{"product_id":"original-u-s-civil-war-whitney-2nd-model-4th-type-tinned-36-navy-percussion-revolver-with-anchor-proof-serial-23330","title":"Original U.S. Civil War Whitney 2nd Model 4th Type Tinned .36 Navy Percussion Revolver with Anchor Proof - Serial 23330","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal 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 \u003cstrong\u003e\"Anchor\"\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe underside of the barrel still bears original serial number \u003cstrong\u003e23330\u003c\/strong\u003e under the loading lever, which is also stamped on the inside of both grip scales. The loading lever however is stamped with serial number \u003cstrong\u003e23201\u003c\/strong\u003e on both sides, and the rear of the cylinder is marked with \u003cstrong\u003e23162\u003c\/strong\u003e. 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 \u003cstrong\u003e8\u003c\/strong\u003e has been stamped on the front of the cylinder, under the barrel, and on the grip frame under the grips.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe top of the octagon barrel is still stamped:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE. WHITNEY\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eN. HAVEN\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is also ordnance sub-inspector marking \u003cstrong\u003eF.C.W\u003c\/strong\u003e on the left lower frame. This is the marking for civilian inspector Frank C. Warner, who is listed as inspecting \u003cem\u003eRemington M1866 .50RF Pistols, Whitney .36 Percussion Revolvers, Plymouth Rifles, and M1867 Remington Navy Carbines\u003c\/em\u003e. The left grip scale is stamped with \"J.H.M.C.\", or something similar, which we cannot quite make out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: 1863-64\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: .36cal\u003cbr\u003eAmmunition Type: Cap and Ball\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 7 5\/8 inches\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 13 1\/2 inches\u003cbr\u003eAction: Single - Percussion Cap\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: 6 Shot Revolver\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMore on the Whitney Navy Revolver:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt 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 \u0026amp; Burr and T.W. Cofer, both of whom produced Whitney-like revolvers for the south.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNOTE: 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40222861819973,"sku":"ONJR22RAJ036","price":1895.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/products\/ONJR22RAJ036__01.jpg?v=1659148945","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-civil-war-whitney-2nd-model-4th-type-tinned-36-navy-percussion-revolver-with-anchor-proof-serial-23330","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}