POTD: Freeman Army Model – Hoard’s Armory Civil War Innovation
Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! Here we have a Hoard’s Armory Freeman Army Model percussion revolver manufactured 1863-1865, one of approximately 2,000 made. The Ordnance Department originally ordered 5,000, but the contract wasn’t filled. Some were purchased at state and private level during the Civil War.
Freeman’s patent uses an interesting cylinder removal system – a small switch on the right side that when pressed forward allows the cylinder and pin to fall out to the right. This was faster than conventional methods requiring wedge removal or unscrewing cylinder pins. The frame is marked “FREEMAN’S PAT. DECR 9. 1862” on the right of the sight groove and “HOARD’S ARMORY, WATERTOWN, N.Y” on the left. Hoard’s Armory in Watertown, New York was the manufacturer under Austin T. Freeman’s patent.
The .44 caliber chambering and 7 1/2-inch barrel made this comparable to Colt and Remington Army revolvers. The quick cylinder removal was a selling point – soldiers could carry loaded spare cylinders for faster reloading than percussion caps, powder, and balls under fire.
Despite innovative features, Freeman revolvers never achieved widespread military adoption. By 1863-1865, the Army was committed to Colt and Remington contracts, and metallic cartridge revolvers were already on the horizon. The limited production makes surviving Freeman revolvers uncommon today. Matching serial numbers appear on barrel bottom, loading lever, frame bottom, grip frame right, cylinder rear face, and inside both grip panels in pencil.
Most of our POTDs utilize images from our friends at Rock Island Auction Company, the premier firearms auction in the United States. Take some time to browse their current auctions – who knows, maybe you’ll find a piece of history to take home!
“Civil War Hoard’s Armory Freeman Army Model Percussion Revolver.” Rock Island Auction, www.rockislandauction.com/detail/4096/3230/civil-war-hoards-armory-freeman-army-model-percussion-revolver. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
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