This is possibly the finest extant early Kerr patent revolver. Incorporating British patents 2896 of December 17, 1858 and 242 of January 26, 1859, it can be assumed with a degree of certainty that this revolver was manufactured in 1859. With blued border and scroll engraved octagonal barrel with conical brass front sight and stamped “L.A.C.” on the upper left flat, the barrel extending to a grooved topstrap which in turn extends to the wrist of the grip, and with a bright rammer beneath. Blued border and scroll engraved cylinder. Casehardened border and scroll engraved frame and back action lock, the former signed “KERR’S PATENT” and “No.27” on the right side and the latter signed “LONDON ARMOURY/LONDON”. Checkered figured walnut grip of a shape unique to the first 100 or so Kerr patent revolvers, the back edge of the grip inset with a silver oval escutcheon engraved with the incomplete presentation inscription “1866/WIMBLEDON/WON BY” (Wimbledon being the original home of the British National Rifle Association before it moved to i’s current home at Bisley in 1890). Blued border and scroll engraved trigger guard and pommel cap. London proof marks. In original fitted mahogany case lined in green baize with some accessories including a pewter oiler, brass mounted copper Dixon powder flask, a japanned tin of Lubricators for .448 bullets, a nipple wrench with pricker and its Small Arms School Corps collection number disc numbered “D8/0408”.

Exceptionally fine. The revolver retains 85% original blue finish and 70% casehardened finish and has some general minor loss to the bluing and fading to the casehardened finish. The trigger guard retains around 40% original blued finish, the rest having flaked off the metal. The grip has well-defined checkering and very little signs of any wear. Mechanically excellent. The case lid and hinges are missing, the lid reportedly having been removed by the Small Arms School Corps for display purposes and lost over the years. The base of the case is generally in good condition, some age related wear and staining to the lining material. Accessories are very good. The spring is incomplete on the powder flask.