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LOT 1109
Factory Acid Etched, Engraved, and Silver Plated Moore’s
Patent Firearms Co. Front Loading Teatfire Revolver with Rare
Factory Picture Box - Serial no. 7023, 32 teat-fire cal., 3 1/4 inch
round bbl., silver 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 a full silver plated finish, ornate acid etching on the barrel and
cylinder, and an elaborately engraved frame. 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. “7023” is marked on the underside
of the barrel. Includes a very rare factory picture box.
LOT 1110
Exceptionally Fine Factory Engraved and Silver Plated Moore’s
Patent Firearms Co. No. 1 Derringer - Serial no. 1038, 41 RF cal., 2 1/2
inch flat top round bbl., silver finish, metal grips. The Moore derringers
were manufactured in the first half of the 1860s and were the first large
caliber cartridge derringers. This same basic design was also manufactured
by the National Arms Company and Colt later in the century. This example
has the typical factory scroll, arrow, and floral engraving on the frame,
grip, and barrel. The top of the barrel is marked with the one-line address
and the serial number is on the bottom. This example retains a remarkable
amount of the silver plating, considering these derringers often saw
significant wear due to being carried in a pocket.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 85% of the original silver finish
which shows an attractively aged patina and some scattered light flaking.
The engraving is crisp. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 95% of the very attractively
aged silver plating with some light edge wear, a few
scattered spots of flaking, and both the acid etching and
engraving remaining very crisp. The grips are very fine with
a few scattered light handling marks. Mechanically excellent.
The box is very fine with some light handling/storage wear
and marks. A beautiful piece of firearms art by Moore’s
Patent Firearms Co.
Provenance: The Brig & Louise Pemberton Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500