Savage Revolving Fire-Arms Co. Navy Model, Rare Blue & Case Colored 7 1/8” 6-Shot Civil War Era Revolver, MFD 1860’s Antique
Sold For: $1,430.00
LSB#: 161128LV50
Make: Savage Revolving Fire-Arms Co.
Model: Navy Model
Serial Number: 621
Year of Manufacture: 1860-1864
Caliber: .36 Caliber Ball
Action Type: 6-Shot, Ring-Lever Cocked, Single Action Percussion Revolver
Markings: The top of the frame strap is marked “SAVAGE R.F.A. CO. H.S. NORTH PATENTED JUNE 17, 1856 / JAN. 18, 1859, MAY 15, 1860”, though most of the markings are faded. The top of the barrel and left side of the frame are inspector marked “T”. The right of the grip frame has the serial number of “621”.
Barrel Length: 7 1/8”, Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass post, screwed into the barrel. The rear sight is a “V” notched rise in the frame on the top strap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are smooth walnut with a hand rubbed oil finish. The left panel has a chip loss at the rear edge, with a rounded loss on the toe, the flank has a few gouges. The right panel has scrapes and 5 “Kill Notches”; these notches look to be very old, though we do not have any documentation to support their validity. Both panels have heavy marks on the butt areas. The grips rate in about Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: The finish is blue with a case hardened hammer, lever, trigger guard and trigger.
Finish Originality: The surfaces were cleaned at some point, the remaining finish is original.
Bore Condition: The bore is dark and the rifling is lightly defined. There is a sprinkling of pin prick erosion with some deeper pitting present in the bore.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 2% of its metal finish, seen as blue on the underside of the barrel at the loading lever. The surfaces show some grind marks, dark spots of patina and areas of pitting, please see our pictures. The general forma nd line of the metal features are still retained, the nipples have heavier erosion, we could not see light through the flash holes of the cylinder. The screw heads are moderately tooled. The markings are faded. Overall, this handgun rates in about Fair Plus condition.
Mechanics: This revolver has a unique ring-lever in the ‘heart shaped trigger guard’, which brings the cylinder back, while advancing to the next chamber; with the lever held back, the smaller upper trigger releases the hammer. The cylinder produces heavy side to side play. The revolver has a loading lever, intriquging off-set components to provide balance, and an oddly comfortable rounded grip strap which forces the user to grip low on the item. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: According to Flayderman’s Guide, about 20,000 civilian and military Savage R.F.A. Navy Model pistols were produced from 1860 until the mid 1860’s, putting its production in the American Civil War years; this pistol bears martial inspector mark “T” on the frame and barrel, indicating purchase by the Army, which neared 11,000 in total. With the ‘kill notches’ on the right grip panel and obvious veterain status of this revolver, it is sure to spawn decades of conversation on the potential role it played in America’s history. We’ve seen some odd mechanisms on Civil War era firearms but this one takes the cake. Looking cumbersome at first, upon handling, one can see why members of the Cavalry would have liked this heafty, quick pointing and unique lever action pistol. Please see our pictures.
