Original Item: Only One Available. Here is a very nice .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 condition, this Second Model, 2nd Type Whitney sidearm has the correct three-screw model frame with a 5-shot unrebated cylinder. It is 9 inches in overall length, mated to a 4” long octagonal barrel and ball type latch on the loading lever. The revolver has matching serial number 11749 marked on bottom of barrel, 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.

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

E. WHITNEY
N. HAVEN

Overall the revolver does show wear to the finish, and no longer shows any of the case hardening or bluing it originally had. There are still traces of the original roll engraved cylinder scene, however it is quite faint. Overall the revolver has a polished patina from years of use and cleaning. In spite of this, the original grips are quite nice, and still retain almost all of the original factory varnished finish.

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. As with any revolver of this age however, it can be finicky at times. The bore is quite dark, showing, little lands and groves, and some spotting (2 of 10). Loading lever functions as expected.

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

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1855
Caliber:  .31cal
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 4 inches
Overall Length: 9 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.