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.

Very interesting revolver. You are talking about a narrow window of time, since I believe the Rollin White patent expired in 1873. I think it's a riot that Smith & Wesson finagled exclusive rights, and even guns made by Rollin White were infringements and had to be marked "Made for Smith & Wesson."

Bob

Interesting gun. I saw some of these "made for Smith & Wesson" guns at the poulin auction.

Lowell Arms was Rollin White Arms originally. Name changed around 1864 when Rollin White's association ended. The study of the infringements is a specialty all its own.

Here's an earlier model by Rollin White Arms.



Below is a Moore's Seven Shooter, another infringement era piece marked as made for S&W.




There were numerous attempts at evading the patent either through loading or ignition techniques. This Merwin & Bray pocket pistol is an example of an ignition evasion.




Very cool gun, McShooty...from a fascinating period in Smith & Wesson history.

__________________
Pace

Thanks, Pace, for posting those fine examples of S&W competitors.That is a great earlier Rollin White. I had never seen one that carried his name, and I also did not know the Moores carried the "Made for" inscription. This part of the nineteenth century is just chuck full of significant gun history.

Very cool, I love the solid frame, ejector rod and loading gate!
Like a lot of developments, they got some things right, but leaving out the half cock, when guns had them for centuries, is a wonderment??
Thanks for posting.
And thanks pace40 for the RW, Moore and Plant, all new to me!
Steve

A new on-line collectors firearm magazine just came out, with the first copy available to read/download free. There is a very good article on the infringements, although I thought it strange that the revolvers made by Rollin White were not mentioned.

Free Issue - Arms Heritage Magazine

Bob #946

I have this pistol that looks like the ones talked about in the Rollin White threads. It is a 5 shot, but the imprint on the barrel
is very worn it appears to say Springfield Arms Co but I'm not positive. It belonged to an ancestor of mine. I have a copy of his discharge paper a couple buttons and 1 .30 cal.bullet.any info