This is an example of a 44 percussion revolver manufactured by Rodgers, Spencer & Co., of Willow Dale, New York as part of a 5,000 gun contract with the Ordnance Department during the Civil War. These revolvers were delivered between January and September 1865 and were not issued during the war. Experts consider Rodgers & Spencer revolvers to be among the best designed military percussion revolvers manufactured during the Civil War. The revolver has a high polish blue finish on the octagon barrel, six-shot cylinder, frame, loading lever and hammer. The black walnut two-piece grips are oil finished. The barrel has a nickel silver cone front sight and the frame has a sighting groove in the top strap. The hammer has a knurled spur. The grips have a distinctive flare at the heel. The top strap is roll-stamped: "RODGERS & SPENCER" on the right side of the sighting groove and "UTICA N.Y." below it. The serial number, "567" is stamped on the left side of the frame below the cylinder, on the underside of the barrel, the side of the cylinder and on the bottom of the grip strap. All of the visible serial numbers match. "B" single letter Ordnance sub-inspection marks are stamped on most components. The Ordnance final inspection mark which consists of the script initials "RPB" in a rectangle is stamped on the heel of the left grip.

Very good as period refurbished. The revolver retains 60% of the high polish retailer applied blue finish. The blue finish has flaked on the barrel, cylinder, frame and trigger guard and the exposed surfaces have an attractive brown patina. The revolver shows little or no firing wear. There is no flash pitting on the percussion nipples, cylinder or hammer. All of the markings are crisp. The grips are very good overall with several minor dents and scratches and some finish wear along the lower edges. The Ordnance inspection mark on the lower left side of the grip is sharp. This is a solid example of a well designed Civil War percussion revolver.