Guns International #: 102819622
Seller's Inventory #: 244541
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Guns International #: 102819622
Category - Civil War Revolvers
- Whitney Revolvers
CIVIL WAR Antique U.S. Contract WHITNEY ARMS .36 Percussion NAVY Revolver
With Inscription to “A.C Neal” on the Frame
Description: CIVIL WAR Antique U.S. Contract WHITNEY ARMS .36 Percussion NAVY Revolver With Inscription to “A.C Neal” on the Frame Here we present an antique U.S. Contract Whitney Navy Revolver, made circa 1862-63 in New Haven, Connecticut with a production run between 1857 and 1865. The most famous and easily recognized revolver manufactured by Eli Whitney Jr. was his Navy Model. This revolver came onto the scene four years prior to the American Civil War with its 1st Model. An improved 2nd Model was developed as the war began and sales flourished as Whitney worked hard to market his revolver. Approximately 35,500 Whitney Navy revolvers were manufactured, including 1,500 of the First Model and 34,000 of the Second Model. Whitney obtained a contract with the U.S. Army in 1862 and provided around 7,600 through 1863. Including purchases through private vendors, the Army obtained over 10,000 of these revolvers. Between 1863 and 1865, the U.S. Navy purchased 6,226 Whitney Navy revolvers. Consequently, around 50% of all the Whitney Navy revolvers produced were purchased by the Army and Navy. Eli Whitney died in 1825, and his son, Eli Whitney Jr., began running the family business in 1841. Whitney Jr. seized the opportunity in 1847 to manufacture 1,000 of Samuel Colt’s latest revolver the Colt Walker revolver. Production of this revolver helped both parties immensely as it kept Colt in business, and it allowed Whitney Jr. to tool up and gain experience making revolvers. With the expiration of Colt’s patents in 1857, Whitney began production of percussion revolvers based on Colt’s patents, some of them very closely copied. The Whitney Navy Revolver came about when Fordyce Beals—later of Remington-Beal fame—came to work for the company. He was the primary designer, which was indeed why the Remington-Beals Navy and Army Revolvers came to look so much like the Whitney. The Whitney has the distinction of being one of the first successful solid framed revolvers. As their production began before the war in about 1857, both the Union and the Confederacy utilized them in the American Civil War. One very notable character known to have used the Whitney Navy was Confederate Cavalry General J.E.B. Stuart. As mentioned above, many of these were purchased by the U.S. government and by individual soldiers for use in the Civil War. The overall condition is good. Bright nickel refinishing. Excellent action. The bore is dim with good rifling. Solid grips. There is a period inscription that appears to read “A.C. Neal” on the bottom of the grip frame of the gun. According to records, there were three soldiers (all Privates) enlisted with these initials and last name: two from Ohio and one from Indiana. They include Alexander C. Neal of Company F of the OH 70th Infantry who died of disease 2 years and 2 months into his service, Augustus C. Neal of the OH 154th Infantry, and another Augustus C. Neal (possibly the same one) who enlisted in the IN 155th Infantry and was promoted to Sergeant before he mustered out in August 1865. Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction. Barrel is 7-5/8 inches. Caliber: .36 Percussion Overall condition as seen in photos. Very Fast. Very Safe. FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE. Delivered directly to your door by express mail! Guaranteed AUTHENTIC & Includes CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY. ancestryguns $2000 #244541 Price: $2,000.00 Buy Now Antique: Yes Contact Seller |
Guns International #: 102819622
Seller's Inventory #: 244541
Guns International #: 102819622
Seller's Inventory #: 244541