These rare Austin T. Freeman patent revolvers were manufactured by Hoard's Armory in Watertown, New York, in the final years of the Civil War. The design looks like a cross between the Remington and Starr revolvers. The Freeman Army Model Revolver was a robustly designed and finely finished revolver, but total production is only estimated at 2,000 revolvers. Some may have been purchased and issued by state governments or purchased privately by soldiers. These revolvers have an interesting method of securing and removing the cylinder: a small switch on the right side that when pressed forward allows the cylinder and pin to fall out to the right. It is equipped with a small half-moon front sight, frame groove rear sight, "FREEMAN'S PAT. DECR 9. 1862" on the right side of the sight groove and "HOARD'S ARMORY, WATERTOWN, N.Y" on the left side of the groove, and smooth grips. The matching serial number is stamped on the bottom of the barrel, loading lever, frame, rear face of the cylinder, and underside of the grips.

Very fine with 85% plus bright original high polish blue finish, some fading to smooth gray and brown patina, strong original case colors on the hammer, mild scratches and dings mainly on the right side of the frame at the breech, and generally minor overall wear. The grips are fine and have dark oiled finish, several dents on the left and butt, and light chipping/flaking along the lower edges. Mechanically excellent.