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Bacon Mfg. Co. First model Navy Revolver Serial #1 [129679]

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,500.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
Bacon Mfg. Co. First model Navy Revolver Serial #1  [129679]
SOLD
1,500.00USDto j******0+ buyer's premium (330.00)
This item SOLD at 2021 May 15 @ 08:13UTC-7 : PDT/MST
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This Bacon Revolver is SERIAL # 1, FIRST NAVY MODEL 1. Distinguishing features are: the bored through cylinder with a thumb wheel brake, 7 1/2 in. octagon barrel, chambered for .38 cal. rimfire, 5 land rifling, scroll engraved frame, single line address "Bacon Mfg. Co. Norwich, Conn", two piece walnut grips, dovetailed front sight, a sheathed spur trigger, single action, and articulating arbor. An all numbers matching gun with serial number 1 in early metal stamp font on the barrel bottom, arbor, back of cylinder, and inside grip frame left side. The bore is dirty but not pitted and appears to never have been fired or cleaned. The single action is non-functional. This revolver must have been the show piece for Thomas Bacon, a machinist and firearms manufacturer. (Early on as Plant Superintendent for the Manhattan Firearms Company in 1858.) The cylinder has a patent date removed by a blunt nosed tool, presumably to remove any evidence to Smith & Wesson patent owner of the Rollin White design for the bore-through cylinder (patent #12648 April 3, 1855). Mr. Bacon had to be fully aware of the patent litigation between Samuel Colt vs. the Massachusetts Arms Co. of 1851. The thumb wheel at the back of the cylinder on this gun is described as a cylinder lock; another way to lock the cylinder for safety without infringing on outstanding patents. Possibly the only thing that protects the inventor from litigation from the Rollin White patent, or preventing the hammer falling on a loaded cylinder by accident. THIS REVOLVER DESERVES ITS PLACE IN FIREARMS HISTORY. The bore-through cylinder idea was hatched by Rollin White as a contract employee at Colt. He used (presumably) two refused cylinders from the Colt parts bin to define the bore-though technique in the 1850's. He approached Sam Colt to buy his patent and was promptly fired by Sam Colt. The date was December 1854. Imagine using Colt refuse parts bought and paid for by Sam Colt and then using his time to develop a patent. By today's standards, any product or idea worth patenting is property of the employer. Sam Colt then, blinded by anger, fired Rollin White and would be the the most regretful experience of his life. This set-back would tie-up the bore-through cylinder technique for another 15 years when Colt finally comes out with the New Model Single Action Army in 1873 behind Smith & Wesson. THIS REVOLVER IS A PRODUCT OF THAT PATENT WAR. The barrel shows spots of oxidation, the frame shows wear of a revolver consistent with its age of 160 years. Built about 1862 by Bacon Manufacturing Co. There is thought to be less than 1000 model #1 revolvers with several variations known. This gun is an antique and no attempt has been made to fire this gun to confirm its mechanical integrity. Nor should this gun be fired without the examination by a qualified gunsmith. Any attempt to fire an antique gun is at the risk of the owner and not consistent with the value of the firearm. No sales to New York City, New Jersey, California, or Hawaii. (Reference : The History of the Colt Revolver, Haven and Belden, 1978, ps. 82,84, 132, 336, 541. The Story of the Colt Revolver, Edwards, 1957, p. *274. Colt Firearms from 1836, Serven, 1954, p. 161) .

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