The U.S. Navy purchased 4,300 Whitney Navy revolvers during the Civil War, with a total of roughly 33,000 of first and second Model Navy revolvers manufactured by Whitney in the late 1850s to early 1860s in various configurations. This Whitney Second Model Navy 2nd Type revolver falls in the correct serial range of 1200-13000. Matching serial number on the bottom of the barrel, loading lever, cylinder pin, and inside the grips. No numbers visible on the rear of the cylinder. "E. WHITNEY/N. HAVEN" marked on the top of the barrel. Roll stamped cylinder scene (faint). "Col. W. P. Kellogg./7th Ill Cavalry." inscribed in fancy script on the bottom of the trigger guard. At the age of 18, William Pitt Kellogg (1830-1918) moved from his native Vermont to the State of Illinois where he studied law, eventually opening a law office in Canton, Illinois. He joined the Republican Party and met Abraham Lincoln, who shortly after becoming President of the United States in 1861, appointed Kellogg as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Nebraska Territory. Kellogg left his position with the Court at the outbreak of the Civil War to become colonel of the 7th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Cavalry and commanded the regiment until ill health required him to resign in 1862 but not before playing a pivotal role in a small battle in Sikeston, Missouri, where his men encountered Confederate forces preparing for the Battle of Island Number Ten. William Kellogg originally entered politics in 1860, serving as a presidential elector on the Republican ticket, became collector of the port of New Orleans from 1865-1868, and became a member of the U.S. Senate between 1868-1872 as well as 1877-1883, serving a term as the Governor of Louisiana between 1873-1877. Kellogg’s political career is notable as he was one of the most successful and important “carpetbaggers,” Northern politicians who established political careers in the South, during the Reconstruction era (1865-1877). Few of his fellow Republicans maintained power in the South as long as Kellogg. The Reconstruction era was a pivotal and turbulent moment in American history as it marked the abolishment of slavery and the reintegration of Southern states following the Civil War. After resigning from the army, Kellogg returned to Nebraska to resume his position as Chief Justice. At the end of the Civil War and just days before his assassination, President Lincoln appointed Kellogg as the federal collector of customs of the port of New Orleans. During the election of 1882, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and served one term from 1883-1885 as he was defeated for reelection in 1884 by Democrat Edward James Gay. After his defeat in the election of 1884 Kellogg remained in Washington, D.C., where he died in 1918. Kellogg is perhaps best remembered for the gubernatorial race of 1872 that threw the Louisiana state government into disarray as both gubernatorial candidates, Democrat John McEnery and Republican Kellogg, declared victory. The election of 1872 is a prime example of Reconstruction political tensions turning violent. The State Returning Board, which validated all election returns, refused to call Kellogg the winner and instead declared McEnery governor. In response, an opposing election board was established to declare Kellogg the winner. The two governments operated separately until the dispute reached a climax on September 14, 1874, with the Battle of Liberty Place, or Battle of Canal Street, an attempted insurrection by McEnery supporters against the Reconstruction era Louisiana state government. The McEnery faction occupied the State House for three days, ending when President Grant threatened to send federal troops to restore order.

Very good, with smooth brown patina indicative of genuine period use, traces of original blue finish visible on the underside of the barrel, some areas of light pitting and a few light dings on the right of the barrel. Brass trigger guard retains a pleasing golden aged patina with a crisp inscription. Grips are also very good with general wear, scratches and dents. Mechanically fine. Replacement cylinder pin retainer, possibly of the period.