Original Item: Only One Available. Here is a very nice nickel plated .31 caliber percussion revolver with a fluted five shot cylinder made by the famous Eli Whitney company in New Haven, Connecticut. Designated the Whitney Pocket Model Revolver, this type revolver is a 31 caliber sidearm of which a total of 32,500 such handguns were produced at the Whitneyville Armory manufacturing center in the Whitneyville section of New Haven, Connecticut from 1859 through the early 1860s. 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.

In good refinished condition, this Second Model, 2nd Type Whitney sidearm has the correct three-screw model frame with a 5-shot unrebated cylinder. It is 11 inches in overall length, mated to a 6” long octagonal barrel and ball type latch on the loading lever. The revolver has matching serial number 9491marked on the loading rammer, and on the inside of both grip scales. As far as we can tell, this revolver is matching, and has not had any parts swapped out during its service life, however the Nickel plating removed the serial number under the barrel, and has made the other markings a bit faint. It looks like it definitely had seen a good amount of service prior to being refinished.

The top of the barrel still has the correct original Whitney address marking:

E. WHITNEY
N. HAVEN

Overall the revolver looks great, with the Nickel-plating well retained, with just a bit of oxidation and wear. The cylinder has no traces of the original markings due to the wear and refinishing. The original grips still retain almost all of their original "Piano Varnish" finish, with wear at the bottom. There is also some chipping on the bottom of the left side grip scale.

The action works quite nicely, with a good cylinder lock up and a crisp dry fire. It indexes well and holds half cock and full cock. We did not notice of any of the usual finicky behavior that we see on revolvers of this age. The bore is in very good condition, showing crisp lands and grooves with a mostly bright finish. There is some overall fouling and oxidation, but for a Civil War percussion revolver, it's really in great shape. The cap nipple cone are all clear, showing powder burn on the exterior.

A great Civil War Private Purchase secondary revolver, later refinished after the war and ready to display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1855
Caliber:  .31cal
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 6 inches
Overall Length: 11 inches
Action: Single Only
Feed System: 5 Shot Revolver

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