Original Item: Only One Available. Here is a very cute .31 caliber percussion revolver with a fluted five shot cylinder made by the Bacon Manufacturing Company. Thomas K. Bacon had been a gunsmith working with the Manhattan Firearms Manufacturing, and then left to found his own company Company and established the Bacon Manufacturing Company in Norwich, Connecticut. The first pistol that they marketed was the fully engraved .31cal "Excelsior" model pistol, with a round cylinder and barrel. Shortly after that model came Bacon's "2nd Model", which is the only version to have the fluted cylinder, like this example has. They were available in 4, 6, and 8 inch barrel lengths.

This find example has the standard standard BACON MFG. CO. NORWICH CONN. marking on the top of the 4 inch barrel, and is 8 1/2 inches in overall length, perfect for a pocket. Approximately 3300 of the 2nd model were made, but only 1400 had the Bacon address. There is no engraving on the frame, as sometimes seen on special order examples. The revolver bears matching serial number 69 on the Grip frame, Cylinder rear, Loading Rammer, Barrel, Barrel wedge, and even on the retainer for the loading rammer. This is a very desirable "ALL MATCHING" example, and it's a great one!

These revolvers were great favorites with Union Officers, who purchased these as a personal second revolver to take into battle. They were easily concealed and most effective, giving the officer an additional 5 shots when needed.

The action works quite nicely, and we did not notice much in the way of finicky behavior, despite the age. The barrel shows clear rifling, but also some wear and light oxidation. Nice old finish, the blue turning to plum brown and gray. The original grips are quite nice, and still retain a lot of the original factory varnished finish.

A great Civil War Private Purchase revolver, ready to display!

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: circa 1858
Caliber:  .31cal
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 4 inches
Overall Length: 8 3/4 inches
Action: Single Only
Feed System: 5 Shot Revolver

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.