Scarce Tipping & Lawden Type Revolver by Whistler w/ Snake Belt Rig

Serial #104, .450 CF, 4 inch octagon barrel with an excellent, bright bore. This is an "E. WHISTLER / II / STRAND. LONDON." marked revolver that retains 85-90% of the original bright blue finish with the balance flaked to mottled plum-brown freckling, especially along the high and exposed edges, and on the unfluted cylinder. Traces of bright fire blue are present on the loading gate latch, while the gate, hammer, trigger, and ejector rod retain their original bright finish. The checkered walnut grip has a pronounced saw-handle profile, and is in fine shape with light handling marks, and some mild flattening of the points. The lock-up is tight, and the action functions flawlessly. This is a variant on the Tipping & Lawden Self-Extracting design which had a separate barrel that rotated and pulled away from a fixed extractor, which is replaced by a more conventional swing-out extractor rod hinged to the underside of the barrel. The revolver is housed in a period, close-fitting brown leather flap holster with crimson leatherette lining and brown leather snake buckle waist belt. The leather of the holster is slightly stiff with numerous small surface scuffs and some tearing of the leather lining which comes in contact with the sharply pointed saw-handle grip. The belt is adjustable for length, and has moderate flaking, but is still quite flexible. This is a fine-near excellent example of a rarely seen British revolver. Antique