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LOT 3183
Exceptional Civil War
Era Factory Engraved Moore’s Patent Firearms Single Action Belt
Revolver - Serial no. 6248, 32 RF cal., 5 inch octagon bbl., blue/silver finish, walnut
grips. These distinctive seven-shot rimfire pocket revolvers were manufactured by the Moore’s
Patent Firearms Company circa 1861-1863, prior to Moore suffering a loss of an infringement suit
brought by Smith & Wesson relating to Rollin White’s patents, forcing the company to subsequently
shift to manufacturing a front loading teat-fire revolver. A number of these were known to have
been privately purchased by Union officers and enlisted men during the Civil War. Features very attractive Nimschke
style scroll engraving with beaded backgrounds on the frame, patterns on the back strap, and starbursts on the bottom of the trigger guard and
butt. The top of the barrel is marked “MANFD FOR SMITH & WESSON BY MOORE’S PAT FIRE ARMS CO.” and has a nickel-silver bead front sight. The
underside of the barrel is numbered “6248”, the right of both grip straps are marked “14J” which is repeated inside the grip mortise.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 85% plus bright original blue finish on the barrel and cylinder with some scattered minor surface flaking and
smooth brown patina on the balance, 70% original silver plating on the frame and grip straps with bright golden patina on the exposed brass, sharp engraving, and 50% plus
vivid original case colors on the hammer. Grip is very fine with most of the
original piano varnish finish, minor lower edge finish wear, some scattered
light handling marks, and defined edges. Broken hammer mainspring,
otherwise mechanically functions by hand.
Provenance: The Andrew Singer Collection.
Estimate: 4,750 - 6,500
LOT 3182
Cased Factory Acid Etched,
Engraved, and Silver Plated
Moore’s Patent Firearms Co.
Front Loading Teatfire Revolver with Carved Grip -
Serial no. 10977, 32 teat-fire cal., 3 1/4 inch round bbl.,
silver finish, antique ivory 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 a full silver plated finish, etching on the
barrel and cylinder, an engraved frame, and a carved dragoon’s head on the left
grip. 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. “10977” is marked on the underside of the barrel. The revolver comes in a fitted
rosewood case with a 50-round cartridge block full of ammunition.
CONDITION: Very fine overall with crisp engraving, etching, and carving; attractive
aged patina on the silver, 75% plus original silver plating remaining with fading mainly on the frame, and generally minor age and storage related
wear. Mechanically fine. The case is very good and has minor age and storage related wear. The ammunition is good with heavy oxidation to the lead. This
is a very attractive cased set. These Moore revolver’s were one of the few alternatives available if you wanted a metallic cartridge revolver that was not a Smith & Wesson in the 1860s.
Provenance: The Brig & Louise Pemberton Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
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