SOLD - Rare Rogers & Spencer .44 Caliber Army Revolver

Description

11/17/22 - This is a very nice example of a rare Rogers & Spencer .44 Caliber Army Revolver. 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, not far from Utica. The company is probably most famous for producing the Pettengill family of revolvers. In 1859, they were hired to manufacture guns of the CS Pettengill design, but when the Pettengill company failed, Rogers & Spencer purchased the rights to the design and continued with production of the revolvers. This led to a contract in 1861 to produce 2,000 .44 caliber “Army” sized Pettengill revolvers, which Rogers & Spencer delivered between October 1862 and January 1863. The firm subsequently managed to secure a contract in November of 1864 for 5,000 revolvers of their own 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. This particular example is almost entirely matching, but the loading rod is mismatched and the barrel appears to have been re-numbered to match. The gun has retained roughly 45% of its original high polish fire-blue finish. There is splotchy discoloration and areas of desirable "attic patina" throughout. There is some light scratching and some tiny dings at the front end of the frame. Comes with correct wood grips (numbered but not matching) that just have minor bruising, to be expected with a gun this old. The bore is excellent - shiny with strong rifling. Fully functional. The gun comes with a custom-made case, percussion cap tool, cleaning rod, some percussion caps, and a few lead bullets.