The Butterfield Revolvers were manufactured by Jesse Butterfield of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1862. They are considered by collectors to be secondary U.S. martial handguns since they were manufactured in anticipation of an unrealized government contract. Because no contract was awarded, production was limited to only about 640 revolvers. The revolver has a silver plated brass frame, blue five-shot cylinder and barrel, a casehardened loading lever, and flared walnut grips. It is equipped with a special disc priming device loaded by loosening a thumb-screw in front of the trigger guard. The top strap is marked "BUTTERFIELD'S/PATENT DEC.11 1855/PHILADA". The matching serial number "55" is found all of virtually all of the major and minor parts with the exception of the unnumbered grips which are screw fastened to matching numbered side plates. The revolver is documented in R.L. Wilson's "American Arms Collectors" on page 113. Provenance: Chris Anderson Collection, Al Cali Collection.

Extremely fine with 80% original bright blue finish on the barrel and cylinder, minor muzzle and rotation wear, 75% original silver plating, aged patina on the brass and silver, gray tones on the loading lever and hammer, and minor handling and storage marks. The revarnished grips are fine with moderate handling wear and most of the original varnished finish, which as an "alligatored" appearance due to the varnish being once subjected to heat. Mechanically excellent. One will look a long time to find a fine example!