1898 G. A. Owen Revolver Patent Firearm Art 20x16 Vintage Gun Print on Custom Parchment - Landscape Version

Our Prints are Museum Grade from Beginning to End and we SHIP FLAT to keep them that way. Read more below.

This patent may not be as famous as the big-brand wheelguns, but don’t let that fool you. This was a groundbreaking design that thrived on simplicity and reliability—key qualities when black powder residue and spotty metallurgy could literally blow up in your face. Owen’s focus on a solid cylinder lock-up and user-friendly extraction elevated his revolver to near-legend status for those in the know.

From dusty frontier towns to the occasional big-city detective’s pocket, the 1898 Owen was praised for holding up under rough-and-tumble conditions. While it never received the same hype as some iconic revolvers of its era, collectors today regard it as a hidden gem. Big names like Smith & Wesson, Iver Johnson, and Harrington & Richardson all produced revolvers that, in one way or another, echoed Owen’s top-break efficiency, robust lock-up, or ergonomic grip. Next time you’re eyeing that old revolver at a gun show, keep an eye out—there might just be a little piece of Owen’s genius spinning in that cylinder.

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Hazel Alice Patent Art Prints
This is Art. Created by us. We don’t use flimsy white paper pretending to be parchment. Nope. We make these prints on 110# Natural Vellum Parchment, custom-made just for us. It’s thick, luxurious, and has the timeless weight and feel of an art museum piece—because that’s exactly what it is.

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Unlike others who treat your art like a poster from 1997 (shoved in a tube, never to fully uncurl again), we treat it like the masterpiece it is. Each print is:

✅ Shipped Flat. Always.
✅ Sealed in an archival-grade plastic sleeve
✅ Sandwiched between sturdy corrugated sheets
✅ Packed inside a heavy-duty, flat cardboard box

Guns Nearly Influenced by the 1898 Patent (Make, Model, Caliber)

The following revolvers share key design elements—particularly cylinder operation, lock-up, and overall ergonomic style—with G. A. Owen’s 1898 Patent:

Smith & Wesson

Models & Production: Safety Hammerless 1st Model (1887–1902), Safety Hammerless 2nd Model (1902–1909), Safety Hammerless 3rd Model (1909–1937)

Common Calibers: .32 S&W or .38 S&W

Key Similarities: Top-break design and an enclosed hammer—mirroring Owen’s simplified extraction mechanism and providing a compact, snag-free profile.

Iver Johnson

Models & Production: “Safety Automatic” Revolver 1st Model (1894–1896), “Safety Automatic” Revolver 2nd Model (1896–1908), “Safety Automatic” Revolver 3rd Model (1909–1941)

Common Calibers: .32 S&W or .38 S&W

Key Similarities: The famous “hammer-the-hammer” transfer bar safety underscores Owen’s focus on reliable ignition and user protection. Iver Johnson also produced the U.S. Revolver Co. line (c. 1910–1935), which shared many of these mechanical features.

Harrington & Richardson Top-Break Revolvers

Models & Production: Automatic Ejecting 1st Model (1885–1889), Automatic Ejecting 2nd Model (1890–1892), Premier (multiple variations), Hammerless Models (various dates)

Common Calibers: Typically .32 S&W or .38 S&W

Key Similarities: Owen’s user-friendly latch system and quick ejection were mirrored by H&R’s “Automatic Ejecting” lines, prized for their simplicity in an era of black powder residue.

Forehand & Wadsworth Top-Break Models

Models & Production: Forehand & Wadsworth Hammerless Revolver (1890s), British Bulldog variants (late 19th century)

Common Calibers: .32 or .38

Key Similarities: Their robust cylinder locking system closely reflects Owen’s strong lock-up principle, ensuring solid alignment and reliable firing.

Merwin Hulbert Pocket Models

Models: Pocket Model (various grip styles), Frontier Model, Pocket Army

Common Calibers: Ranging from .32 to .44

Key Similarities: Though Merwin Hulbert designs date earlier, they share mechanical parallels like quick ejection, simplified frame construction, and an emphasis on smooth operation—akin to Owen’s 1898 patent.

Hopkins & Allen XL Top-Break

Models & Production: XL No. 3 and variations (late 19th to early 20th century)

Common Calibers: .32 S&W, .38 S&W

Key Similarities: The top-break latch and easy-eject system, combined with a sturdy lock-up, place it in the same technical lineage as Owen’s revolver.