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LOT 1110
Very Fine Factory Engraved Moore’s
Patent Firearms Front Loading Revolver
with Rare Picture Box and Box of Cartridges -
Serial no. J49, 32 teat-fire cal., 3 1/4 inch round bbl.,
blue/silver finish, varnished wood grips. These distinctive pocket revolvers
were manufactured by the Moore’s Patent Firearms Company circa 1864 to
1870. They load from the front and use teat-fire cartridges with the primer in
a projecting “teat” at the rear end which fits through the small openings at the rear of the cylinder.
This allowed these revolvers to get around Rollin White’s claim for patent protection on the bored
through cylinder. This example features very attractive scroll engraving with beaded background.
The top of the barrel is marked with the Moore’s one-line address and has a half-moon nickel-silver
blade front sight. The underside of the barrel is marked “949”, the grips are stamped “49”, and the left side of
the back strap has “J49”. The revolver comes with a scarce blue factory box with green top label showing an illustration
of an engraved “NEW MODEL/CARTRIDGE REVOLVER/MANUFACTURED BY/Moore’s Patent Fire Arms Company,/BROOKLYN, N. Y.” containing a rod and
advertisement within, and a rare orange box with black label reading “FIFTY No. 32/METALLIC/CENTRAL FIRE WATER PROOF/National Revolver/CARTRIDGES./
WILLIAMSON”S PATENT. ISSUED JANUARY 5th, 1864.”
CONDITION: Very fine with 90% plus original silver plating remaining and displaying attractively aged patina, 70% plus original blue finish, mild flaking to
smooth brown patina, and mostly only light handling and storage related wear. The grips are also very fine and retain glossy finish and have minor dings
and handling marks. Mechanically excellent. The engraving is crisp. The boxes are very good with mild age and storage related wear, some corner separation,
tape reinforcement on some corners of the revolver box, distinct picture label, and mostly distinct cartridge label. The ammunition is good with
moderate corrosion.
Provenance: Property of a Distinguished Southern Clergyman.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 1109
Cased Factory
Acid Etched, Engraved,
Gold and Silver Plated
Moore’s Patent Firearms Co. Front Loading
Teatfire Revolver - Serial no. 7129, 32 teat-fire
cal., 3 1/4 inch round bbl., silver/gold finish,
hardwood grips. Moore’s Patent Fire Arms
Co. was one of the major competitors for Smith & Wesson in the
metallic cartridge revolver market in 1861-1865 and then operated
as the National Arms Company until it was purchased by Colt in
1870. The majority of the approximately 30,000 Moore’s patent front
loading pocket revolvers manufactured in 1864-1870 were finished in blue and silver, and only
a smaller number received full deluxe treatment as seen on this incredible example which
features etching on the barrel and cylinder, an engraved frame, silver plating on the barrel,
gold plating on the barrel and frame, and varnished grips. The etching and engraving feature
scrollwork along with floral accents, and the cylinder also includes a martial trophy motif. The
barrel is marked “MOORE’S PAT FIREARMS Co. BROOKLYN, N.Y.” in a panel, and the cylinder
has “D. WILLIAMSON’S PATENT JANUARY 5, 1864” marked in a floral panel near the rear edge.
“7129” is marked on the underside of the barrel. “BR29” is marked on the back of the cylinder,
on the left side of the frame under the left grip, and on the back of each grip. “9” is also visible
on the left side of the hammer. The revolver comes in a fitted case with a 50-round cartridge block mostly full of ammunition.
CONDITION: Very fine with 85% plus original finish, attractive aged patina forming on the silver, bright gold on the frame, aged gold on the cylinder, crisp engraving and etching, and minor overall wear. The grips
are fine and have mild edge wear, most of the dark varnish remaining, and some scratches. Mechanically fine. The case is very good with minor age and storage related wear. The ammunition is very good with
moderate to heavy oxidation of the lead. Overall, this is a very attractive and rare cased set.
Provenance: The Brig & Louise Pemberton Collection.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
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