Inscribed Slocum revolver

[Doublebarrel]

What are the chances of finding out who the original owner of my Slocum revolver is? The name J. Stapleton is engraved on the lower frame, I know that the Slocum revolver was highly advertised in the Harper Weekly publication during the years 1863 and 1864. This leads me to believe that a soldier ordering this gun for his protection is very possible. How would I go about trying to find out who J. Stapleton is?
Thank you for any help.

 

[johan_steele]

More likely an officer than enlisted soldier. I would start combing the officer rolls. But there is no guarantee it was an officer. It could as likely have been a steamboat pilot as an example. There is also no guarantee it's a wartime engraving. Many a gunsmith bought cheap surplus or obsolete arms to practice on and sold them on the cheap.

Good luck.

 

[Patrick H]

I have never seen Slocum revolver before this. Yours looks to be in excellent condition. I'm glad you posted it and good luck with your search!

 

[Doublebarrel]

The silver plating is about 90% there maybe more but the plating is tarnished so if the gun was engraved after the original purchase it would have had to been replated which I don't think happened.

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

The inscription does look of the period.
So it's probably too early to have been put on to show this was owned by Archie Bunker's TV wife, Jean Stapleton.....well, that and the fact that the last name is spelled slightly differently.
All kidding aside, these were small, fancy and modern arms, and could have been given to / owned by men or women, and they would have still been modern arms for some years after they were manufactured. So, not likely to ever known when who owned this.
But a very attractive item!

 

[Pollaco]

I'm not too familiar with the Slocum, what caliber is that one?

 

[Doublebarrel]

It's a .32 rimfire side feed

 

[scooter748driver]

Well, my ggg grandfather was John Stapleton (additionally it was my grandfathers name and it is my name as well). To say I'm intrigued by your pistol is a great understatement.

Knowing the history of my ggg grandfather I don't imagine it was his. He lived in SW Virginia during the war and was a farmer and a trooper with the 22nd Virginia Cavalry. He couldn't write his name so it's Improbable that he'd have his name ingraved on anything. And I'm not sure how much a gun like that would cost in the 1860s, but being poor as he was I'm not sure he'd have been able to afford it. (Perhaps if it was some time after the war the chances would be better I think)

Id love to see more pictures and should you ever desire to sell it I'd respectfully ask you to consider me you first point of contact.

thank you.

 

[Doublebarrel]

John great to hear from you! I can imagine your mind going at 90 miles an hour after seeing pictures of the pistol with your initial and last name on it. I would have to believe that a union soldier would have purchased the gun as the guns were first sold in 1863 and manufactured in Brooklyn New York (patented April 14, 1863). I do not have any plans to sell it any time soon but I will keep you in mind should I decide to sell it. here is a picture of other side of the revolver.

 

[scooter748driver]

Thank you. Beautiful gun! Yes, seeing my initial and last name on a period piece set my mind to racing. I think it's a great gun, and of course having the same initial/last name on it just puts it over the top!

I have a Model 1836 pistol that was converted to percussion by M.A. Baker of Fayetteville and the inspector initials on the barrel are my initials, but to have the initial and last name is probably a once in a lifetime find.

Thanks for sharing it and for keeping me in mind!


Model 1836 with JCS on barrel

 

[midnitelamp]

wiki gives details on how this piece maneuvered around patents.

 

[Doublebarrel]

John Stapleton if you still have interest in this revolver let me know.
Thanks,
Ken

 

[scooter748driver]

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