Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original American Standard Tool Co. .22 Rimfire tip-up vest revolver, closely patterned after the Smith & Wesson Model 1. It features a seven shot cylinder, 3 1/8" barrel, spur trigger, walnut grips, engraved cylinder, and matching serial number 18463 on the barrel, cylinder, and frame.

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

American Standard Tool Co. grew out of the earlier Manhattan Firearms Manufacturing Co., established in 1859, in Norwich, Connecticut, and would later move to Newark, N.J.. During the Civil War they produced over 150,000 Revolvers running second only to COLT and REMINGTON. During the final years of the war and afterwards they manufactured "copies" of the Smith & Wesson .22 Model 1 and .32 Model 1 1/2 Revolvers. This continued after their name change in 1868 to American Standard Tool. This example follows the basic Smith & Wesson tip-up pocket revolver concept, with a hinged barrel assembly, removable cylinder, and central ejector rod beneath the barrel.

The matching serial number:

18463

is found on the underside of the barrel, rear of the cylinder, and left side of the frame beneath the grip, indicating that the principal serialized components remain together.

The top of the barrel is clearly marked:

AMERICAN STANDARD TOOL Co. NEWARK N.J.

The revolver was likely originally finished with a blued or case finished barrel and cylinder together with a nickel plated brass frame. Most of the exposed original finish is now gone. The steel components have aged to a worn polished gray appearance, while the brass frame has developed an attractive mustard toned patina. Small traces of nickel plating remain protected beneath the grip panels.

The cylinder retains a substantial portion of its decorative engraving, depicting a frontier scene involving Native Americans and European or American settlers. The engraving remains considerably clearer than is often encountered on heavily worn pocket revolvers of this type.

The revolver is fitted with flat bottom American black walnut grips finished with a piano varnish type surface. Much of the varnish remains, with handling wear concentrated along the lower corners. A small section is missing from the lower rear of the right grip panel, but no other major grip damage is noted.

The tip-up action exposes a seven shot .22 Rimfire cylinder for loading and unloading. A central ejector rod beneath the barrel can be used to remove spent cartridge cases from the cylinder chambers.

The action functions very well in its present condition, with crisp operation, accurate cylinder indexing, and solid lockup. There is slight cylinder movement at full cock, while the frame hinge remains solid and the action opens correctly for loading. These observations describe only the revolver’s present mechanical condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that it is safe to load or fire.

The bore is in very good condition with a bright interior and clearly defined three groove rifling. There is evidence of minor past fouling and oxidation that has since been cleaned, but the rifling remains crisp.

With its matching serial number 18463, clear American Standard Tool Co. Newark marking, seven shot .22 Rimfire cylinder, surviving frontier scene engraving, walnut grips, functional tip-up action, and very good three groove bore, this is a strong example of a compact post Civil War American vest revolver. The loss of most original finish, mustard patina to the brass frame, grip wear and missing chip, slight cylinder movement, and cleaned bore oxidation are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in an American Standard Tool Co., Smith & Wesson pattern pocket revolver, .22 Rimfire vest pistol, or advanced 19th century American firearms collection.

Specifications:

Years of Manufacture: 1868-1873
Maker: American Standard Tool Co.
Serial No.: 18463
Caliber: .22 Cal
Ammunition Type: Rimfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 3 1/8 inches
Overall Length: 7 1/4 inches
Action: Single Action
Feed System: 7 Shot Revolver
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

History of Manhattan Firearms / American Standard Tool Co.:

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 caliber Pocket and .36 caliber 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.

After the Civil War, Manhattan production primarily consisted of a copy of the Smith & Wesson .22 caliber cartridge revolver and a single-shot boot pistol under the name "HERO". Manhattan changed it's name in 1868 to American Standard Tool Company and began to market industrial tools as well as firearms. American Standard Tool closed during the financial panic of 1873.

Manhattan Firearms also manufactured guns under the trade names “Hero”, “London Pistol Company”, and “American Standard Tool”.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to most US States and most U.S. territories.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to most addresses within the United States.