Now this is a conversation starter! The Savage 1861 Navy Revolver is without a doubt one of the oddest looking guns of the Civil War. These pistols were produced by the Savage Revolving Firearms Company, who produced M1861 contract muskets for the Government as well. These ungainly revolvers were "self cocking" meaning that the weapon was fired by first pulling the lower ring trigger to cock the hammer and rotate the cylinder before the top trigger could be pulled to drop the hammer and fire the gun. These pistols were also the first "gas-sealing" revolvers as pulling the ring trigger to rotate the cylinder would also move the cylinder forward to seal against the forcing cone of the barrel. The advantage to these gas sealing revolvers is that they minimize pressure loss from cylinder gaps and thus increase the velocity of the bullet.
This particular Savage is in very good condition with a pleasing, honest patina and a crisp legible manufacturer's stamp.
The most outstanding feature about this pistol is the fact that it actually works! We've had Savages in the past that we've ended up "parting out" because their actions were too worn to be restored, but that's not the case with this revolver. The action is crisp and feels very solid. The hammer and cylinder both lock up reliably and the action doesn't slip or bind up.
The bore is good with some minor scattered pitting near the breech, but otherwise sharp, crisp rifling. The chambers are all in excellent condition with no major pitting or damage.
The gun is all original with the exception of a replacement loading lever screw. It features a very attractive, honest patina, with some original bluing remaining in the protected areas.
The grips are intact with a nice, legible inspector's cartouche on the left side grip panel. The right grip panel features some minor drying cracks, but is stable and otherwise in good condition.
This ugly duckling revolver is sure to be the pride and joy of anyone's collection, and with its crisp action and nice bore, it will certainly turn heads at the range!
