Approximately 2,000 of these revolvers were manufactured by Hoard's Armory, Watertown, New York circa 1863 and 1864. Although no government contracts or other documents have been located to show they were ever used by the military, these revolvers are considered as secondary martial arms. The top strap is marked "FREEMAN'S PAT. DECR 9, 1862/HOARD'S ARMORY. WATERTOWN. N.Y." The serial number is marked on the loading lever, frame underside, barrel, cylinder and cylinder pin. Austin Freeman's patent on the cylinder pin was similar to Bacon's First Model cylinder catch. The cylinder pin was retained by a flat spring on the left side of the frame. An ear on the right side of the pin had a button which will push the spring away from the ear on the left side, allowing the pin to be slid forward about 1/4". This pulls the pin out of the frame at the rear and disengages the hook on the left side of the frame allowing the pin and cylinder to be removed from the right side of the gun. The sights are fixed, the cylinder is un-fluted with recessed percussion nipples and fitted with smooth grips.

Extremely fine. The revolver retains 75% bright original high polished blue finish with the balance a smooth brown patina. The hammer retains half of the original case colors. The grips are very fine with a few pressure dents on the bottoms and a few minor handling marks overall. Mechanically fine.