{"product_id":"original-u-s-civil-war-era-moores-patent-firearms-teat-fire-32-cal-brass-frame-engraved-revolver-serial-18305","title":"Original U.S. Civil War Era Moore's Patent Firearms Teat Fire .32 Cal Brass Frame Engraved Revolver - Serial 18305","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a really great example of a small just post Civil War Moore's Patent revolver with a six shot cylinder in .32 Teat-fire caliber. The frame is brass, and unlike many other examples we have had, it still retains some of the nickel plating. It has beautiful floral and scroll engraving all over the frame, with some minimal accent engraving on the barrel. It also still retains much of the original blued finish on cylinder, which we rarely see. It still has a set of lovely walnut grip scales installed, which were finished with black lacquer at the factory.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe underside of the barrel is marked with serial number \u003cstrong\u003e18305\u003c\/strong\u003e, which we estimate puts production around 1867. Additionally, the gun is marked on the rear of the barrel, on the rear of the cylinder, cylinder arbor pin, and under the grip scales with assembly number \u003cstrong\u003eFV 5\u003c\/strong\u003e, which is even on the interior of \u003cstrong\u003eBOTH\u003c\/strong\u003e grip scales. Only the barrel wedge is an unmarked arsenal replacement. This is a very nice \u003cstrong\u003e\"MOSTLY MATCHING\"\u003c\/strong\u003e example, with no major parts swapped out over the years!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese were made by the National Arms Company in Brooklyn, NY, however only some were marked by the company, while others were marked by Moore's company. The 3 1\/4\" barrel of this example is still clearly marked on the top :-\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMOORES PAT. FIRE ARMS CO. BROOKLYN N.Y.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe back of the cylinder is also marked with patent information:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eD. WILLIAMSON'S PATENT JANUARY 5. 1864\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe action is tight and moves smoothly, without any of the finicky behavior we often see on revolvers of this age. The hammer does need to be pulled back strongly to lock it into the fully cocked position. It properly breaks down when the barrel wedge is removed, and has the early pattern gate on the lower right barrel, which would allow cartridges to be removed and loaded when open. There is a small inlet on the back of the recoil shield where an ejection tool would be used to push out spent cartridges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe checked the bore, and it is in very good condition, with crisp lands and grooves and a mostly bright finish. There is some fouling and oxidation in the grooves, but it is definitely in way better condition than most black powder revolvers we see. The brass frame still has some of the original nickel plating present with the rest faded to a mustard patina. The grips are in good shape with a lovely color, the factory black finish retained very well. The cylinder still shows much of the original bluing, which is also present on the hammer, while the barrel shows a more worn patina.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn lovely condition with some fantastic engraving, this is definitely a very nice example of a Moore's Patent teat fire revolver. An interesting stepping stone in firearms development, ready to add to your collection!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYears of Manufacture: 1864-1870\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: .32 cal Teat-fire\u003cbr\u003eAmmunition Type: Teat-Fire cartridge\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 3 1\/4 inches\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 7 inches\u003cbr\u003eAction: Single Action\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: 6 Shot Revolver\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Teat-fire cartridge was a .32 caliber pistol cartridge designed by Daniel Moore and manufactured by Moore and his partner David Williamson for their Pocket Revolver and was produced under both the Moore and National Arms marques by the National Arms Company of Brooklyn, New York in the mid-19th century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Moore Caliber .32 Teat-fire, which used a unique cartridge to get around the Rollin White patent owned by Horace Smith and Daniel Wesson, proved very popular during the Civil War, with both soldiers and civilians. The \"Teat-fire\" cartridges did not have a rim at the back like conventional cartridges, but were rounded at the rear, with a small \"teat\" that would protrude through a tiny opening in the rear of the cylinder. The priming mixture was contained in the \"teat\" and when the hammer struck it, the cartridge would fire. Thus, it was akin to a rimfire cartridge, but instead of having priming all the way around the edge of the rim, it is centrally located in the teat. This also meant that the revolver cylinder was loaded from the front, which is why there is a loading gate at the front of the frame, and not the rear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMoore's Caliber .32 Teat-fire Pocket Revolver proved very popular during the American Civil War, with both soldiers and civilians. National Arms produced about 30,000 of the revolvers from 1864 to 1870, when it was acquired by Colt's Manufacturing Company.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41959611990085,"sku":"ONJR23ASD07","price":1095.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR23ASD07__01.jpg?v=1726875282","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-civil-war-era-moores-patent-firearms-teat-fire-32-cal-brass-frame-engraved-revolver-serial-18305","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}