U.S. CIVIL WAR FREEMAN'S PATENT .44 ARMY REVOLVER

This rare revolver was developed by Austin T. Freeman who worked for the Starr Arms Co. in 1861 and contracted wiith the Hoard's Armory to produce 5000 guns. However, due to production problems, only 2000 units were made and not delivered against the contract. Ordnance Department ledgers contain 'numerous entries for small lots of revolvers purchased on the open market during the early days of the war, including Freemans'. Some of the 2000 were also acquired under state contracts and privately owned Freemans found their way into active service' before Rogers & Spencer secured Freeman's patent and manufacturing rights.

It is estimated that the known survival rate of this revolver is as low as 12.5%, with circa 250 recorded specimins of this rare gun.

Watch a video of Al talking through the Revolvers