A Rare, American, US Civil War Pattern Manhattan Fire Arms Co Newark N.J .36 Cal. Revolver

An Original US Civil War Manhattan Colt 'Navy' Revolver .36 cal. This is a good, original, 6 ½” octagonal barrel version of the Manhattan Colt Navy .36" Calibre, 5 shot percussion revolver with drop down loading lever. It was a fine gun, utilizing 5 shot instead of Colts 6 shot system, so the gun had the size advantage over the standard Colt Navy, but more effective than the smaller calibre Colt pocket revolver. The metal work has nice patina throughout. It has a lightly engraved cylinder and the top of the frame is engraved Manhattan Fire Arms Co Newark N.J'. The pistol's steel frame, barrel block, brass butt strap & trigger guard assembly and stamped with serial number The cylinder is lightly decorated and engraved 'Patented Dec 27 1859'. It has an attractive Walnut grip. The Manhattan Fire Arms Manufacturing Co. was founded by a group of New Jersey businessmen in 1856. Their goal was to take advantage of Colt’s patent for revolving firearms that was due to expire in 1857. The founders hired Thomas Bacon to became the Superintendent of Manufacturing.
Manufacturing began in Norwich, Connecticut and in 1859 moved to Newark, New Jersey. Thomas Bacon remained in Norwich and started his own firearms company. During their existence, Manhattan Firearms produced approximately 175,000 pistols. Only Colt, Remington, and Winchester produced more guns during this era in which included the Civil War.

While waiting for Colt’s patent to expire, Manhattan first made copies of American firearms that no longer had patent protection. These included pepperboxes and various single-shot designs. Shortly thereafter, they turned their attention to making Colt-style revolvers in both the .31 calibre Pocket and .36 calibre Navy styles. Manhattan patented an extra set of cylinder safety notches on these models. Manhattans can be easily identified by the many notches on their cylinders. The spring is very good as its rotation, but it doesn't always locate on the notches so it sticks on occassion, It is a beautiful and original artefact of the American Civil War and would make a fabulous original antique display piece.

Code: 25238