SCARCE Post-CIVIL WAR Antique WHITNEYVILLE ARMORY .32 RF No. 1 1/2 Revolver 1 of 14,000 Manufactured at Whitneyville Armory

Product Description

SCARCE Post-CIVIL WAR Antique WHITNEYVILLE ARMORY .32 RF No. 1 1/2 Revolver

1 of 14,000 Manufactured at Whitneyville Armory

Here we present an antique Whitney Model No. 1-1/2 Revolver, made circa the 1870s in New Haven, Connecticut. This model is one of several breech loading pocket revolvers manufactured by the famous Whitneyville Armory circa 1871 to 1879. Around 14,000 of these 5-shot revolvers are estimated to have been manufactured Eli Whitney Jr.’s Whitneyville Armory in the 1870s. This example has the standard “Whitneyville” markings.

Eli Whitney Sr. established his Whitneyville Armory in 1798 and produced firearms (among other things) by contract for the young U.S. government. Just prior to this, in 1793, Whitney invented the mechanical cotton gin, which dramatically changed the economic landscape in the U.S., namely in the South. While his invention was a labor-saving device, making the processing of harvested cotton extremely efficient and requiring fewer laborers, his machine caused the market for cotton to explode and more laborers were needed to plant, grow and harvest the crop. This resulted in a corresponding boom in the Southern slave trade. Great fortunes were created, and the population of the South became such that one in three Southerners were slaves. All this provided the fuel that would become the raze that was the American Civil War.

Eli Whitney died in 1825, and his son, Eli Whitney Jr., began running the family business in 1841. Whitney Jr. seized the opportunity in 1847 to manufacture 1,000 of Samuel Colt’s latest revolver, the Colt Walker revolver. Production of this revolver helped both parties immensely as it kept Colt in business, and it allowed Whitney Jr. to tool up and gain experience making revolvers. With the expiration of Colt’s patents in 1857, Whitney began production of percussion revolvers based on Colt’s patents, some of them very closely copied.

The overall condition is fine. Original nickel finish. Excellent action. With serviceable rifling, the bore has dimmed with a some spots of pitting. Both grips are in good shape but are undersized. Markings are legible. Visible numbers match.

Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.

Barrel is 3-1/4 inches.

Caliber: .32 Rimfire

Overall condition as seen in photos.

Very Fast. Very Safe. FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE. Delivered directly to your door by express mail!

Guaranteed AUTHENTIC & Includes CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY.

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$900
#250243