Rifleman Q&A: Savage Navy Revolvers

by
posted on July 24, 2024
Savage Navy Revolver

Q. Recently, at auction, I bought a “Savage Navy Revolver,” something I have wanted for a long time. It’s in good order and is a solid brute of a thing, but apart from the “Savage R.F.A. Co. Middleton, CT” stamp on the barrel, there are no other markings at all except for the serial number “1620” in three places: the frame; under the barrel; and on the sideplate. I’ve looked up what information I can find on the Internet and Mr. John F. Graf’s Standard Catalog Of Civil War Firearms, which gives the basic background, but I was hoping you might be able to narrow it down to perhaps a year of manufacture and maybe if it was ever issued.

Savage Navy Revolver

 


A. Savage Fire-Arms Co. manufactured the Navy Revolver from 1861 to 1865; some 20,000 were made. Most were sold commercially, with only 800 contracted to the U.S. Navy during the Civil War. Issued guns were stamped “P” (proved) over “J.R.G.” for the inspector, Capt. Joseph R. Goldsborough, on the middle portion of the cylinders.

Latest

Aa Finn Sniper Team 1940 Using Soviet M91 30 With PE Scope
Aa Finn Sniper Team 1940 Using Soviet M91 30 With PE Scope

Snipers Below Freezing: An Assessment Of Finnish & Soviet Sniping In The Winter War

The remarkable performance of Finland’s small military in holding back the Red Army during the Winter War of 1939-1940 drew the attention of many military planners, particularly those with an eye towards engaging in combat with the Russians in the frozen north.

Handloads: A Tokarev Target Load

Finding surplus 7.62x25 mm Tokarev ammunition was easy 15 years ago. When it finally dried up, my Zastava M57 went to the very back of the safe. That was until I discovered that X-Treme makes an affordable 110-grain .308" copper-plated bullet.

New For 2025: Military Armament Corporation MAC-5 & MAC-5K

Military Armament Corporation is now shipping its MP5-like MAC-5 and MAC-5K large-format pistols.

The Rifleman Report: “To Keep And Bear Arms”

When it comes to the three major firearm types—rifle, shotgun and handgun—along with the ammunition and accessories they require, we strive to cover each as best we can. And even though any of them could be pressed into sporting or defensive use, all are only as useful as they are available to responsible citizens.

Exploded View: Ruger “Six” Series Revolvers

The Ruger Security-Six, Police Service-Six and Speed-Six double-action revolvers, introduced in 1970 and produced through 1988, innovated in design and construction in such ways as to challenge that period’s status quo regarding the modern wheelgun’s strength and simplicity.

New For 2025: Bergara BMR-X Steel & BMR-X Carbon

The Bergara Micro Rimfire line has now advanced in 2025 with an X factor and two new subvariants made with ultimate precision in mind.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.