It's hard to tell because the image is so dark, but in my avatar of my gguncle, pvt. William Sheets of the 3rd. Indiana cavalry, he's carrying a Savage revolver.
Friday I had foam insulation blown into my house. One of the guys was checking out the basement and saw my ACW stuff. He was really curious about the revolvers and then he spotted the Savage. I asked him if he wanted to hold it and he was off to the races when metal met flesh. Long story short I gave him a list of auction houses, arms dealers and the like. Didn't get a discount on the insulation; but maybe a convert. H
One of my first Civil War pistol purchases was a Savage & North and I guess that the main reason for it's purchase was because it was so quirky looking.
Were rank and file soldiers allowed to carry private firearms in battle. If you bought your own pistol and ammunition was it permissible to carry your gun into battle ?