FOREHAND & WADSWORTH, 2nd MODEL .44 ARMY REVOLVER… 1876 with ORIGINAL SLIM JIM HOLSTER

One of the scarcest, if not the scarcest, Frontier Revolver of the 1870’s is the Forehand & Wadsworth Single Action .44 revolver. It’s virtues were extolled in the Field & Stream May 1877 Issue. It describes its sureness of fire and quality of construction. From the end of the Civil War the Westward movement created a demand for large bore hand guns of unparallel size. Every company was rushing to fill this demand. Colt, S&W, Remington and Merwin, Hulbert. Prior to this F&W was a major manufacturer of Smaller belt and Pocket pistols. They made a decision to try and achieve their slice of the big pie, and introduced their Army Models in .44 cal. The Old Model Army ( as seen on American Arms 1) this Web-Site , had an initial success. In fact Serial No. 10 & 11 were submitted to the Ordnance Testing Boars and were tested in 1875, along with the Schofield and Colt. It faired very well, but they felt the ejection system was too delicate for rugged Army use, so not accepted. Only about 500 -700 were manufactured and sold commercially. It seems F&W “hedged their bet” on its acceptance, and did not want a loss situation. Bearing in mind a few negative remarks, they went back to the drawing board and in 1876 introduced the new and improved 2nd Model Army .44, which is what you see here ! But once again caution seized their boldness and only about 600 were made and sold commercially . If you can find one ??? usually they are in altered or near relic state. NOT the case with this one. This New Model Army .44 is Serial No. 5X, very early in the production. It has about 95% original ! factory nickel plating, with the exception of the cylinder which has only a few patches left. The cylinder took all the wear going in & out of the Slim Jim Holster. This is an ultra fine example of a scarce and ultra rare Frontier USED revolver. It’s mechanics are 100% correct, no problems. ALL parts are original, and ALL applied factory markings are present. The Walnut grips show handling use but are not damaged, and the original Lanyard ring is still present. I have seen old Cabinet Cards Photographs with this Model carried by Cowboys. This New Army .44 was discovered and came out of Texas. To the collector: a very rare and difficult Frontier Revolver to find in this superb condition, and with original holster. VERY suitable for the collector of Frontier Arms.