Amos Rogers took over the family business after his father's death in 1834. By 1837, he and new partner Julius Spencer founded a farm machinery business as well as side business in gunmaking. During 1859, Rogers & Spencer contracted for the production of Pettengill revolvers (designed by C.S. Pettengill of New Haven, CT) for a group of investors. When the investors couldn't pay, the company took over the patents and production. The firm added two additional partners, Louis Laurance and George C. Tallman, and the name was changed to Rogers, Spencer & Co. The firm continued to produce revolvers after several improvements were made to the Pettengill design, as well as Austin T. Freeman percussion revolvers.
Amos Rogers traveled to Washington D.C. on December 15, 1861, hoping to secure a contract with the Ordnance Department. An order was placed in early 1862 for 25,000 Springfield style muskets at $20 each, and another order was placed for 5,000 Pettengill revolvers with appendages for $20 each.
Unfortunately, numerous sample test revolvers sent to the Ordnance Department failed, and it wasn't until late 1862 through January of 1863 that the revolvers were actually delivered. Over 15% of the Pettengill revolvers delivered were rejected by government inspectors.
Between 1863-1865, Rogers, Spencer & Co. continued to produce the single action Rogers & Spencer revolver and the Pettengill design. The Pettengill revolver saw use during the Civil War, but by war's end, most of the Rogers & Spencer models ended up in storage, produced too late for war time use.
Located in Willowvale, NY (close to Utica, NY - guns are marked Utica) circa 1837-1865.
