BACON & CO. AND VARIANTS

Manufactured a large variety of both percussion and cartridge pistols and revolvers under various company names before going bankrupt in 1888. Crescent Fire Arms Co. purchased the factory in 1892 and used Bacon Arms Co. as a brand name. Other trade names and/or agents names found on Bacon made arms include Fitch & Waldo, B.J. Hart & Bro., Tomes, Melvain & Co., Union Arms Co., Western Arms Co., and Hopkins & Allen.
During 1857, Thomas K. Bacon met Albert Beach, secretary of the new Manhattan Fire Arms Company. Bacon & Company contracted with Beach to make parts for Manhattan. In 1858, Bacon ended his contract with Manhattan and formed the Bacon Manufacturing Company. His new revolver was a clone of the Manhattan. In 1864, Horace Briggs (President) and Colonel Converse (sales) took over Bacon and manufactured revolvers until 1867. During 1867, the Bacon Manufacturing Company dissolved, but was unable to find a buyer for its assets. Thomas K. Bacon left the company and established Bacon Arms Co.
Bacon & Co. 1852-1858
Bacon Mfg. Co. 1858-1868
Bacon Arms Co. 1868-1888
Established by Thomas K. Bacon in Norwich, CT, circa 1846-1888.

BACON & CO. AND VARIANTS Antiques Models

ALL METAL PISTOL Image

ALL METAL PISTOL

.31 cal., markings unknown, single shot, single action muzzleloader, 2 or 2 1/2 in. round barrel, ring trigger, iron framework, bag type grips, centrally mounted shotgun type hammer, 5 in. OAL. Mfg. circa 1852-1858. RF=4.

SINGLE SHOT PISTOL Image

SINGLE SHOT PISTOL

.32 Short (small frame) or .32 Long (large frame) rimfire cal., single action, breech loader, large frame with tall recoil shield or small frame with flush recoil sheild, 4, 5, or 6 in. octagon side pivoting barrel marked "BACON MFG.CO...

POCKET MODEL (BACON ARMS CO.) Image

POCKET MODEL (BACON ARMS CO.)

.31 cal., solid frame, 5 shot round cylinder, cylinder pin release w/button release to remove cylinder (First Model) or fixed cylinder pin (Second Model), 4 in. round barrel unmarked (First Model) or marked "BACON ARMS CO. NORWICH, CON...

.32 POCKET REVOLVER Image

.32 POCKET REVOLVER

.32 rimfire cal., single action, solid frame, 5 shot unfluted or half fluted cylinder, 4 in. round barrel marked "BACON ARMS CO. NORWICH, CT. CAST-STEEL" with slight variations observed as "CAST STEEL" or "CT",...

BAR HAMMER PISTOL Image

BAR HAMMER PISTOL

.31-36 cal., single shot, double action muzzleloader, engraved frame, 3-6 in. part octagon/part round barrel marked "BACON & CO/NORWICH, CT.", conventional trigger, wood bag type grips, specimens manufactured in both large and...

BACON-HOPKINS REVOLVER Image

BACON-HOPKINS REVOLVER

.22 or .25 (small frame) or .32 (large frame) rimfire cal., single action, solid frame, 6 shot, stop notches at front of unfluted cylinder, 4 in. octagon barrel marked on top "BACON MFG. CO. NORWICH CONN." on the side and "C....

POCKET MODEL Image

POCKET MODEL

.31 cal., single action, solid frame, 5 shot, stop notches in middle of smooth (First Model) or fluted cylinder (Second Model), 4, 5, or 6 in. round or octagon barrel, serial markings may be present, marked "BACON MFG.CO.-NORWICH, CONN...

POCKET/BELT PISTOL Image

POCKET/BELT PISTOL

.34 cal., single shot muzzleloader, engraved frame, 5 in. part octagon/part round barrel, marked "BACON & CO./NORWICH, CT.", conventional trigger, wood bag type grips, large oval guard, no ramrod, centrally mounted shotgun typ...

"DEAD SHOT" POCKET MODEL Image

"DEAD SHOT" POCKET MODEL

.22 rimfire cal., single action, solid frame, 6 shot, stop notches at front of unfluted cylinder, 3 in. round barrel, spur trigger, wood square butt grips. Mfg. circa late 1860s-1870s.

RING TRIGGER PISTOL Image

RING TRIGGER PISTOL

.36 cal., single shot, single action muzzleloader, larger engraved frame, 3-6 in. part octagon/part round barrel marked "BACON & CO. NORWICH, C-T. CAST STEEL", ring trigger, wood bag type grips, no ramrod, centrally mounted sh...

NAVY MODEL - FIRST TYPE Image

NAVY MODEL - FIRST TYPE

.38 rimfire cal., single action, 6 shot, four variations (most valuable has button-headed cylinder pin), stop notches at front of unfluted cylinder, 7 1/2 in. blued octagon barrel marked "BACON MFG. CO. NORWICH CONN.", steel front...

UNDERHAMMER PISTOL Image

UNDERHAMMER PISTOL

.31 or .34 cal., single action, engraved iron frame, 4 or 5 in. part octagon/part round barrel marked "BACON & CO. NORWICH C-T CAST STEEL", ribbed or fluted, spur trigger without guard, blue finish, walnut bag type grips, poss...

NAVY MODEL - SECOND TYPE Image

NAVY MODEL - SECOND TYPE

.38 rimfire cal., single action, engraved or unengraved blued iron frame, 6 shot, stop notches at front of unfluted swing out cylinder, 7 1/2 in. blued octagon barrel marked "BACON MFG. CO. NORWICH CONN.", steel front blade sight,...

PEPPERBOX Image

PEPPERBOX

.22 rimfire cal., single action revolver, 2 1/2 in. round fluted barrel, marked "BACON ARMS CO. NORWICH, CONN" observed with or without "PATENTED MAY 29, 1860", spur trigger, walnut square butt grips, no loading gate, ba...

POCKET REVOLVER Image

POCKET REVOLVER

.22 or .25 (small frame) or .32 (large frame) rimfire cal., single action, stop notches at front of unfluted cylinder, solid frame, 7 shot (small frame) or 6 shot (large frame), 4-6 in. octagon barrel, square butt grips, engraved frame. Mfg...

REMOVABLE TRIGGER GUARD MODEL Image

REMOVABLE TRIGGER GUARD MODEL

.32 Short (small frame) or .32 Long (large frame) rimfire cal., single action, open top frame, 4 in. octagon barrel marked "BACON MFG. CO. NORWICH, CONN./DEPOT 297 BROADWAY, N.Y.", conventional trigger, blued finish, walnut square...