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 as is made clear by this example which is still a solid firearm after nearly a century and a half. These New Model Army revolvers were improved versions of the mid-1870s Old Model. Fewer than 1,000 are estimated to have been manufactured in the late 1870s to 1880s. Adding to this revolver's rarity is the engraving by famed Master Engraver L.D. Nimschke. The barrel, ejector rod housing, frame, hammer, back strap, and trigger guard feature fine engraved scrollwork, strapwork or geometric patterns. Amongst the panel of scrollwork on the left side of the frame is an engraved leaping deer. The revolver has a round sighted barrel, grooved top strap with notch back sight, barrel and fluted cylinder struck with contemporary small London proof marks, full gold plating and pearl grips. The left grip panel is carved in high relief with a standing Classical figure likely representing the legendary warrior Celtic Queen Boudica. Both grip panels are numbered to the gun. The consignor states the revolver was purchased amongst a group of revolvers reportedly belonging to the great American marksman Walter Winans. A caricature of Winans holding a gold revolver by Spy was published in Vanity Fair in 1893.

Very fine. The revolver retains most of the period replated gold finish with some scattered patches of minor pitting. The grips are very good with some surface rubbing to the high points of the carved figure and an old worn spot at the base of the right panel, almost certainly the result of having lain on display showing the left side. Mechanically functions fine, although cylinder does not lock up tight. Overall a striking early production example of a Forehand & Wadsworth New Model Army revolver. The level of finish and presence of contemporary London proof marks suggest this revolver may have been sent to Europe for exhibition purposes.