This is a .31 caliber, five shot revolver. One of approximately 13,000 produced from 1858 through the early 1860s. This revolver is serial numbered 8078, which places this example in the range of 5^th pattern guns.

This specific style is known as the 5^th pattern and differs from previous generations in only a few small ways including available barrel lengths, offered calibers, and cylinder fluting.  As is typical of most “pocket” revolvers of the Civil War period. A 4 ¼” octagonal barrel (4.4” if measured from the barrel threads to the muzzle). Originally, “THE UNION / ARMS CO” was stamped on the top flat, but the stamping on this example is mostly worn away. This is the first pattern to feature a groove along the top of the frame to integrate the sights into the body of the pistol. The trigger guard is brass. The serial number (8080) is found on the bottom of the frame to the front of the brass trigger guard. The corresponding last two digits of that serial number (80) are also stamped on the left side of the loading lever.

This example exhibits a timing issue common among surviving examples – the hammer can be cocked, but will not rotate the cylinder, likely an issue with one of the springs that feeds the internal rotating lever/blade into the grooves that rotate the cylinder.  The bore can be characterized as “dull”, but the rifling is still strong.  The crown of the muzzle is undamaged save for surface oxidation.  Each cylinder chamber is in good condition with little evidence of pitting, suggesting the pistol was properly cleaned after use.

All told, this is a great piece of Civil War weaponry that could be commonly found among soldiers – many of whom abandoned them in favor of more commonly available sidearms in service calibers that had greater parts compatibility.  Innovation at the start of the war reached a fever pitch, and many contractors rushed to patent new designs to secure government purchase contracts to quickly arm the new volunteer forces. This pistol is an accessibly-priced model that was based on Remington designs of the period and saw service with thousands of US and CS troops throughout the conflict in many roles – from a privately purchased “backup” weapon, to a Bona fide service pistol.

Every comprehensive Civil War weapon collection needs an example of each type in service.  This is a great chance to add one of the more obscure pistols of the war to your collection.  [cm][ph:cm/L]

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