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LOT 199
Exceptional Civil War Cased Factory Engraved Manhattan Arms .36 Caliber
Navy Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 30646, 36 cal., 6 1/2 inch octagon bbl., nickel
finish, walnut grips. This beautiful Civil War revolver is one of the finest Manhattan
revolvers known. It is the Series III variation of a Manhattan Arms Navy percussion
revolver manufactured c. September 1861 to April 1864 per the Manhattan Firearms
online guide which lists a serial number range of approximately 14,5000 to 45,200 for
this variation. The timing is significant as it places the revolver’s production during
the Civil War and after Master Engraver Gustave Young’s return to Hartford. Herbert
Houze on page 135 of “Colt Factory Engravers of the Nineteenth Century” shows
that records indicate Young was identified in the directory as a pistol maker in 1863
and then an engraver again in 1864. 1864 is also notably the year of Colt’s factory
fire. There was a ready market for engraved revolvers for presentation to veterans
returning home as well as officers receiving promotions. This revolver features five
highly detailed scenes from the Civil War engraved on the cylinder: two naval scenes,
two cavalry vs. infantry scenes, and one infantry scene. All of the scenes featuring
revolvers. These Civil War themed scenes have been seen on a select number of
other factory engraved Manhattan Navy revolvers, but we have never seen one with
the scenes so crisp. The balance of the engraving consists mostly of classic Germanic
Gustave Young style scrollwork on beaded backgrounds on the breech end of the
barrel, lug of the loading lever, frame, trigger guard bow, top and bottom of back
strap and butt. A wolf’s head motif like those engraved by Young at Colt is featured
on the hammer. A fan pattern is featured behind the hammer. The top barrel flat is
stamped with the one-line Newark address with scallop and dot border. The revolver
is finished with full nickel plating and is fitted with a varnished one-piece walnut
grip. Matching full or partial serial numbers appear on the barrel, frame, trigger
guard, back strap, wedge, cylinder, and arbor pin. The period partitioned has velvet
lining and contains an Eley’s cap tin, case key, double sided fan pattern powder flask,
“L” shaped combination tool, and Manhattan arms marked iron ball/bullet mold.
CONDITION: Excellent with extraordinarily crisp engraving, 95% plus original nickel
finish, minor loss on the rear of the cylinder, and minimal handling and storage
marks. The grip is also excellent with some scattered handling marks and nearly
all original varnish remaining. The revolver mechanically needs work as cylinder
does not always rotate when the action is cycled. The case is fine with hairline
cracks visible on the lid, handling/storage marks, and high spot wear on the faded
lining. The accessories are very good to fine. A great work of 19th century American
firearms artistry commemorating the Civil War.
Estimate: 8,500 - 14,000 205