Manhattan Series I Pocket Revolver, Civil War Era

Description

The Manhattan Firearms Company was founded in 1856 in New York, largely due to the expiration of Colt’s patent in 1857. They produced single-shot pistols, pepperbox pistols, and revolvers of calibers ranging from .22 to .36. While Manhattan had no large government contracts, many of these were privately purchased by officers and men of both sides before and during the Civil War. Approximately 4800 percussion pocket model revolvers in .31 caliber were produced at their Newark, NJ factory between 1858 and 1862, of which approximately 1000 were the Series I. These were basically a copy of the 1849 Colt Pocket Revolver, but did have a few features specific to and patented by Manhattan. This is an early production Series I, featuring a non-engraved 5-shot, 5-stop cylinder, as opposed to the more common production with engraved 10-stop cylinder. Octagonal 4” barrel, stamped “MANHATTAN FIREARMS/MANUF’G. CO. NEW YORK” on the top flat. Scoll-engraved frame, two-piece walnut grips. Serial number “157” stamped on underside of barrel, wedge, and butt of frame (the latter heavily worn). Metal with light pitting and oxidation, retaining traces of bluing on barrel. Bore is worn. Action functions, but cylinder does not always fully rotate to the next stop. Grips very good. Overall length 8 5/8”.