A Rare and Exceptional Walch Ten Shot Revolver
Brass frame Walch Double Hammer Pocket Revolver manufactured by the New Haven Arms Company c. 1860-1862. The Walch pocket revolvers were manufactured by Oliver Winchester’s New Haven Arms Co., at the same time as the famous Henry lever-action rifle. Total production was an estimated 3000 pistols of which 1500-2000 were brass frame models like this example. The revolver has a spur trigger, double hammers and unique 10-shot cylinder. The cylinder has five chambers; each of which takes a double load. The chambers are fired by ten percussion nipples. When the trigger is pulled the right hammer falls to fire the first charge followed by the left hammer which fires the second charge. The cylinder and octagon barrel have a high polish blue finish. The spur trigger and double hammers are color casehardened. The two-piece walnut grips have a piano finish. The finish on all components is the same as that found on Henry rifles. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the two-line legend: “WALCH. FIRE-ARMS. CO. NEW-YORK/PAT’D.FEB.8.1859.”. The serial number “1420” is stamped on the left side of the frame underneath the grip and on the inside of both grips. This revolver was formerly part of the famous U.S. Cartridge Company collection assembled during the late 19th Century by A. E. Brooks. The U.S. Cartridge Co. collection number “1895” is stamped on both grips below the grip screw. The Walch Pocket Revolver is a scarce pocket pistol directly associated with Oliver Winchester and the New Haven Arms Co.
