Sullivan Forehand and Henry Wadsworth each married one of Ethan Allen's daughters and were part of E. Allen & Co. until they restructured the business as Forehand & Wadsworth upon Allen's death in 1871. As with Allen's firearms, their guns were high quality weapons. These Old Model Army revolvers were manufactured in the mid 1870s and it is estimated that less than 1,000 were made. These revolvers were usually nickel finished. This example has a factory high polished blue finish making it a very rare American antique cartridge handgun. The top of the barrel rib is marked "+FOREHAND & WADSWORTH WORCESTER, MASS. U.S. PAT'D OCT. 22,61- JUNE 27' 71 - OCT. 28 '73+". The left side of the frame below the cylinder is stamped with a standing bear. Early collector legend attributed the mark to the California militia, however more recent evidence indicated the marking is likely that of a California dealer or gunmaker. The matching serial number is marked on the butt, underside of the barrel at the breech, cylinder pin latch, loading gate and rear face of the six-shot cylinder. Pinned blade front and frame notch rear sights, blue finish and fitted with smooth two-piece nicely figured walnut grips. The grips are also numbered to the gun. A standing bear marked Forehand & Wadsworth Old Model Army revolver, serial number 953 (one digit higher than this example), was once part of the famed William Locke collection and is pictured and described in the book "The William M. Locke Collection" on page 509.

Very fine. The revolver retains 80% plus original high polished blue finish with the balance in certain areas thinning to a pleasing brown patina. The trigger guard and hammer have faded to a gray with 50%-60% of the original case colors remaining, mostly on the hammer. There are a few patches of minor pitting. The highly figured grips are also very fine showing a few minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent. An incredibly rare high condition blue finish Forehand & Wadsworth Old Model Army Single Action Revolver.