Page 131 - 4094-BOOK3

129
LOT 3160
Exceptional Very Scarce Cased Massachusetts Arms Co. Adams Patent
Pocket Model Double Action Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 4691, 31 cal.,
3 1/4 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured c. 1857-1861,
approximately 4,500 of these Pocket Model double action revolvers were
produced by the Mass. Arms Co. based on Adams’ patent. In reality this design
was based on Adams’ patent, the double and single action function based on
Beaumont’s patent, and the loading lever based on Kerr’s patent, but generally
it’s Adams’ name attached to the design. These revolvers were generally
considered stronger than Colts, with the frame and barrel being of all one
piece, and the double action function gave it a significant advantage in rapid
firepower. On top of these advantages, these Pocket Model Adams revolvers
were generally smaller than Colt’s Model 1849 Pocket, making them more
suitable for being concealed in a coat pocket, a major factor in their being few
high condition examples left for collectors. This high condition example has the standard three-line Adams patent and Mass. Arms Co. marking on the
top strap, while the serial number is marked on the left of the frame and the cylinder. It is fitted with a brass cone front sight and notch rear sight on the
top rear of the frame, as well as a checkered walnut grip. It includes a hardwood case, Mass. Arms marked ball mold, powder flask, cap tin,
combination tool, and a selection of balls and bullets.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 90% plus of the bright, original, high polish blue finish with some light spotting near the muzzle and some very light
flash pitting on the edges of the top strap and rear of the barrel/front of the cylinder. The grip is also excellent with a few light handling marks and crisp
checkering. Mechanically excellent. The case is very fine with some scattered light handling/storage marks. The accessories are all fine to very fine. An
exceptional cased Mass. Arms Co. Adams revolver set with all the accessories! It would be difficult to improve upon this example!
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 3159
Exceptional Presentation Cased Factory Engraved Mass.
Arms Co. Maynard Primed Belt Revolver with Factory Acid
Etched Hand Revolved Cylinder - Serial no. 620, 31 cal., 6 inch
round bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. One
of only approximately 1,000 manufactured c. 1851-1857, these
“Belt revolvers” or “John Brown Models” were the altered version
of the earlier Wesson & Leavitt Dragoon revolvers, with at least
200 shipped to abolitionist John Brown in Kansas in 1857. When
the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Massachusetts
granted Samuel Colt an injunction against Mass. Arms Co. in 1851
that prevented them from making the Wesson & Leavitt revolvers,
the company was forced to find a work around to making revolvers
without infringing on Colt’s patents. They turned to making hand
turned revolvers. To make these more primitive firearms more
palatable to the public, Mass Arms Co. equipped it with Maynard’s
“advanced” tape priming system, but these revolvers were
naturally still not very popular, leaving production rather limited.
This example shows beautiful factory embellishment, including
flourishes of floral scroll engraving on the sides of the frame and
hammer, acid etched floral and martial motifs on the cylinder, and
an American eagle and shield on the primer door. It is fitted with
a small button ahead of the trigger which releases the cylinder for
manual rotation. The standard Mass. Arms. Co. address is on the
top strap and the Maynard’s patent markings on the primer door.
The serial number “620” is on the front face of the frame and the assembly
number “85” is on various other components. It is fitted with a pair of smooth
walnut grips. Includes a hardwood case with bullet mold, powder flask,
priming tape tin (all three Mass. Arms Co. marked), ramrod, key,
primer tape, and a few balls.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 60% plus of the original blue finish, 40% of the
original case colors, and 70% of the original silver with the balance having
thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina and both the etching and engraving
remaining exceptionally crisp. The grips are very fine with a few scattered
minor dings. Mechanically excellent. The case is very fine with some mild
wear on the interior and a few light handling/storage marks on the exterior.
The accessories are fine with some mild wear. An exceptional example of a
rare Mass. Arms Co. Belt revolver that is complete
with the case and accessories!
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500