Rollin White Arms Co.
Rollin White Arms Co. holds a small but important place in American handgun history. Based in Lowell, Massachusetts, the company produced compact .22 rimfire pocket revolvers in the 1860s that are closely tied to the rise of early metallic cartridge handguns. Marked with roll stamps such as “Made for Smith & Wesson by Rollin White Arms Co. Lowell, Mass,” these revolvers combined a bored-through cylinder with solid, spur-trigger frames and short octagon barrels. Today, Rollin White Arms Co. pocket revolvers appeal to collectors, historians, and fans of early cartridge technology who value period-correct details and authentic Civil War era sidearms.
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Frequently asked questions
What makes Rollin White Arms Co. revolvers notable?
Rollin White Arms Co. pocket revolvers are notable for their bored-through cylinders, compact .22 rimfire design, and close ties to early Smith & Wesson metallic cartridge revolvers.
Did Rollin White Arms Co. work with Smith & Wesson?
Yes. Many Rollin White pocket revolvers were produced in Lowell, Massachusetts and marked “Made for Smith & Wesson,” reflecting a contract relationship and shared cartridge technology.
What caliber are Rollin White pocket revolvers?
Most Rollin White Arms Co. pocket revolvers are chambered for .22 rimfire cartridges consistent with the period, often .22 Short.
Are Rollin White revolvers safe to shoot?
Many examples can still be fired with appropriate .22 rimfire ammunition after inspection by a qualified gunsmith, but their age and collector value lead some owners to treat them primarily as display pieces.
How can I identify a genuine Rollin White Arms Co. revolver?
Look for correct barrel and frame markings, spur trigger brass frames, small octagon barrels, and other details documented in reference guides for 19th-century pocket revolvers. Serial numbers and rollmarks play a key role in verification.
Where can I buy Rollin White Arms Co. revolvers?
Rollin White Arms Co. pocket revolvers appear through antique firearms dealers, auction houses, and collector listings on platforms such as GunsAmerica.
About
Rollin White Arms Co. represents the firearm manufacturing efforts of Rollin White, the inventor tied to one of the most influential early cartridge revolver patents in the United States. The company’s pocket revolvers illustrate the rapid shift from percussion systems to self-contained metallic cartridges in the mid-1800s. For collectors and students of firearm history, the Rollin White name connects key themes: patent law, industrial innovation, and the growth of the American handgun market.