Forehand & Wadsworth Old Model Army .44 Russ Single Action Revolver Antique
SOLD FOR: $2926
LSB#: 230515JB003
Make: Forehand & Wadsworth
Model: Old Model Army
Serial Number: 199
Year of Manufacture: ca. Mid 1870’s
Caliber: .44 Russian
Action Type: Single Action, 6 Shot, Centerfire Cartridge Revolver
Barrel Length: 7.5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a rounded blade pinned to the top of the barrel rib. The rear sight is a “V” notch cut into an integral blade at the top of the frame.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two piece smooth wood. The grips show handling and storage marks. The grips show light scratches, dings and wood compressions on the bottom left grip. The grips rate in about Good Plus overall condition as an antique.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is grey, the rifling is defined. There is scattered erosion in the bore and at the muzzle. In this writer’s opinion and for the age, this bore rates a 5 out of 10.
Most antique firearms have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the use of black powder. When fired, black powder reacts corrosively. NRA Antique Firearm Conditions Standards are quite lenient for bores. In some cases the NRA standards disregarded the bore’s condition for collectors firearms.
Overall Condition: This pistol shows varying degrees of browning patina. The metal shows scratches, scrapes, dings, knicks and tool markings. The frame shows multiple knicks and dings in the cartridge groove and cylinder pin areas. The cylinder has draglines. Several areas show cleaned erosion. The screw heads are used. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol rates in about Fair condition as an antique.
Mechanics: The action does not function correctly. The cylinder will free index both ways and will only catch counter clockwise infrequently. The cylinder will bind if not lined up properly. We did not fire this firearm. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: In 1871, Sullivan Forehand and Henry C. Wadsworth founded Forehand & Wadsworth from the remnants of Ethan Allen & Company after the death of their father-in-law, Ethan Allen. Wadsworth sold his share of the company to Forehand in 1890 in order to retire, and the company was rebranded as Forehand Arms. From 1871-1890, the firm was known as Forehand and Wadsworth. In 1890, Henry Wadsworth retired, and the company name was changed to Forehand Arms Company. It operated under the name Forehand Arms Company until the death of Sullivan Forehand in 1898. In 1902, the company was acquired by Hopkins and Allen. The company manufactured a variety of black powder and cartridge revolvers, including several versions of the British Bull Dog revolver. Other offerings included derringers? rifles,? and shotguns. Forehand’s sons ran the business for several years following the death of their father, then sold it in 1902 to Hopkins & Allen, who had been making Forehand Arms’ revolvers under contract. This Old Model Army, chambered in .44 Russian has no finish remaining and shows varying degrees of patina. The cylinder moves freely when with the hammer down on a cylinder and will bind if not lined up. This revolver could be put back into safe use with a bit of know-how and would be a great piece of conversation.
-Luke
