Original Item. Only One Available. This is a stunning service used example of the Savage Navy Model, a six shot .36 caliber revolver, which was made from 1861 until 1862 with a total production of only 20,000 guns. This unique military revolver was one of the few handguns that was produced only for Civil War use, and it is one of the rarer primary-issue sidearms of the war. Its design was based on the antebellum Savage-North "figure eight" revolver. The Savage Navy had a unique way of cocking the hammer, where the shooter used his middle finger to draw back the "figure 8" lever and then released it forward, which would cock the hammer and rotate the cylinder.

This is a lovely lightly patinated early produced example, almost certainly manufactured in 1861. It bears the very low serial number 498, which is marked on the underside of the barrel, the interior frame under the grips, and the rear of the cylinder. There is no marking on the cylinder ratchet, and the grip scales do have some pencil number markings, however they are unfortunately no longer legible. It is very well marked with a mottled finish overall, looking to have seen light to moderate service during the war. There is some past fouling and powder burn around the forcing cone, which is relatively common.

The upper frame stamping is still crisp and reads-

SAVAGE R.F.A CO MIDDLETOWN. CT
H.S. NORTH PATENTED JUNE 17 1856
JANUARY 19 1859 MAY 15 1860

The grips are heavily worn as shown, and show wear around the bottoms. They look to have been refinished at some point, and the original screw and fittings have been replaced with a threaded rod and brass flathead nut. The revolver has no functional deficiencies and works as intended, with accurate indexing and a crisp dry fire. The figure 8 trigger still cycles the cylinder very well, and the trigger pull is relatively well adjusted. The loading rammer works well, and can be removed along with the cylinder arbor pin to take down the revolver, though the retaining screw is a replacement. We checked the bore, and it is in very good condition, showing a mostly bright finish with clear lands and grooves. There is some past fouling and oxidation near the muzzle and forcing cone, but this is definitely a great bore for this era of revolver. All of the cap nipple cones on the cylinder look to be original, and most are clear, though due to the orientation it is very hard to get light through.

These are always hard to find, especially in this very good condition with a lovely bore, now is your chance! Ready to add to your civil war collection and display!

Specifications:
Year of Manufacture: c.1861
Caliber: .36cal
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 7 inches
Overall Length: 14 inches
Action: Single Action
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver

History of the Savage 1861 Model .36 Cal-

The Union purchased just fewer than 12,000 of these initially at $19.00 apiece for use by its cavalry units. Savage Navy revolvers were issued to the 1st and 2nd Wisconsin U.S. Volunteer Cavalry regiments, and 5th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry while the State of Missouri issued 292 Savage revolvers to its Missouri Enrolled Militia units.

The remaining revolvers were purchased by private means and shipped to the Confederacy for use with the 34th Battalion of Virginia Cavalry (Witcher's Nighthawks), the 35th Battalion of Virginia Cavalry (White's Rebels), 11th Texas Cavalry, 7th Virginia Cavalry (Ashby's Cavalry), and 7th Missouri Cavalry. The United States Navy also made a small purchase of 800 Savages during 1861 for use on its ships.

The Savage-North revolver is a direct descendant of the Savage & North Figure 8 Model Revolver and the Alsop revolver sharing many similarities with both arms. Alsop was also located in Middletown, CT. and three members of the Alsop family served on the Savage Revolving Firearms Company board of directors. Therefore, the relationship between the two companies and the two weapons was more than coincidental.

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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.

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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.