Item:
ONJR22RAJ036

Original U.S. Civil War Whitney 2nd Model 4th Type Tinned .36 Navy Percussion Revolver with Anchor Proof - Serial 23330

Item Description

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice condition example of a U.S. Civil War Whitney Navy percussion revolver, with a desirable U.S. Navy "Anchor" proof, as well as a "tinned" barrel. This plating was usually applied to the barrels of Navy issued examples to help prevent oxidation from the Salty air. The barrels were usually blued, with a case hardened frame. It retains much of the original plated finish, with some wear through on the edges. The rest of the revolver has faded to a nice gray patina, with light peppering in areas, but no major rust that we can see. This is a revolver that saw actual use during the war, and has a great "worn in" look that simply cannot be reproduced.

The underside of the barrel still bears original serial number 23330 under the loading lever, which is also stamped on the inside of both grip scales. The loading lever however is stamped with serial number 23201 on both sides, and the rear of the cylinder is marked with 23162. We would suspect that this revolver was returned to arsenal or the factory with other guns from the same unit, who usually would receive them as a single shipment of nearby serial numbers. Parts were then swapped out, and we see that assembly number 8 has been stamped on the front of the cylinder, under the barrel, and on the grip frame under the grips.

The top of the octagon barrel is still stamped:

E. WHITNEY
N. HAVEN

There is also ordnance sub-inspector marking F.C.W on the left lower frame. This is the marking for civilian inspector Frank C. Warner, who is listed as inspecting Remington M1866 .50RF Pistols, Whitney .36 Percussion Revolvers, Plymouth Rifles, and M1867 Remington Navy Carbines. The left grip scale is stamped with "J.H.M.C.", or something similar, which we cannot quite make out.

The action works well, with good indexing, a firm cylinder lockup, and a crisp dry fire. We did not notice any of the usual finicky behavior we usually see from revolvers of this age. The loading rammer can be removed as designed, allowing removal of the cylinder.

The bore shows strong lands and grooves, but also wear and powder fouling, typical of used percussion revolvers. There are two rings of oxidation, possibly from stuck bullets removed long ago. All of the original nipples are present, and clear, though they do show oxidation and wear on the exterior. The small brass trigger guard (correct for this model) has a pleasing aged patina, and the original brass-post front site is still intact.

Overall this is a great service used example of a scarce "Tinned" Whitney Navy that was used in the Civil War, and even has a Naval "Anchor" proof. This will be a fine addition to your collection of Civil War arms of a really hard to find revolver offered in fully functional condition.

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: 1863-64
Caliber: .36cal
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 7 5/8 inches
Overall Length: 13 1/2 inches
Action: Single - Percussion Cap
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver

More on the Whitney Navy Revolver:

The Whitney Navy is a 6-shot, .36 caliber, single action percussion revolver that was manufactured from the late 1850s through the early 1860s. The revolver went into production after Colt's patent on his revolver mechanism expired in 1857. The first 1,500 or so (aka "1st Model" Whitney Navy revolvers) were manufactured without a loading lever and were of lighter construction than the later 2nd Model revolvers. Between the Whitney desire to improve upon the guns, and the habit of making design changes when parts on hand ran out, both the 1st and 2nd Models were manufactured in a number of different "types" with a clear pattern of evolution that took place throughout their production. Some 33,000 Whitney Navy revolvers were produced during the production run, with many seeing US government use. The US Army acquired 10,587 of the revolvers between 1861 and 1864 and the US Navy purchased an additional 6,226 between 1863 and 1865. The state of New Jersey purchased 920 Whitney Navy revolvers in 1863, but 792 of those guns were subsequently resold to the US Army in 1863 and 1864. Those guns are included in the US Army purchases listed above.

A number of Whitney Navy revolvers also appear to have been acquired by the South and saw service during the American Civil War. Some were purchased prior to the outbreak of hostilities, and these guns tend to early production 2nd Model revolvers produced prior to the spring of 1861. A good example is Whitney Navy #3110, which was owned by Confederate cavalry general J.E.B. Stuart, and is now in the collection of the Virginia Historical Society. However, Confederate forces acquired many more Whitney Navy revolvers after the conflict started. These later production guns were no doubt obtained through a combination of capturing weapons and purchasing the guns surreptitiously from secondary retailers rather than Whitney. At least two-dozen Whitney Navy revolvers are known to have been repaired for use by the 4th Virginia "Black Horse" Cavalry, and a handful of identified Whitney Navy revolvers with Confederate provenance exist was well.

It is not surprising that the revolver found favor on both sides of the Mason-Dixon line, as the robust design with a reinforcing top strap, a solid frame with a screwed in barrel and the simple turn of a wing nut to release the loading lever and cylinder arbor were all significant improvements over the open topped frame and wedge-retained barrel of the Colt design. The popularity of the revolvers in the south is further indicated by the fact that the design was copied by Confederate gunmakers Spiller & Burr and T.W. Cofer, both of whom produced Whitney-like revolvers for the south.

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