*US, Civil War Era – c.1862-1870, L.W. Pond Worcester Mass. Single-Action Belt Revolver, .32 Rimfire, Smith & Wesson Royalty-Marked, Matching No. 969, with Inert Sleeves & Original Screwdriver, Obsolete Calibre*
A scarce American Civil War-era Lucius W. Pond infringment model single-action Belt Revolver, six-shot, chambered for .32 rimfire, retaining matching serial number 969 stamped to the cylinder, inside frame, butt, barrel assembly, and ejector rod. The revolver features the characteristic tip-up frame with hinge located immediately forward of the hammer, octagonal barrel, and small exposed trigger without guard—hallmarks of the Pond design. The barrel flat is crisply marked:
“L. W. POND WORCESTER MASS. PAT’D JULY 10 1860”
and beneath:
“MANUF’D FOR SMITH & WESSON PAT’D APRIL 3, 1855.”
The cylinder retains all six chamber insert sleeves, a component frequently missing on surviving examples. The grip is of smooth rosewood with brass escutcheon, and the butt retains the distinctive removable screwdriver tool, a signature Pond feature intended for field maintenance and rarely found present today. Finish is an even smooth grey patina with clear markings throughout. The revolver is single-action, cocks and dry-fires correctly. Obsolete calibre and fitted with inert cartridges.
Approx. Measurements – Barrel length: 13.5 cm. Overall length: 26 cm.
Historical Note:
The L.W. Pond Belt Revolver was introduced around 1861, at the height of the American Civil War, when demand for cartridge revolvers far exceeded the output of major manufacturers. Lucius W. Pond of Worcester, Massachusetts—originally a machinist and machine-tool manufacturer—produced this revolver under his 10 July 1860 patent, adopting a tip-up loading system broadly similar in concept to Smith & Wesson designs. However, the revolver infringed the famous Rollin White bored-through cylinder patent (licensed exclusively to Smith & Wesson in 1855). Following legal action in 1862, Pond—along with other makers such as Moore, Bacon and Warner—was permitted to continue limited production only on condition that royalties were paid and that the remaining guns were stamped: “Manufactured for Smith & Wesson.” Approximately 4,400–4,500 revolvers were produced under this arrangement before manufacture ceased around 1870, making these royalty-marked examples a distinct and historically significant sub-type.
The Pond revolver was regarded at the time as a solid and well-made arm, with a notably robust hinge and latch system. Period accounts even record examples carried in Union service, including officers’ private-purchase sidearms.
The small screwdriver stored in the butt was one of Pond’s earliest design features and is missing from many surviving revolvers, enhancing the desirability of complete examples such as this.
*Condition*
Very good, honest antique condition with a smooth, even grey patina across the barrel, frame and cylinder. Markings remain clear and legible, including both the Pond patent line and the Smith & Wesson royalty stamp. All matching serial number 969 present to the major components. Cylinder retains all six chamber sleeves. Action is mechanically sound, cocking and dry-firing correctly in single action. Rosewood grips are solid with minor handling marks and a small age-related edge bruise. The original butt-mounted screwdriver is present and removable. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
Civil War-era L.W. Pond Belt Revolver, scarce Smith & Wesson royalty-marked infringement model, matching No. 969 with original butt screwdriver.
JAQWB_DEO_9792228659
