Marked "PETTENGILLS/PATENT 1856" and "PATD JULY 22. 1856/JULY 27. 1856" on the top strap, "PATENTED/NOV. 4. 1862" on the bottom of the frame under the cylinder. Matching numbers. Inspectors initials, mostly "W" on various parts including grips. These revolvers were made for Pettengill by Rogers & Spencer. Pettengill received a contract for 5000 of these revolvers at the beginning of the Civil War but the quality of the first batch delivered was poor. The army reduced the contract to 2000 which were delivered between October 1862 and January 1863. It is known that the 3rd Michigan Cavalry was issued 500 revolvers with other mounted outfits such as the 3rd and 5th Missouri and 3rd Illinois receiving lesser amounts.

Very good with 20% original blue on the barrel and traces of the original casehardening pattern on the loading lever. The cylinder is refinished with pitting visible under the remaining traces of blue. The frame has light pitting on the top strap obscuring the markings. The grips are fine and retain much of the original varnish with minor scratches and wear at the bottom edges. Mechanically functions, although cylinder does not lock up always. This is a solid example of a scarce martially inspected Pettengill revolver.