Spiller & Burr

[Whitey James]

I have been doing some reading about Civil War firearms recently and am fascinated by the gun companies that sprouted up to support the CSA. I had never heard of this pistol. I see that Pietta has a clone of it and am wondering if anyone has one?

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1016348429?pid=494035

 

[J-BAR #18287]

I don't have one.

 

At least one contributor to Wikipedia thinks the Ruger Old Army resembles the Spiller and Burr, with the heavy frame in front of the cylinder.  Could be. 

[Whitey James]

@J-BAR #18287 Ruger defiantly borrowed heavily from this gun along with the Rogers & Spencer which were copies of the Pettengill from my research. 

[Rooster Ron Wayne]

A strong Brass frame gun .

And a Dragoon charge in the cylinders !

Ruger was definitely inspired by it .

Rooster 

[Forty Rod SASS 3935]

13 hours ago, Whitey James said:

I have been doing some reading about Civil War firearms recently and am fascinated by the gun companies that sprouted up to support the CSA. I had never heard of this pistol. I see that Pietta has a clone of it and am wondering if anyone has one?

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1016348429?pid=494035

 

I had a replica years ago (1980-1981?) but it was stolen.  Very similar to the Whitney Navy .36 but with a brass frame.  I don't recall the maker but it was a little rough when I got it.  I cleaned it up, replaced the nipples and bolt spring.  It shot very well and was a real attention-getter at some of our events.

[Trailrider #896]

I have one I bought years ago, before Dixie Gun Works offered them. Mine was marked, "Joan's Gun Shop". I haven't shot it in years, but recall that I also had an original Whitney Navy that I shot briefly. The Whitney would fire about six or seven shots before binding up so bad you had to turn the cylinder by hand! The Spiller & Burr replica would shoot at least 2+ cylinder-fulls before needing cleaning! It was also the most accurate cap&ball revolver I ever shot!  Only a few thousand of the original S&B's were made, due to having the manufacturing facilities having to be moved ahead of advancing Union forces. I haven't ever seen an original, but I would imagine they would be worth something astronomical! 

 

I may be the one who referred to the Ruger Old Army as "The Super Whitney", due to the design of the loading lever/cylinder arbor.
"

[Whitey James]

I am considering picking a couple up as long as they are not junk. I had been wanting a New Model Army Remington but this seems a bit more unique.

[watab kid]

i have a replica [i dough  there are many originals left/not many were really made ] i like it a lot , it would be the one BP id shoot in original form first and foremost 

[Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933]

The Spiller & Burr is a copy of the Whitney with a brass frame.  It is a .36 and definitely does not shoot anything approaching a Dragoon size charge.  It is a percussion revolver.  Other than than it has no resemblance to the Ruger ROA.  I had a pair and an original Whitney.  On the brass frame model the area right behind the trigger guard was different than on the original Whitney.  I have medium size hands and these were the most uncomfortable guns I have ever held.  Traded them off before shooting them as that would only have made the pain worse and they were too uncomfortable to use as match revolvers.  IF possible I would try and handle one before purchasing.