Dscn9249

Civil War Washington Navy Ordnance Yard Tested for US Gov't 1864 Whitney Navy Rev

A very nice example of a Martial Whitney Navy revolver used in the Civil War. This Whitney revolver has the Navy anchor on the barrel & was inspected by Lieutenant William N. Jeffers who was the second officer to command the USS Monitor. The serial number on this Gov't Navy is 26001 which is found on the records of Washington Navy yard to have been tested on December 8, 1864. This Whitney is a late 4th or very early 5th type model as it has characteristics of both. This is a standard Whitney revolver in .36 cal. 6 shot with a 7 1/2" barrel. The serial no. 26001 is found on the top of cylinder, loading lever, inside each wood grip, barrel, bottom from frame & bottom of brass trigger guard. The gov't inspector initials are on the front of cylinder W N J with a P above. Other inspectors mks X, Y & other P is on other parts. Top of barrel is stamped with W. Whitney N.Haven & the US Navy anchor. Action is excellent on this Civil War Navy revolver. Metal is smooth with dark patina & has traces of the original finish intact. The brass trigger guard has a great mellow patina. The original front sight is intact & the original wood grips in good used condition. The papers on where & when this revolver was tested at the Washington naval yard is on page 96 of Daniel E. Williams, Jr. book The Whitney Navy Revolver along with pics & info on the Military US Navy used Whitney Navy revolvers. A really nice example of the CW US Navy used Whitney Navy Percussion revolver. Who knows what ships this revolver was on in the War.