Savage 1861 Navy
A proto double-action revolver used by both sides in the Civil War.
The Savage 1861 Navy is a cap and ball revolver produced by the Savage Revolving Firearms Company between 1861 and 1862. This company has no connection to the later Savage Arms Company. The revolver saw service with both Union and Confederate forces during the American Civil War.
Its design is highly distinctive, closely resembling its predecessor, the Savage 1859 Figure Eight. Both guns feature a proto double-action mechanism: a second trigger sits below the main one, and pulling it rotates the cylinder and cocks the hammer.
Henry S. North and Edward Savage designed the revolver in 1860. Production ran from 1861 to 1862 in Middletown, Connecticut, totaling 20,000 units. An initial government order for 5,500 units in 1861 was later increased to 12,000. The first deliveries occurred in late 1861. The remaining revolvers were sold to civilians, and many ended up in Confederate hands.
During the war, the Savage 1861 Navy was officially issued to several U.S. Army regiments: the 1st Wisconsin, 2nd Wisconsin, 5th Kansas, and 7th New York Cavalry. Confederate regiments using it included the 34th and 35th Battalions of Virginia Cavalry, the 11th Texas Cavalry, and the 7th Virginia and 7th Missouri Cavalry. The U.S. Navy also used it in small numbers, but the revolver was never widely adopted due to inconsistent quality and poor production materials and machinery. This made it more of a concept piece—one of the only double-triggered pistols ever made. It could not compete with models like the Colt Army 1860 and quickly became a high-demand collector’s item rather than a standard-issue sidearm.
After the war, soldiers were offered the chance to buy their revolvers, but only 17 units were reported as purchased.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- United States
- Is Ranged
- yes
- Service
- 1861-1865
- Used By
- United States, Confederate States
- Wars
- American Civil War
- Designer
- Savage Revolving Firearms Company
- Design Date
- 1860
- Production Date
- 1861-1862
- Number
- 20,000
- Weight
- 3 pounds, 6 ounces
- Length
- 14-1/2"
- Cartridge
- .36 Ball
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Designed in 1860 by Henry S. North and Edward Savage, production of the Savage 1861 Navy began in Middletown, Connecticut in 1861 and ended in 1862, with a total of 20,000 units produced. An initial order of 5,500 units was placed in 1861 but was later extended to 12,000 units. The first units were delivered late 1861. The remaining units were sold to civilians, and several ended up being used by the Confederates.
The revolver is only comparable to its predecessor, the Savage 1859 Figure Eight, and is recognized by its use of a kind of proto double-action with a second trigger underneath the first. When this trigger is pulled, it rotates the cylinder and cocks the hammer. During the American Civil War, it was officially used by several United States army regiments, including the 1st Wisconsin U.S. Volunteer Cavalry, 2nd Wisconsin U.S. Volunteer Cavalry, 5th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, and the 7th New York Cavalry. Confederate States Army regiments that used it included the 34th Battalion of Virginia Cavalry, 35th Battalion of Virginia Cavalry, 11th Texas Cavalry, 7th Virginia Cavalry, and the 7th Missouri Cavalry. The United States Navy also used the revolver in small numbers.
Reader's Guide
The Savage 1861 Navy was never widely adopted due to a lack of consistency and low-quality production material and machines. This amounted to a pistol that was more of a concept, being one of the only double-triggered pistols in existence. It could not compare to other models like the Colt Army 1860, and quickly became a high-demand collector's item over an army pistol. Even though the gun was offered to soldiers when the war ended, only 17 units were reported being bought. Its legacy is that of a distinctive but flawed design, notable for its unusual trigger mechanism and limited military service, which has since made it a sought-after piece for collectors.
Did You Know?
- The Savage Revolving Firearms Company is unrelated to the later Savage Arms Company.
- Only 17 units were reported being bought by soldiers after the war ended.
- The United States Navy used the revolver in small numbers.
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