This is one of the rarest of the revolvers used by the Union Army and Navy. 100 were purchased by the U.S. Navy and delivered in October 1861, and 1,100 were purchased on the open market and primarily issued to Ohio units including the 5th and 6th Ohio Cavalry. Small numbers are known to have been issued to other Midwest units. Only about 3,000 Army Model revolvers were manufactured in 1861 and 1862 by the Joslyn Firearms Company in Stonington, Connecticut. Of these, 2,500 were this standardized model. It has a dovetailed blade front sight and a sighting groove in the top of the frame for a rear sight. The top barrel flat is marked "B.F. JOSLYN/PATD. MAY 4TH, 1858." The matching serial numbers are found on the right side of the loading lever, back side of the trigger guard, cylinder pin, back of the cylinder, butt, and the back of each grip (with "3" reversed). "2" is marked on the bottom of the frame ahead of the trigger guard and back of the cylinder.

Very good plus. It displays traces of bright original finish and otherwise mostly brown patina. There is some mild oxidation and light pitting. The upper grip screw is absent. The dark, slightly undersize grips have fairly coarse checkering, some chipping and wear on the lower edges, and light scratches. Mechanically fine.