Manufactured in the early 1860s by Rogers, Spencer, & Co. of Willow Dale, New York, 500 Pettengill Army revolvers were issued to the 3rd Michigan Cavalry and in smaller numbers to several other cavalry regiments. This example has the desirable "WW" martial inspection marks on the left side of the barrel and frame at the breech along with cylinder and a matching cartouche on the left grip panel. A single "W" is marked on the loading lever. A small shield is stamped on the bottom of the frame. The revolver has the early style markings: "PETTENGILL'S/PATENT 1856" and "RAYMOND & ROBITALLE/PATENTED 1858"; each is roll stamped in two lines on the top of the frame on either side of sight groove. The serial number "3538" is stamped on the side of the cylinder, inside of the trigger guard, butt, and underside of the grips.

Fair. The cylinder retains just under half of the refinished blue finish while the finish has thinned to a mixture of gray and brown patina on the remaining surfaces. There is some scattered, mostly light, pitting throughout and a series of small scrapes on the inside surface of the lower frame strap. The undersize grips are fair as remarked with some chips along the lower edges and a few dings. Mechanically good with crisp markings.