{"product_id":"original-u-s-civil-war-manhattan-firearms-series-iii-navy-percussion-revolver-in-as-found-condition-serial-19816","title":"Original U.S. Civil War Manhattan Firearms Series III Navy Percussion Revolver in \"As Found\" Condition - Serial 19816","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. Over the years, IMA has purchased many collections and groups of antique guns, in which case we need to take all of them, as we did in Nepal. While these collections were generally full of guns that relatively good condition, they also had some that were less complete and unfortunately would take more restoration time than we were able to give them. We kept them in storage, possibly for future products, but have now decided to offer these \"As Found\" antique firearms to our customers as restoration projects. These are all original and as we received them, except for cleaning the dirt and grime off the exterior.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease note that these are still real antique guns, and are being sold in \"As is\" condition at a significant discount from what they would sell at if we were to fully restore them. We will do our best to photograph and describe them and know that our customers will know exactly what they are getting. If they arrive and you find that they are not to your liking, they can be returned, however please be aware that there will most likely be restocking fees assessed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a very nice Civil War percussion revolver in \"As Found\" condition, made by the MANHATTAN FIREARMS COMPANY of NEWARK, N.J.. The company was originally founded in 1856, mainly to make Colt-style revolvers once their patent ran out in 1857. This revolver looks just like a Colt Navy but it has a five shot cylinder, instead of the Colt's six.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example features the standard 6 1\/2\" barrel and mostly matching serial number \u003cstrong\u003e19816\u003c\/strong\u003e, which is found on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, and the bottom of the grip. We did not pull the broken cylinder wedge, so we are not able to see the numbers on the cylinder, arbor pin, and wedge, but we assume that they are original. The revolver has traces of the original cylinder engraving present, which consists of five different scenes, one for each chamber.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom internet research, we know that the Series III revolvers have serial numbers from around 14,500 to 45,200, and were manufactured from September 1861 to April 1864. This makes this a definitely Civil War produced gun, probably made in early 1862. Production slowed after the war, as the other firearms manufacturers no longer had military contracts, and focused more on the civilian market. As the Manhattan Fire Arms Co mainly made weapons for the civilian market, this drastically increased competition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTop of the barrel still has a clear Series III single line manufacturer engraving, indicating the move to Newark:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMANHATTAN FIRE ARMS CO. NEWARK N.J.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition Notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e- Overall condition shows age and oxidation on the metalwork, with some areas showing peppering and removed past pitting.\u003cbr\u003e- bore still shows strong rifling, with some past oxidation and fouling present.\u003cbr\u003e- action currently is very finicky, often having trouble cycling, and will not hold at full cock at all.\u003cbr\u003e- Revolver looks to be bent slightly, possibly at the axis pin or due to wear from use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall a very nice \"As Found\" example of a civil war percussion revolver, which definitely looks to have seen long service during the war. This could definitely turn into a great restoration project! Please make sure to look at all the pictures before purchasing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: c. early 1862\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: .36cal\u003cbr\u003eAmmunition Type: Cap and Ball\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 6 1\/2 inches\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 12 inches\u003cbr\u003eAction: Single Action\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: 5 Shot Revolver\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistory of Manhattan Firearms:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eManufacturing 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter the Civil War, Manhattan production primarily consisted of a copy of the Smith \u0026amp; 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eManhattan Firearms also manufactured guns under the trade names “Hero”, “London Pistol Company”, and “American Standard Tool”.\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":40628176191557,"sku":"ON12557","price":995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ON12557__01.jpg?v=1693423463","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-civil-war-manhattan-firearms-series-iii-navy-percussion-revolver-in-as-found-condition-serial-19816","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}