Manhattan Fire Arms .36 Caliber Navy Revolver Series V, 1867-1868 Antique British Marked 6-Shot Percussion Cap & Ball Newark

Sold For: $2,525

LSB#: 200922JM02

Make: Manhattan Arms Co.

Model: Series V .36 Caliber “Navy” Revolver

Serial Number: 3028

Year of Manufacture: 1867-1868

Caliber: .36 Caliber Ball

Action Type: Single Action Cap and Ball, 6-Shot, Black Powder Revolver

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “MANHATTAN FIRE ARMS CO. NEWARK N.J. / PATENTED MARCH 8. 1864”. The underside of the frame, barrel assembly, wedge,  trigger guard and backstrap are marked “3028”. The outside of the cylinder has decorative roll-engraving as well as “PATENTED”, “DEC 27. 1859”. There are British proof marks on the outside of the cylinder between each chamber and on the left of the barrel assembly.

Barrel Length: 4” Octagonal

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a “V” notch in the hammer, visible when cocked.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is one-piece smooth walnut. There is a vertical crack on the right of the grip extending to the bottom edge with a smaller crack in front of this near the bottom-front corner and there are a couple of small losses along the bottom edge on the right side. Otherwise, there are only a few scattered light marks. The wood is slightly shy to the grip frame, possibly indicating refinishing, maybe just shrinkage from age. Overall, the grip is in about Good condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue Barrel and Cylinder, Case Colored Frame, Silver Plated Brass Trigger Guard and Backstrap

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is worn, but visible. There is light erosion and pitting scattered through the bore.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 60% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The strongest finish is found in the barrel, loading lever and frame. The grip frame retains silver only in a few scattered patches, most inside the trigger guard, the remainder worn to bare brass and showing some scattered light nicks and scuffs. The cylinder has mostly gone to a light patina, mottled with some spots of remaining finish, with a turn line and some minor erosion. The barrel has some scattered light wear and surface oxidation. The frame and lever have surprisingly strong case color with some minor surface oxidation and a few light scratches. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with useable slots. Most markings are clear, the cylinder’s roll-engraving is faint, the barrel’s serial marking is shallow. Overall, this revolver is in about Very Good-Fine condition as Antique (see Mechanics).

Mechanics: The pawl does not properly advance the cylinder on one chamber. For the other five chambers, the action functions correctly. The cylinder locks up with very little play on each chamber. The barrel has no play to the frame. The trigger is crisp. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The pistol comes in a wooden presentation case, English fit for the revolver, a cap tin, bullet mold, powder flask and balls with a key for the case included. The interior is lined in blue fabric. The exterior has light storage wear with a few scattered nicks and scratches. The interior shows wear from its contents. Overall, the case is in about Very Good-Fine condition. The mold is a steel two cavity with a pivoting sprue cutter which is marked “MANHATTAN ARMS / MANUFG. / CO. / N.Y.” The mold is capable of producing one round ball and one conical projectile. The mold shows scattered erosion and pitting, nicks, scratches and operational wear. The mold is in about Fair-Good condition. The small copper powder flask with brass fittings and adjustable spout has infrequent minor discoloration and light handling wear, in about Very Good-Fine condition.

Our Assessment: With the expiration of the 1836 Colt patent on revolving cylinders containing multiple chambers looming on the horizon in the late 1850s, many pistol manufacturers prepared to offer a similar product of their own as soon as they possibly could. The Manhattan Arms Company would produce a wide variety of percussion pistols, culminating in the .36 caliber Manhattan Navy models, of which about 78,000 were manufactured. Manhattan Arms never received a military contract, but their pistols did see service during the Civil War, purchased by affluent soldiers because it was reliable and lighter weight than the Colt Army model. This is a Series V, which was manufactured between 1867 and 1868, distinguished by its six-shot cylinder. The serial numbers on all marked parts match, 60% of the original finish remains, and this particular revolver has British proof marks, indicating that it made its way across the pond at some point in its life. The pistol come in a wooden case with a typical assortment of accessories, including a bullet mold stamped with the Manhattan Arms logo. All in all, this is a fantastic collector’s piece. Please see our photos and good luck!

CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This Antique percussion revolver can be transferred in California.