
Welcome to at present’s Photo of the Day! Right here we’ve a Whitney Beal’s Patent “Strolling Beam” pocket percussion revolver manufactured between 1854 and the late 1860s. This options Fordyce Beals’ uncommon strolling beam lever system for rotating the cylinder and cocking the hammer. Fordyce Beals was a prolific inventor who labored with Whitney, Remington, and different producers. His strolling beam design used an exterior lever that “walked” forwards and backwards to rotate the cylinder and cock the hammer earlier than the set off might be pulled. It was mechanically sound however unconventional.
Whitney Arms Firm manufactured these below Beals’ patent as pocket revolvers in 31 caliber. The three-inch octagon barrel and compact body made them sensible for hid carry. The engraved cylinder scene was normal ornament for better-grade pocket revolvers throughout this era. The strolling beam mechanism added complexity that almost all shooters didn’t want or need. Typical percussion revolvers with easier mechanisms price much less to fabricate and had been simpler to take care of. Manufacturing numbers stayed comparatively low all through the manufacturing interval. These revolvers are unusual at present because of restricted manufacturing. They’re mechanically attention-grabbing however by no means achieved business success similar to Colt or Remington designs.
Most of our POTDs make the most of photos from our pals at Rock Island Auction Company, the premier firearms public sale in america. Take a while to browse their current auctions – who is aware of, possibly you’ll discover a piece of historical past to take residence!

Uncommon Whitney Beal’s Patent “Strolling Beam” Pocket Percussion Revolver | Rock Island Public sale, www.rockislandauction.com/element/1049/1365/whitney-beals-patent-walking-beam-pocket-percussion-revolver. Accessed 21 Dec. 2025.
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