Prescott Navy Revolver
Edwin A. Prescott · Revolver · Discontinued · 1861
Also known as: E.A. Prescott Navy Revolver, Prescott Single Action Navy Revolver
Overview
The Prescott Navy Revolver is a six-shot single-action revolver produced by Edwin A. Prescott of Worcester, Massachusetts, and Norwich, Connecticut, during the American Civil War. Chambered for the .38 rimfire cartridge, it featured a bored-through cylinder, an octagonal blued barrel, and a brass or iron frame. Demand for cartridge revolvers far exceeded the output of Colt and Remington, and arms makers like Prescott stepped in to supply officers and soldiers. Because its bored-through cylinder infringed the Rollin White patent held by Smith & Wesson, production was halted by legal action in 1863, and only several hundred were made.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 794 g (28.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 324 mm (12.76") |
| Barrel Length | 181 mm (7.13") |
| Action Type | Revolving |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Revolving Cylinder |
| Muzzle Velocity | 230 m/s (755 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 257 J (190 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 25 m (27 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 5 |
| Frame Material | Brass |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .38 Rimfire · primary — also known as .38 RF, .38 Long Rimfire
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Revolving Cylinder
- Safety mechanisms: Hammer Notch
- Features: Octagonal Barrel, German Silver Front Sight, Rosewood Grips, Cylinder Arbor Extractor
Service history
Operators
- Union Army officers (private purchase)
Conflicts
- American Civil War (1861-1865)
Production
Production years: 1861-1863
Several hundred manufactured before production ceased due to Rollin White / Smith & Wesson patent litigation.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Edwin A. Prescott
Discontinued: 1863
Notes
Roughly 75% were built with brass frames and 25% with iron frames. Barrel lengths varied, with examples found around 6.5 to 8.5 inches; the 7-1/8 inch octagonal barrel is most common. The cylinder arbor doubled as a cartridge extractor. Distributed by Merwin & Bray.
Background
Edwin A. Prescott patented his revolver on October 2, 1860 (U.S. Patent No. 30,245), but the bored-through cylinder that let it fire metallic cartridges ran afoul of Smith & Wesson's exclusive license to the Rollin White patent, which shut down many competing makers of early cartridge revolvers.