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ROGERS & SPENCER “ARMY” REVOLVER

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The Rogers & Spencer “Army” revolver was likely the pinnacle of single-action percussion revolver design, but unfortunately the 5,000 revolvers purchased by the US government never made it into the field before the end of the American Civil War.

The firm of Rogers & Spencer was formed by Amos Rogers and Julius Spencer in 1837 in Willowville, NY, near Utica. The firm secured a contract in November of 1864 for 5,000 revolvers of their design, at the rate of $12.00 per revolver, with deliveries to be made at the rate of 500 per month, starting in January of 1865.

Rogers & Spencer delivered the first 500 revolvers from their new contract on January 30, 1865, and continued to deliver 500 pistols approximately every 30 days for the next nine months, with the final delivery made on September 26, 1865. As such, only 1,500 of the revolvers were delivered to the US government prior to the cessation of hostilities between the North and the South. Even those 1,500 guns failed to make it into the field before the end of the war, and all of the guns remained in storage at the New York Arsenal for the next 35 years. The revolvers were purchased at a US Government surplus auction in 1901 by the firm of Francis Bannerman. Bannerman purchased roughly 30,000 surplus military revolvers at that auction, including 4,982 Rogers & Spencer revolvers, at the rate of 25.27 cents each, a mere fraction of their original price of $12 each!

This “Army” revolver is in good condition, and displays scattered patchy areas of its original blue, with the balance a smooth pewter tone. The metal has the typical scattered light bumps and dings. The revolver is serial number 4541, and that number appears on the left side of the frame, on the side of the cylinder, on the loading lever, under the barrel (concealed by the loading lever) and on the bottom of the grip frame. The octagonal barrel is approximately 7.5” long and screwed into the frame. The top of the frame is strongly stamped, “ROGERS & SPENCER / UTICA, N-Y.” The gun is also marked with sub-inspector stamps, with the letter B being found throughout. The action of the pistol is very good and remains quite tight. The bore remains clear with very sharp rifling. The original cones (nipples) are all in place and remain sharp as well.

The two-piece, oil finished grips are in very fine condition. A few minor dings from handling and storage over the years. The left grip panel is clearly marked with a faint cartouche.

A very nice revolver.  [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.

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