Savage 1861 Navy Model, .36 caliber

[tmh10]

The Savage-North revolver, a product of the Savage Revolving Firearms Company, was patented by Henry S. North and Edward Savage of Middletown, Connecticut. The Savage Revolving Firearms Company, established in 1860, were successors to North & Savage and E. Savage. Their original 1861 contract with the government was for 5, 500 arms at a cost of $20.00 each. However, in the first two years of the war, the government purchased 11,284 of these revolvers at an average cost of $19.00. Over 10,000 went to the Army with most being delivered by June of 1862. The Navy had one formal contract during the Civil War calling for Savage to deliver 800 revolvers at $20.00 each. These standard war time models were ordered on May 7, 1861. 300 were delivered in May, 200 in June, 100 in July and the last 100 in September. These 800 were in addition to 300 delivered to the Navy in 1860. Navy issues can be found with anchor stampings and Naval inspector markings. The Savage-North revolver is a direct descendant of the Savage & North Figure 8 Model Revolver and the Alsop revolver sharing many similarities with both arms. Alsop was also located in Middletown, CT. and three members of the Alsop family served on the Savage Revolving Firearms Company board of directors. Therefore, the relationship between the two companies and the two weapons was more than coincidental.

 

[Red Harvest]

The Missouri State Militia cavalry regiments 2-8, 10, and 12 all show to have used this revolver. This accounts for most of the production at the time. (The 9th used Lefaucheux, don't know about the 1st and 11th MSM).

 

[Jobe Holiday]

The 7th PA Cavalry, when mustered in, was also issued the .36 caliber Savage Navy revolver.

J.

 

[BillO]

I've never held one but it just looks awkward.

 

[rob63]

The little middle finger ring device to cock the hammer has always struck me as an ingenious solution to a problem that shouldn't exist in the first place.

 

[jessgettysburg1863]

Excellent post Ted, that is one different looking revolver .