Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! Here we have a Whitney Beal’s Patent “Walking Beam” pocket percussion revolver manufactured between 1854 and the late 1860s. This features Fordyce Beals’ unusual walking beam lever system for rotating the cylinder and cocking the hammer. Fordyce Beals was a prolific inventor who worked with Whitney, Remington, and other manufacturers. His walking beam design used an external lever that “walked” back and forth to rotate the cylinder and cock the hammer before the trigger could be pulled. It was mechanically sound but unconventional.
Whitney Arms Company manufactured these under Beals’ patent as pocket revolvers in 31 caliber. The 3-inch octagon barrel and compact frame made them practical for concealed carry. The engraved cylinder scene was standard decoration for better-grade pocket revolvers during this period. The walking beam mechanism added complexity that most shooters didn’t need or want. Conventional percussion revolvers with simpler mechanisms cost less to manufacture and were easier to maintain. Production numbers stayed relatively low throughout the manufacturing period. These revolvers are uncommon today due to limited production. They’re mechanically interesting but never achieved commercial success comparable to Colt or Remington designs.
Most of our POTDs utilize images from our friends at Rock Island Auction Company, the premier firearms auction in the United States. Take some time to browse their current auctions – who knows, maybe you’ll find a piece of history to take home!
Rare Whitney Beal’s Patent “Walking Beam” Pocket Percussion Revolver | Rock Island Auction, www.rockislandauction.com/detail/1049/1365/whitney-beals-patent-walking-beam-pocket-percussion-revolver. Accessed 21 Dec. 2025.
Writer | TheFirearmBlog
Writer | AllOutdoor.com Instagram | sfsgunsmith Old soul, certified gunsmith, published author, avid firearm history learner, and appreciator of old and unique guns.
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