ALLEN & WHEELOCK .44 CAL. CENTER HAMMER ARMY PERCUSSION REVOLVER

ALLEN & WHEELOCK .44 CAL. CENTER HAMMER ARMY PERCUSSION REVOLVER

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$2,795.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 1099-47

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The Allen & Wheelock Center Hammer Army percussion revolver was manufactured in rather limited quantities, with production estimated by most published arms historians at only about 700 guns. We do know that 536 were purchased by the Federal government in 1861. Nearly all those guns were subsequently issued to the 2nd & 3rd Michigan Volunteer Cavalry regiments. These revolvers were purchased on the open-market, they were not marked with any US military markings. The small letter sub-inspection marks on the metal and cartouches on the grips are only found on the revolvers acquired via an official Ordnance Department contract. This means that there is no way to verify whether an Allen & Wheelock Army revolver is a US military acquired gun or not, other than the few “serial numbers” that have been found in various records.

The Allen & Wheelock Army Revolver was a .44 caliber, six-shot, percussion single action revolver that had a 7 ½” half-round and half-octagon barrel that utilized a unique ratcheting loading lever that formed the trigger guard of the revolver. The frames and barrels of the revolvers were blued with the hammers and loading lever/trigger guards color casehardened. The grips were smooth two-piece walnut that were usually varnished but, appear to have been oil finished on some extant examples. Despite the relatively small number produced, the revolvers were manufactured in three distinct variants. It seems fairly certain that the guns were not “serial numbered” per-se but, were marked on major parts with assembly numbers. The numbers were usually placed on the left side of the frame (under the grip), on the inner surface of the trigger guard portion of the loading lever, on the rear of the cylinder, on the cylinder arbor pin and inside both wooden grip panels.

The Allen & Wheelock Center Hammer Army offered here is in about good well used condition. It is a one of the early production, 1st variant, revolvers with the cones (nipples) installed from the interior of the cylinder, with the complicated lock work and the hammer suspended from the side plate screw, which enters from the right side of the frame. The revolver is serial (or assembly) numbered 110. This three-digit number appears on the inside of the frame and under the loading lever. The walnut grips are miss-matched and stamped 400. Numbers were not observed on the rear of the cylinder or on the arbor pin. The heavily worn patina matches all parts throughout the gun.

The gun appears to be essentially complete, correct and period. The gun retains none of its blued finish, a not uncommon condition to find Allen revolvers in. The blue tended to flake very badly on Allen & Wheelock revolvers, so finding one with more than traces of finish is quite difficult. The gun has a mostly smooth, mottled oxidized brownish-gray patina. The metal appears to have been cleaned at some point in the past and the gun is now developing an attractive patina with areas of dark and gun metal grey contrasting. There are some small, scattered patches of light pitting on much of the surface. The metal also shows small impact marks with dings and mars scattered around the gun but, nothing unsightly. As would be expected, the cylinder chambers and percussion cone recesses show moderate oxidation and some pitting as well. The bore of the revolver is very dark with some rifling visible. Normally the guns are marked in two lines, on the left octagonal barrel flat. On this gun, the two-line stamping is worn and only legible towards the rear of the die. The original front brass sight and blade are present.

The pistol functions correctly and remains mechanically strong with half cock. In terms of firing, the revolver times, indexes and locks up as it should. The cylinder rotates when the hammer is cocked and the trigger functions correctly as well. The loading lever works and operates exactly as it should. All of the six cones (nipples) are original, and they are in very good, usable condition. The right side of the recoil shield is broken off almost flush with the frame, above the capping cut out. The walnut grips rate about good overall with light varnish remaining. They have initials “J.N.” carved on one half and “1863” carved on the other.

Overall, this is a solid example of an early production Allen & Wheelock Center Hammer Army percussion revolver. The gun is in nice, complete condition, and displays well with an attractive patina. This would be a good addition to any collection of secondary martial revolvers and will certainly look nice in your collection. [stp][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!

 

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