Page 229 - 4094-BOOK1

227
LOT 228
Attractive Factory Engraved Manhattan
Arms Co. Series III Navy Percussion Revolver with Ivory Grip
- Serial no. 42849, 36 cal., 6 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/
silver finish, antique ivory grips. Manufactured c. late 1861 to early
1864, this is a very attractive example of a masterfully engraved, Civil
War era, Manhattan Arms Co. “Navy Type” revolver. This particular example shows extensive
factory engraving exhibiting the typical very high quality that Manhattan is known for. These
revolvers were mechanically and visually almost identical to Colt’s Model 1851 navy revolver,
however, the majority of Manhattan’s sales were privately on the commercial market,
leading to many of these revolvers being beautifully embellished like this example, to appeal to the discerning
customer. This specific revolver shows extensive floral scroll engraving, very much in the style of L.D. Nimschke
and Gustave Young, which covers about 3/4 of the surfaces and includes all of the major components apart
from the cylinder, which has the standard panel scene roll mark. The one line Manhattan address is marked on
top of the barrel and the patent marking is towards the rear of the cylinder. The matching serial number is on
the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, rear face of the cylinder, arbor pin, and bottom barrel lug. The barrel
wedge is mismatched by three digits, number “42852”. It is fitted with a brass blade front sight and a hammer
groove rear sight, as well as a smooth one-piece ivory grip.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining traces of the original finishes with the balance mostly a smooth grey patina and
attractively aged brass, some scattered light pitting, visible cylinder scenes, and crisp engraving overall. The
slightly shrunken grip is very fine with a few hairline age lines on the butt and a few light handling marks.
Mechanically excellent. A very attractive, factory engraved Manhattan Navy!
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 226
Very Fine
Civil War U.S.
Martially Inspected Starr Model 1858 Army
Double Action Percussion Revolver - Serial no.
83987, 44 cal., 6 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips.
An estimated 23,000 of these revolvers were manufactured
in the late 1850s and early 1860s; most were purchased by the U.S.
Government, and along with the Starr Model 1863 revolver, are
consider the third most widely used revolvers by Union forces during
the Civil War, following only Colt and Remington. During the war years and
after the Colt factory fire, production shifted, upon government request, to the
less expensive and more reliable single action Model 1863. This example has the standard “STARR.
ARMS. Co. NEW. YORK.” address on left side of frame and “STARR’S PATENT JAN. 15, 1856” on the
right. The serial numbers throughout match, and there are small Ordnance Department inspection
marks on several components. The revolver is fitted with a smooth one-piece walnut grip with a
“BH” ( Benjamin Hannis) cartouche on the right and double struck “RHKW” (Robert Henry Kirkland
Whiteley) on the left.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 70% plus of the bright, original, high polish
blue finish and 60% of the original case colors on the hammer and loading
lever with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina and
some minor vise marks on the sides of the frame at the breech. The grip
is also very fine with a few minor handling marks and crisp cartouches.
Mechanically functions fine.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 227
Very Early
Production Starr Arms Company Model
1858 Army Double Action Percussion
Revolver - Serial no. 279, 44 cal., 6 inch round bbl.,
blue finish, walnut grips. Produced in the 1850’s and
60’s, few Starr revolvers are seen in any condition without
military markings. The Starr address “STARR.ARMS.Co. NEW.
YORK” is located on the right side of the frame below the cylinder
and the “STARR’S PATENT JAN., 15, 1858.” patent date is stamped on
the opposite side. The serial number is located on the barrel, cylinder, in the hammer well,
and on the inside of the hammer, all matching. Smooth unmarked one piece walnut grips.
CONDITION: Extremely fine, with 80% plus of the bright original high polish blue finish,
showing patches of brown patina on the barrel, gray patina on the grip straps, on the
high edges and scattered light scratches and spotting concentrated on the cylinder. The
case colors remain 90% intact and bright and vivid on the hammer and lever, showing some
dings and fading to brown. Grips are excellent, with a few minor dings. Action functions, but needs
adjustment as the second trigger is stuck.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 225
Very Scarce Civil War Era
Hoard’s Armory Freeman Army Model Percussion
Revolver - Serial no. 1293, 44 cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue
finish, walnut grips. This is one of only approximately 2,000 Freeman’s patent
revolvers manufactured c. 1863-1865. The Ordnance Department originally
ordered 5,000, but the contract ultimately was not filled. However, some of
these revolvers were purchased for use during the Civil War on the state and
private level. These revolvers have an interesting method of securing and removing the cylinder:
a small switch on the right side that when pressed forward allows the cylinder and pin to fall out
to the right. Equipped with a blade front sight and frame groove rear sight with “FREEMAN’S PAT.
DECR 9. 1862” on the right of the sight groove and “HOARD’S ARMORY, WATERTOWN, N.Y” on the
left. Matching serial number on the bottom of the barrel, loading lever, bottom of the frame, right
of the grip frame, rear face of the cylinder, and inside both grip panels in pencil
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 80% plus of the original blue finish and 60% of the muted case colors on the hammer
with some mild handling wear, some light flaking showing a brown patina, and bright areas on the right of the barrel
and right rear of the frame. The grips are fine with some scattered minor dings and a hairline crack in the left panel.
Mechanically fine. A very fine example of a scarce Civil War era Freeman’s patent revolver!
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500