*US, Civil War Era c.1863–1870, Lucius W. Pond Front-Loading 7-Shot Pocket Revolver, Deactivated, Serial No. 687*
A scarce and attractive American Lucius W. Pond front-loading pocket revolver, retaining its distinctive seven-shot cylinder and compact form associated with these Worcester, Massachusetts produced pocket arms of the Civil War era and immediate post-war period. This example is a .22 calibre revolver and remains a particularly interesting design, using separate front-loaded chambers in order to avoid infringement of the Rollin White bored-through cylinder patent then controlled by Smith & Wesson. The revolver has a nickel-plated brass frame with steel barrel, cylinder and loading components, together with smooth walnut grips. The revolver retains matching serial number 687, visible in multiple locations including the loading assembly, butt strap, and barrel/frame components and the revolver is accompanied by its Birmingham Proof House EU deactivation certificate dated 28/04/2025.
Approx. Measurements – Blade length: N/A. Overall length: 15 cm.
Approx. Measurements – Barrel length: 6 cm.
The top barrel marking appears to read “L.W. POND, WORCESTER, MASS. PAT’D SEPT. 8, 1863”, though now partly worn and difficult to read in full. The left barrel flat appears to carry the later patent date “PAT’D NOV. 8, 1864”, again partially obscured by age and surface wear. Birmingham deactivation and proof-style markings are also present, with the modern certificate recording the piece as a Pond revolver, serial number 687, .22 calibre.
Historical Note:
Lucius W. Pond revolvers are a well-known American patent-era curiosity, produced in relatively limited numbers, with approximately 2,000 examples generally cited for the type. Their unusual chamber-loading system makes them especially appealing to collectors of early cartridge revolvers, Civil War period pocket arms, and patent workaround firearms. Although not a standard martial issue sidearm, small revolvers of this sort were the kind of privately purchased personal weapons carried by civilians, officers, and others during the 1860s. The present example, with its low serial number, compact dimensions, and clearly identifiable Pond markings, is a good representative specimen of this distinctive American design.
The Pond revolver is one of the more ingenious American pocket revolver designs of the 1860s. At a time when Smith & Wesson controlled the valuable Rollin White patent for a fully bored-through cylinder, rival makers had to devise alternative methods for producing metallic-cartridge style revolvers. Pond’s answer was a revolver using removable or separately loaded front chambers, allowing the gun to function while avoiding direct patent infringement. This places the model firmly within the inventive and highly competitive world of American Civil War and Reconstruction-era arms manufacture.
*Condition*
Please see photographs as part of the condition report. A well-preserved example overall, showing honest age-related wear throughout. The frame retains areas of original finish with scattered scratches, knocks, and handling marks. Steel components show even age patina with areas of surface corrosion and pitting, most noticeable to the barrel, cylinder, and loading assembly. Markings remain visible but are worn in places. Matching serial number 687 is present in three locations, including the loading assembly, butt strap, and barrel/frame components, confirming the revolver as a matching example. The cylinder indexes when the hammer is manually drawn back. The trigger does not engage the action. Sold as a deactivated antique revolver for display / collection only. The walnut grips are sound with age-related wear, minor scratches, and a small age line to one side near the frame. The revolver is accompanied by its Birmingham Proof House EU deactivation certificate dated 28/04/2025. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
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