A vintage cap and ball percussion sidearm, this revolver is identified to Private Charles Spear of Company G, 21^st Pennsylvania Cavalry. Identification comes through his unit’s ordnance records. 18-year-old Spear was a laborer in Chambersburg, PA when he enrolled for army service on Aug 18, 1862 with the 126^th Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry for nine months. He served until mustered out in May 1863 and then joined the 21^st PA cavalry regiment on July 15, 1863 for a period of 6 months; paperwork for this service has his name spelled as “Speer”. Spear remained with the cavalry until he mustered-out on January 26, 1864 when he re-enlisted as a Veteran Volunteer with the same unit for three years. Private Spear mustered out of the army with the regiment on July 8, 1865 at Lynchburg, VA after serving with the cavalry regiment in all its operations. After the war, Spear returned to Chambersburg, PA, married, gained a pension, and raised a family of five boys. He died from diabetes on February 16, 1889 in his hometown.

His revolver bears the markings of Eli Whitney Company of New Haven, Connecticut. A handsome specimen, this revolver is designated the Navy Second Model Revolver, 4^th Type. In good overall condition, this solid frame sidearm is a .36 caliber, three-screw model frame with a 6-shot unrebated cylinder mated to a 7½” long, octagonal barrel. A total quantity of 33,000 of these handguns were produced from the late 1850’s through the early 1860s with over half the Second Models purchased by the government.

Cylinder has the six safety notches at the back but retains no traces of the original roll engraved scene. The solid frame revolver bears matching serial numbers of “17499” on the iron loading lever and also on the inside of the both grips. The two-piece unvarnished walnut grips are in good condition with smooth even wear and display the rounded juncture with the frame. Grip edges show visible shrinkage at corners.

No original bluing visible on the iron frame, barrel, or hammer. No case colors on the loading lever. All gunmetal retains a dark plum-gray patina. Barrel address marking is the standard two line block letter “E. WHITNEY / N. HAVEN”. Sidearm exhibits a brass trigger guard and an iron backstrap. In mechanically tight and crisp condition, the revolver features an exterior surface that shows scattered light to moderate pitting and wear marks, all consistent with this sidearm’s age and use. All screws are in good to very good condition. Has a number of inspector marks.

This Pennsylvania-identified Whitney .36 caliber ‘Navy’ model revolver would make a fine addition to any collection of military sidearms. Copies of Spear’ military, pension, and ordnance records from the National Archives accompany this revolver.

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