Manufactured between 1857 and 1859, it has been estimated that fewer than two hundred of these unique revolvers were made. The hammer sets to the right of the centerline of the pistol and this model is often called, erroneously, the sidehammer revolver. The removable side plate is also unusual, in that it is on the right side of the frame. The revolver functions either as a double or single action. It is marked "ELLS/ PATENT" on the left side of the hammer and "AUG. 1 / APRIL. 28. / 1854 / 1857" on the right. Blue barrel, frame and cylinder with casehardened hammer and loading lever. The frame is lightly engraved on each side and the cylinder has pineapple frond engraving above each of the five chambers. The front sight is a brass cone, the rear a groove in the frame. The grips are a two piece varnished walnut with tear drop silver inlays around the screws. Accompanied by a brass .31 caliber mold marked "ELLS" in bold lettering.

Excellent. The barrel retains 98% bright original high polish blue finish showing only minor thinning along the high edges and a few minor surface scratches. The casehardened hammer and loading lever are mostly silvered out but both retain brilliant flashes of original case colors. The frame shows 75% original blue finish the balance has thinned to a mottled patina. All markings and engraving are still crisp. The cylinder retains a solid 90-95% original blue finish exhibiting only surface scratches. The grips are excellent with only slight wear along the bottom edge of the butt. The mold is excellent.