This is an example of a Civil War Production Allen & Wheelock Army revolver that was manufactured by the Worchester, Massachusetts firm in 1861-62. Allen & Wheelock manufactured approximately 700 Center Hammer Army revolvers; the Ordnance Department purchased 536 of these revolvers in 1861. Surviving examples are rare. The single action revolver has a six-shot cylinder solid frame and unique rack and pinion loading lever in which the forward portion of the trigger guard serves as the operating lever. The revolver has a high polish blue finish on the barrel, frame and cylinder. The hammer, trigger and trigger guard/loading lever are color casehardened. The two-piece walnut grips have a high polish varnish finish. The left side of the part/round, part/octagon barrel is stamped with the legend "ALLEN & WHEELOCK. WORCHESTER. MASS. U.S./ALLEN'S PT'S. JAN.13.DEC.15.1857.SEPT.7.1858.". The serial number "120" is stamped on the inside of the trigger guard and on the rear face of the cylinder. The revolver has no Ordnance inspection or U.S. property marks which indicates that it is one of the approximately 160 Center Hammer Army revolvers manufactured for commercial sale.

Extremely fine. The revolver appears to be un-fired and retains 70% of the bright original blue and casehardened finish. The blue finished has flaked; the wear appears to be the result of poor surface preparation rather than handling. There is no flash pitting on the cylinder or percussion nipples. The factory legend and serial numbers are crisp. The excellent grips retain at least 95% of the high polish varnish finish with some minor handling marks. The action is tight and functions perfectly. This is an exceptional example of a rarely encountered Civil War percussion revolver.