Can you read this name?

[scooter748driver]

Saw this name scratched into the side of a revolver. It looks like the last name is Roy with a date of 1876 scratched beneath it, but I can't make out the first name. John? Any guesses or enhancements to tell for sure?

Of course the next question will be (once the name is identified), who was this person, what's their history, etc.

 

[Bonny Blue Flag]

Need to create a contrast within the picture to bring out the lettering a bit.

-BBF

 

[scooter748driver]

Need to create a contrast within the picture to bring out the lettering a bit.

-BBF

sadly that isn't in my wheelhouse - hoping someone here might be able to in order to read it.

 

[Sundance]

I've had luck by shining a bright flashlight on difficult lettering from different angles.

 

[Sundance]

Also, I see "Roy" on the top. (Or Troy, or LeRoy)

 

[Bonny Blue Flag]

Perhaps shining a light onto it, one light white, one yellow, one blue, one green. Some of the ink may reflect one of those colors better, making this easier to read.

--BBF

 

[lelliott19]

Need to create a contrast within the picture to bring out the lettering a bit.

-BBF

Best I can do without an original of the image

 

[Papabyrd]

looks like Roy 1876 to me

 

[Papabyrd]

What type gun is it on ?

 

[Patrick H]

Initial letter N. Then "Roy" and then "1876." Can't explain the "N", nor make out anything else with it.

 

[scooter748driver]

Initial letter N. Then "Roy" and then "1876." Can't explain the "N", nor make out anything else with it.

View attachment 466967

I'm thinking its John Roy 1876. It's on a S&W Model 2 Army.

 

[Patrick H]

I'm thinking its John Roy 1876. It's on a S&W Model 2 Army.

Yes, now that you've prompted me, I see a scratch that could be the letter "J." I think you have a very reasonable suggestion here!

 

[Bonny Blue Flag]

W N Roy 1876.

 

[Nathan Stuart]

From what is seen, it looks like,

J. N
Roy
1876

 

[scooter748driver]

Thanks all! Once it arrives I will be able to determine if there's a first name or just initials. Would be nice to be able to track down whoever this Roy character is but that's probably a needle in a haystack

 

[Story]

Thanks all! Once it arrives I will be able to determine if there's a first name or just initials. Would be nice to be able to track down whoever this Roy character is but that's probably a needle in a haystack

Rub some talcum powder into the incising, see if that doesn't bring up the letters.

 

[scooter748driver]

Update: the name scratched into the side plate of this revolver is definitely John Roy. The "o" is smaller and harder to see and the "h" is very light or worn almost off, but under a magnifying glass it's clearly "JohN". The year 1876 is also scratched beneath the name.

This revolver is a Smith & Wesson Number 2 Army revolver. From College Hill Arsenal:

The No. 2 Army was "one of the most popular metallic cartridge revolvers of the American Civil War period. The Smith & Wesson No 2 Old Army revolver was a six shot, .32 caliber single action revolver that fired a .32 caliber rimfire cartridge. The revolver was introduced in 1861 and remained in production until 1874. During that time some 77,155 of the revolvers were manufactured. Those pistols under serial number 35,731 were produced prior to May 1, 1865 and are considered revolvers that may have seen Civil War use.

The pistol used Smith & Wesson's "tip up" action design that they introduced with the .22 caliber No 1 Revolver. To load or unload the pistol the release at the bottom of the frame was pushed, allowing the barrel to be tipped up and the cylinder removed. Pushing the chambers over the fixed ejector rod under the barrel removed the empty cartridges, allowing fresh cartridges to be dropped into the chambers.

These guns were very popular personal side arms for soldiers and officers on both sides during the conflict. Smith & Wesson No 2 pistols were known to be owned and used by such diverse and historic figures such as Brevet General George Armstrong Custer and the infamous lawman "Wild Bill" Hickok. Period images regularly show soldiers with an "Old Army" revolver stuck in their belt.

From the standpoint of size, weight and cartridge power, the Smith & Wesson No 2 was probably one of the most practical pistols for company grade officers to carry in the field. It was lighter and easier to deal with than a Colt Navy or Colt Army percussion revolver and was more powerful than the popular .22 rimfire pocket pistols of the era.

This pistol in serial number 5417 which, I believe, places it as late 1861 or sometime in 1862. What I find interesting is that someone (John Roy?) was still using it in 1876. Now, if there was only some way to determine who John Roy is.

 

[Patrick H]

Very nice revolver, and I'm glad the mystery of the name is now solved!