Figure "8" Trigger

[musketman]

SAVAGE & NORTH, FIGURE "8" MODEL REVOLVER, 2nd VARIATION of the FIRST MODEL in .36cal

One of the scarcest of all American made revolvers. This carries the magnitude of importance of a Paterson, or Henry.

Less than, or about 250 were produced in this configuration. Of that, 100 were made on Ordnance Department contract, and proof marked.

It is .36 caliber, and has the 7-1/8 inch barrel. The round brass frame has a magnificent patina, and traces of blue are to be found on the metal, blending with a gray patina.

This example is ONE of the 100 Military marked Figure 8 specimens!

 

[No Powder]

Figure 8 trigger,why?

 

[musketman]

Their original 1861 contract with the government was for 5,500 arms at a cost of $20.00 each. However, in the first two years of the war, the government purchased 11,284 of these revolvers at an average cost of $19.00. Over 10,000 went to the Army with most being delivered by June of 1862. The Navy had one formal contract during the Civil War calling for Savage to deliver 800 revolvers at $20.00 each. These standard war time models were ordered on May 7, 1861. 300 were delivered in May, 200 in June, 100 in July and the last 100 in September. These 800 were in addition to 300 delivered to the Navy in 1860. Navy issues can be found with anchor stampings and Naval inspector markings.


The bottom loop of the FIGURE 8 is a cocking ring, to work the weapon one handed...

RIGHT SIDE & BOTTOM VIEW OF TRIGGER GUARD, COCKING RING AND TRIGGER

 

[No Powder]

That picture looks different than the first one but now it makes since. Thanks

 

[musketman]

Same gun, just a modifacation between production years, like cars do year to year...

 

The reason for the second trigger is that Colt's patent prevented turning the cylinder by acton of the hammer,(with the hand on the hammer boss)) so this piece was designed to rotate the cylinder by the bottom trigger, the fire the piece by the top trigger. They also could both be pulled at the same time. There were many such attempts to circumvent Colt's patent which really slowed down progress in revolvers. Many of the revolvers of the 1840's & 50's were only advanced by the action of the person's hand - not by an internal hand as in Colt's revolvers, hesne the unbelievable range of wierd lookng contraptons that came out.
Daryl