Make: Rogers & Spencer

Model: Army Model 1864, Cartridge Converted Revolver

Serial Number: 1299

Year of Manufacture: 1865

Caliber: .45 Centerfire

Action Type: 6-Shot, Single Action Percussion Revolver

Markings: The top of the frame is marked “ROGERS & SPENCER / UTICA, N.Y.”, the underside is marked with serial number “1299”, found again on the left of the frame, cylinder, butt of the grip frame, and inside of the grip panels. The left of the barrel and frame have inspector mark “B”, the right of the items are marked “B”, the underside of the frame is marked with a “Shield”, and the trigger guard is marked “B”. The left grip panel has a faint inspector mark “RPB”.

Barrel Length: 7 ½”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a domed bead, screwed into the barrel. The rear sight is a “V” notch in the frame.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are varnished walnut with matching serial numbers to the frame, showing very heavy marks on the butt of both panels. Chunks are missing from the butt mostly on the right side; the stocks have some variances in fit to the grip frame but are quite shy of the frame near the heel of the butt. The grips rating is about Fair overall condition.

Type of Finish: Bright Blue

Finish Originality: Factory Original

Bore Condition: The bore is surprisingly bright and the rifling is sharp and defined. There are two spots of pinprick corrosion on the side wall. The bore rates a 10/10 in this writer’s opinion.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 75% of its metal finish. Most wear to metal is found on the frame and cylinder, with much lighter wear on the barrel. The surfaces have been kept well and display an original blue finish rarely seen these days. There is however some sporadic oxidation and patina. The underside of the trigger guard has light scuffs, the butt has deep gouges, consistent with marks on the butt of the grip panels, looking to have been used as a striking tool. The hammer’s striking cone is slightly warped. The loading lever assembly has been removed and replaced by a rod to allow the weapon to be functional again. This replacement part could be timely to just after the war or later on in life. The screw heads are generally tooled, some have minor marring in the slots. The markings are legible, faded in some areas. Overall, this handgun rates in about Fair to Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder produces a mild play in full lockup, the hammer return spring is weak, the mainspring of the hammer is strong, and the hammer cocks back in 3 positions. The revolver’s cylinder and frame were modified to accept self-contained metallic cartridges, something that would not have been done until after the war. The replacement rod where the original loading lever assembly was could have been put in place in the aftermath of the war when the conversion was done or could have been done sometime later. 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: The revolver is accompanied by a leather holster and belt the holster is in good condition and the belt is in fair condition.

Our Assessment: From a November commission from the Government to create 5,000 Rogers & Spencer revolvers; Production did not begin until 1865, and the end of the war preceded mass production. As a result, the weapon was only used sporadically in the Civil War. Production was soon stopped due to a lack of demand. Of the 5,800 weapons produced, the government took over 5,000 and used them to equip parts of the army, police, etc. These weapons can be recognized by the inspector's mark RPB (for Robert P. Barry) pressed into the bottom of the left grip. The weapons not distributed by the government were taken over in 1901 by the Francis Bannerman company, a New York dealer in military equipment, and went into the civilian market. the first were issued early in 1865, while the Civil War was still far from over, the 13th Amendment had just been written and issued to the states for a vote. The battle of Petersburg would come in the following months, drawing the war to a slow crawl to the end in April. 

This 1864 contract revolver with U.S. inspector markings and a 70% original blue finish. It also retains its inspector's mark. The frame and cylinder, both of which are matching parts, have been modified for centerfire ammunition, making it even more rare. The revolvers were bought by Bannerman after the war and only a few had this modification done when such revolvers were rising in popularity. This revolver certainly looks to have seen some interesting times and perhaps fought some battles of its own; it shows a lot of handling wear and has a lot of character. There’s a good chance it saw service in the American-Indian war that was soon to follow.