Patent Infringement Revolver Sued by S&W

This is a brass frame Pond pocket revolver, manufactured circa 1861 in Worcester, Massachusetts.

The Pond revolver was the subject of a lawsuit in 1862 over patent infringement. The court ruled in favor of Smith & Wesson. However, Pond (along with Bacon, Moore, and Warner) who were also found infringing on the patent, were able to continue producing their revolvers on the grounds that they would be marked “Manuf’d for Smith & Wesson Pat’d April 5, 1855”. The final run of 4,486 of Pond’s revolvers were marked as the court demanded, with production ending in 1870.

This revolver has a 6” octagonal barrel with brass blade site at the muzzle. This is a pre-lawsuit production gun (serial number 164) with the top flat marked only “L.W. POND  WORCHEST” and the left flat stamped “PATD JULY 10, 1860.” Gun metal is gray with scattered brown spotting overall. Bore is dirty but retains rifling. The frame is brass and now has a mellow tone. Brass has scattered scratches and wear from use. The frame is hinged at the top and breaks open to allow the shooter to load the cylinder. The pin that holds the frame closed was replaced with an “L”-shaped wire (which works fine).

This is a six shot .32 caliber rimfire with small spur trigger. Hammer only holds at full cock; not at half cock. The cylinder is very tight and does not index. It appears the cylinder pin may have a slight bend causing the tightness between the cylinder and the frame. The dark walnut grip remains in very nice condition. The brass backstrap is numbered “164” on the butt. An empty screw hole in the butt was where a small screwdriver was originally placed. Cylinder and cylinder pin are also numbered “164”.

In well-worn condition overall, but a scarce Pond revolver with Smith & Wesson patent infringement association. [jet] [ph:L]

DISCLAIMER: All firearms are sold as collector's items only - we do not accept responsibility as to the shooting safety or reliability of any antique firearm. All firearms are described as accurately as possible, given the restraints of a catalog listing length. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. Any city or state regulations regarding owning antique firearms are the responsibility of the purchaser. All firearms are "mechanically perfect" unless noted, but again, are NOT warranted as safe to fire.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS.

THANK YOU!