A Very Rare Allen & Wheelock Centre Hammer 3rd Pattern 44 Army Percussion Revolver. 14 ¼” overall, 7 ½” round to octagonal barrel engraved to left hand side ‘Allen & Wheelock, Worcester, Mass. US. Allen’s Pat’s Sep 7. Nov. 9. 1858’. Six shot cylinder. numbered ‘225’, large spur hammer, hinged trigger guard which folds down to operate rammer. 2 piece flared walnut grip.
Circa 1861-62.
Very rare, only about 700 of three types made.
In good condition.
The majority of Allen & Wheelock Army revolvers appear to have been issued to the 2nd & 3rd Michigan. The 3rd Michigan Cavalry was organized in Grand Rapids between late August and November of 1860. The regiment mustered into service in November of 1861 and departed for St. Louis on November 28. They proceeded to see service in many of the early Western Theatre operations including the capture of Island #10 and the Siege of Corinth in early 1862, and subsequently the battles of Iuka and Corinthin the fall of 1862.
Over the next two years, the regiment operated primarily in Western Tennessee and Northern Mississippi, fighting against Forrest’s cavalry and operating against Confederate communications and supply lines. In the spring of 1865 the regiment proceeded to Alabama, where it took part in the sieges of Fort Blakely and Spanish Fort, and subsequently took part in the capture of Mobile, AL. The regiment then moved through Louisiana to Texas and was placed on garrison duty in San Antonio through February of 1866. The regiment was mustered out of service on March 15, 1866 in Jackson, Michigan.
During their service the 3rd Michigan Cavalry had 3 officers and 27 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, and lost an additional 4 officers and 380 enlisted men to disease.