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Savage Revolver Not a Success

The Savage revolver was unappreciated when it was in service; without the glowing testimonials of a dozen officers flattered to find themselves in print, it was not a commercial success. Called “Navy,” the majority were employed by the Army. Of these, hundreds which had been issued and turned in dirty and rusty, were bought out of New York Arsenal by Bannerman and peddled off at 25^ each. But of the lot, some were brand new, in the original packing cases. For these Bannerman wanted a little more. With Colt .44 New Model Army’s at $2.85, and Whitney’s complete with bullet moulds and 100 caps for $3, Bannerman had the unmitigated gall to ask—and eventually to get— $16 apiece for these revolvers which had cost the United States only $19 a half century before. The odd slab-sided pistol with the gas-seal cylinder seemed better liked in the dingy store of Bannerman on lower Broadway than it ever was in the Ordnance Office in Washington.

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