OC - FINE- all original parts; over 30% original finish, sharp lettering, numerals and design on metal and wood; minor marks in wood.

This is a very fine example of a U.S. contract percussion revolver that was manufactured by Rogers, Spencer & Co. of Willow Dale, New York in 1865. The Rogers & Spencer Co. was awarded a contract by the Ordnance Department for 5,000 .44 caliber revolvers in November 1864. When the Civil War ended in April 1865, 1,500 revolvers had been delivered; the remaining 3,500 were delivered by September 1865. The revolvers were apparently never issued and were subsequently sold by military surplus dealer Francis Bannerman. This well designed revolver has a full octagon barrel with nickel silver cone front sight. The solid frame has a sighting groove on the top strap. The revolver has a six-shot cylinder with safety notches between the chambers. The top strap is roll-stamped: "ROGERS & SPENCER/UTICA, N.Y." on either side of the sight groove. The serial number is stamped on the underside of the barrel, loading lever, cylinder, and bottom of the back strap. Small Ordnance "B" sub-inspection marks are stamped on each component. The lower left grip is stamped with an Ordnance inspection mark which consists of the script initials "RBP" enclosed in a rectangle.