Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very attractive Civil War era Manhattan Fire Arms Company Series III Navy percussion revolver, serial number 29687, manufactured at Newark, New Jersey, during the Series III production period of approximately 1861-1864. Chambered in .36 caliber, it combines a desirable 6 1/2" octagonal barrel with the characteristic five shot cylinder, substantial surviving cylinder scene, mostly matching numbered components, and a well worn period leather flap holster. Manhattan's Navy revolvers strongly followed the general form of Colt's Model 1851 Navy while incorporating several distinctive features of their own, making them an especially interesting American Civil War era revolver.

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.

The Manhattan Fire Arms Manufacturing Company emerged during the 1850s as one of several American firms seeking a place in the rapidly expanding revolver market. Manhattan's .36 caliber Navy revolver was clearly influenced by the tremendously successful Colt Model 1851 Navy, but the company incorporated enough of its own features and patent work to establish a distinct product line. Most notably, the Manhattan Navy used a five shot cylinder rather than Colt's six shot arrangement and carried a distinctive roll engraved series of military and naval scenes around the cylinder.

This revolver belongs to the collector designated Series III. Series III Navy revolvers are distinguished by their five shot .36 caliber cylinder, December 27, 1859 patent marking on the cylinder, and single line Newark barrel address. Published specialist research places this series at approximately serial numbers 14,500 through 45,200, with production running from about September 1861 through April 1864. Approximately 30,000 Series III revolvers were produced during this period.

Serial number:

29687

is present on the barrel assembly, frame, trigger guard, cylinder arbor, and bottom of the grip frame. The rear of the cylinder carries the shortened number:

9687

corresponding to the main serial. The barrel wedge is an unnumbered replacement. Based upon the numbered components inspected, we would therefore describe this revolver as a mostly matching example.

The top of the barrel retains the correct Series III one line Newark address:

MANHATTAN FIRE ARMS CO. NEWARK N.J.

This Newark address is one of the principal identifying features separating the Series III from the preceding New York marked Series II. Specialist research notes that the change reflected Manhattan's transition to its New Jersey corporate identity during this period.

The five shot cylinder is particularly attractive because a substantial amount of the original roll engraved scene remains visible. Manhattan's .36 caliber cylinders were decorated with five separate oval military and naval scenes, one corresponding broadly to each chamber. These included naval scenes with ships and boats, infantry and pistol combat, a wounded soldier firing at cavalry, men firing from a boat, and a cavalry charge against infantry. On many surviving revolvers these scenes are worn almost completely away, so the amount of visible detail remaining here is a significant collector feature.

At the rear of the cylinder the patent marking remains clearly visible:

PATENTED DEC.27.1859

The December 27, 1859 patent marking became standard on Manhattan's Series II and Series III .36 caliber revolvers and is correct for this example.

The revolver retains its desirable 6 1/2" barrel, one of the standard lengths offered on the Series III Navy. The 6 1/2" configuration gives the pistol the long, balanced profile most closely associated with full size Navy pattern percussion revolvers of the Civil War era.

The metalwork has developed a very attractive light gray and mottled patina from age, handling, and repeated cleaning. Small amounts of original blue remain in protected areas, while the more exposed surfaces have faded toward gray with scattered old peppering. We do not see major active rust, serious pitting, or destructive corrosion. The general appearance is that of a revolver that saw genuine use but was repeatedly cleaned and maintained over its long working life.

The brass trigger guard and grip frame retain only traces of their original silver colored plating, with most of the finish worn away to expose the underlying brass. This type of finish loss is very commonly encountered on well used Manhattan revolvers and fits the overall service worn appearance of this example.

The one piece walnut grip remains in very good condition and has developed a rich aged color. A substantial portion of the original glossy varnished finish remains, particularly away from the high contact areas. There are normal dents, scratches, and handling marks, but the grip remains solid and highly presentable.

Mechanically, the revolver operates very well during careful manual inspection. The cylinder indexes correctly, lockup is strong, and the hammer releases with a crisp dry fire. We did not encounter the inconsistent indexing or timing issues sometimes found on heavily used percussion revolvers. The barrel wedge can be removed normally for disassembly, cleaning, and lubrication. When assembled, there is a small amount of movement between the barrel assembly and frame from wear.

The bore is in very good condition, retaining a mostly bright interior with crisp lands and grooves. There is some evidence of old oxidation and powder fouling that has since been cleaned, but the rifling remains notably strong and the bore is considerably better than is often encountered on service used percussion revolvers of this period.

The percussion nipples remain present and appear to be in good serviceable visual condition. As with all antique percussion components, their presence and condition are noted only for completeness and should not be interpreted as an indication that the revolver is safe to load or fire.

Included with the revolver is an associated period leather flap holster that fits the pistol well. The exterior retains remnants of its original heavy black finish, which has extensively cracked, checked, and flaked through age. The original rear belt loop tore away at some point, leaving its copper rivets in place, and replacement belt slots were subsequently cut directly through the back of the holster. The front retains its iron flap stud with a well developed aged patina.

The side seam stitching deteriorated substantially over time and was later partially repaired. Despite these condition issues, the holster remains mostly intact and presents extremely well with the revolver. Without documentary provenance tying the two together from the period of use, we regard it as an associated period holster rather than claim it was originally issued or carried with this specific handgun.

With its 6 1/2" barrel, mostly matching serial number 29687, correct Series III Newark address, unusually well preserved five panel cylinder scene, surviving 1859 patent marking, strong mechanical condition, very good bore, attractive walnut grip, and genuine period leather holster, this is an especially appealing Civil War era Manhattan Navy revolver. It would make an excellent addition to a collection of Civil War handguns, Colt pattern revolvers, New Jersey manufactured firearms, Manhattan Fire Arms products, or American percussion sidearms.

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: 1863
Maker: Manhattan Fire Arms Co.
Model: Navy Percussion Revolver
Serial No.: 29687
Caliber: .36cal
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 6 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 11 5/8 inches
Action: Single Action
Feed System: 5 Shot Revolver
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

History of Manhattan Firearms:

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”.

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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 all US States and most nations around the world.

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Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.