Original Item: Only One Available. This is a nice solid example of the Savage Navy Model, a six shot .36 caliber revolver, was made from 1861 until 1862 with a total production of only 20,000 guns. This unique military revolver was one of the few handguns that was produced only for Civil War use. Its design was based on the antebellum Savage-North "figure eight" revolver. The Savage Navy had a unique way of cocking the hammer. The shooter used his middle finger to draw back the "figure 8" lever and then released it forward to cock the hammer and rotate the cylinder.
This is a nice example, manufactured in 1861 or 1862. Overall the pistol is in good condition with typical age and minor pitting thoughout, functions excellently and is completely original. The cylinder and chambers show minor pitting, bore is decent and the nipples are intact, which is quite rare for this style revolver, the hammer tension is strong.
The barrel stamping reads-
SAVAGE R.F.A CO MIDDLETOWN. CT
H.S. NORTH PATENTED JUNE 17 1856
JANUARY 19 1859 MAY 15 1860
These are always hard to find, especially below $2500, now is your chance!
History of the Savage 1861 Model .36 Cal-
The Union purchased just fewer than 12,000 of these initially at $19.00 apiece for use by its cavalry units. Savage Navy revolvers were issued to the 1st and 2nd Wisconsin U.S. Volunteer Cavalry regiments, and 5th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry while the State of Missouri issued 292 Savage revolvers to its Missouri Enrolled Militia units.
The remaining revolvers were purchased by private means and shipped to the Confederacy for use with the 34th Battalion of Virginia Cavalry (Witcher's Nighthawks), the 35th Battalion of Virginia Cavalry (White's Rebels), 11th Texas Cavalry, 7th Virginia Cavalry (Ashby's Cavalry), and 7th Missouri Cavalry. The United States Navy also made a small purchase of 800 Savages during 1861 for use on its ships.
The Savage-North revolver is a direct descendant of the Savage & North Figure 8 Model Revolver and the Alsop revolver sharing many similarities with both arms. Alsop was also located in Middletown, CT. and three members of the Alsop family served on the Savage Revolving Firearms Company board of directors. Therefore, the relationship between the two companies and the two weapons was more than coincidental.
