I knew very little about the Rollin White type of revolver when I recently encountered this example. Still do not know very much, but its design is an interesting contrast with the S&W No 1, 2nd issue shown with it in the picture, the main difference being solid frame (brass) versus tip-up. The cylinder stop is in the bottom of the frame and the notches are in the front of the cylinder. This Revolver has to be somewhat later than the No. 1. The first Rollin Whites carried his name and had no side ejector rod. Apparently, Rollin left this effort in 1864. This RW was made by Lowell Arms and carries the “Made for Smith and Wesson” inscription. It carries the serial 12426. Lowell must have serialized these with some of their other arms because I have seen estimates that no more than 10,000 Rollin White types were produced. Under the grips, the frame carries, oddly, the number “476” rather than 426. The grips, which appear to be walnut, also carry this number.
The spring-loaded ejector rod is anchored in a boss cast in the brass frame and is held in place by a vertical pin through the boss. Note also the swinging recoil shield/loading gate, which is a bit crude. Could be a hassle to load and unload because there is no half-cock notch. Ejector rods did not appear on Colt revolvers until cartridge conversions and the open-top cartridge revolver came along around 1870-71. I am guessing, therefore, that this little RW appeared after 1870. I wonder, also, how much Rollin White had to do with the addition of the side ejector and swinging loading gate to the basic design. These, along with the solid frame, are characteristics that contrast with S&W practice and that were immortalized by the Colt Single Action Army. I would appreciate any additional information, corrections, or comments.
The spring-loaded ejector rod is anchored in a boss cast in the brass frame and is held in place by a vertical pin through the boss. Note also the swinging recoil shield/loading gate, which is a bit crude. Could be a hassle to load and unload because there is no half-cock notch. Ejector rods did not appear on Colt revolvers until cartridge conversions and the open-top cartridge revolver came along around 1870-71. I am guessing, therefore, that this little RW appeared after 1870. I wonder, also, how much Rollin White had to do with the addition of the side ejector and swinging loading gate to the basic design. These, along with the solid frame, are characteristics that contrast with S&W practice and that were immortalized by the Colt Single Action Army. I would appreciate any additional information, corrections, or comments.
