Bacon Pocket Revolver
Bacon Manufacturing Company · Pistol · Discontinued · 1858
Also known as: Bacon Excelsior, Bacon Arms Co. Pocket Revolver, Excelsior Pocket Revolver
Overview
The Bacon Pocket Revolver is a single-action .31 caliber cap-and-ball percussion revolver produced by the Bacon Manufacturing Company of Norwich, Connecticut. Introduced in 1858, this compact five-shot pocket revolver featured a solid frame, a round (or occasionally octagonal) barrel, and a roll-engraved cylinder scene on the First Model, often marketed under the 'Excelsior' name. Conceived as an affordable, concealable civilian self-defense arm, it was widely sold both under the Bacon name and rebranded for other dealers and trade names.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 510 g (18.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 190 mm (7.48") |
| Barrel Length | 102 mm (4.02") |
| Action Type | Revolving |
| Firing Mechanism | Percussion |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 5 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Rotary |
| Muzzle Velocity | 200 m/s (656 fps) |
| Effective Range | 18 m (20 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 50 m (55 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Brass |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .31 Caliber Percussion (Cap and Ball) · primary — also known as .31 cal, .31 percussion, 7.9mm
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Percussion Cap And Ball
- Safety mechanisms: Hammer Safety Notch
- Features: Single Action, Engraved Cylinder, Removable Cylinder Pin, Concealable Pocket Size
Service history
Operators
- American civilian market · adopted 1858
Conflicts
- American Civil War (1861-1865)
Production
Estimated total produced: 1,600 · Production years: 1858-1867
Approximately 1,400 First Model 'Excelsior' revolvers sold with Bacon markings, plus roughly 600 plainer Second Model revolvers made in the mid-1860s; additional examples were rebranded under other dealer trade names.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Discontinued: 1867
Notes
Sold under several trade names including 'Excelsior' and rebadged for dealers such as Union Arms Co. The First Model ('Excelsior') is distinguished by its engraved cylinder scene; a plainer Second Model with a fixed cylinder pin followed in smaller numbers. Barrels were offered in 4, 5, and 6 inch lengths, with the round 4-inch barrel being most common.
Background
The Bacon Manufacturing Company of Norwich, Connecticut, was one of many small New England makers that flooded the antebellum and Civil War market with inexpensive pocket revolvers. Its .31 caliber 'Excelsior' borrowed heavily from the Manhattan and Colt pocket-pistol pattern, and the firm freely rebranded the gun under whatever trade name a distributor requested.