Only 6,000 of these Dec. 17, 1861, patent Army revolvers were manufactured in 1862 before production shifted to the New Model series. The government found the ability to slide the cylinder pin out with the loading lever closed to be too insecure for battlefield use. Many of the 1861s were altered by adding a screw on the loading lever, but this example has not been altered and is an earlier production revolver with no safety notches on the cylinder and concealed barrel threads. It has a German silver cone front sight, the two line patent and address marking on the top of the barrel, "PR" on the left side of the barrel and frame at the breech, "RR" on the side of the cylinder, single letter marks on most of the remaining components and evidence of a cartouche on the grips. The serial number is marked on the bottom of the barrel, rear face of the cylinder and left side of the grip frame.

Good. The revolver primarily displays a brown patina and has some spots of slight pitting. The brass has an aged patina. The undersize replacement grips are fair and have moderate handling wear, some small chips at the heel and toe and light scratches. The action is fine. Most of the markings are crisp.