Guns International #: 102921491
Seller's Inventory #: 233955

Category - Civil War Revolvers - Antique Revolvers - Percussion

Category
Civil War Revolvers
Antique Revolvers - Percussion

SCARCE CIVIL WAR Antique Raymond & Robitaille PETTENGILL .34 NAVY Revolver 1 of 900 Revolvers Ordered by the U.S. NAVY

Description:
SCARCE CIVIL WAR Antique Raymond & Robitaille PETTENGILL .34 NAVY Revolver

1 of 900 Revolvers Ordered by the U.S. NAVY

Here we present an antique Civil War Raymond & Robitaille C.S. Pettengill Double Action Percussion Navy Revolver, made circa the late 1850s, by Rogers, Spencer & Co. in Willow Vale, NY. The first few hundred Pettengills were produced for the U.S. Navy, as is this example, which saw a total production run of only 900 guns. Only about 3,400 were made in total including the .44 caliber “Army” models. The design was a double action hammerless percussion mechanism initially developed by C.S. Pettengill in the 1850s. In 1856, he was granted a patent for it. By 1857, Samuel Colt’s patents regarding the firing mechanism were expiring and Pettengill’s initial design was improved by Edward A. Raymond and Charles Robitaille, for which they received a patent in 1858. The final improvements were made and patented in 1862 by Henry S. Rogers, partner in the firm Rogers, Spencer & Co. It was Rogers and his company which produced the Pettengill Revolver.

The double action trigger accomplished three things: 1) it revolved the cylinder, 2) dropped the hammer and 3) cocked the hammer again for the next shot. The concept of the Pettengill revolver was well-received, especially as a cavalry weapon, and an order was made of 5,000 by the U.S. Ordnance Department. However, the pistol was trialed in June of 1862, and it failed. The bugs were worked out, but the government cut their contract down to only 2,000 pieces. The contract was fulfilled at the end of 1862.

The barrel differed in length and bore, depending upon which version of the Pettengill was ordered. For the Navy versions, the barrel measured 4-1/2 inches and bored to accept a .34 caliber round. The Army model had a barrel of 7-1/2 inches and was bored for the .44 caliber round. The barrel was also given six rifling grooves, regardless of model. As mentioned, the Pettengill was produced in two different calibers. The “Navy” Model fired a .34 caliber round, which was smaller than other “Navy” revolvers that were chambered in .36 caliber, while the “Army” model fired the standard .44 caliber round.

Per Flayderman regarding the “Army” model, “The 3rd Michigan Cavalry were issued 500 of them. Other mounted outfits issued lesser amounts were the 3rd and 5th Missouri Militia; 1st Arkansas; 3rd Illinois; 3rd Kentucky.” Unfortunately, this was the end of production for the Pettengill. Rogers, Spencer & Co. would go on to purchase the patent for a single action revolver from Austin T. Freeman, quite similar to the Remington Army, and sell 5,000 of them to the government in 1865. It is no coincidence that the front half of the Pettengill and the Rogers, Spencer & Co. look so similar. They are actually identical. Never issued, what some collectors deem the best revolver of the Civil War sat in storage in New York until being purchased by Bannerman & Sons and sold as surplus in 1901.
The overall condition is near fine. Original finish and patina. The action is strong. The bore is very good with sharp rifling. Grips show use and remain solid. Numbers match throughout.

Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.

Barrel is 4-1/2 inches.

Caliber: .34 Percussion

Overall condition as seen in photos.

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ancestryguns

$3600

#233955
 

Price: $3,600.00                     Buy Now

Antique: Yes