Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This very U.S. Civil War Massachusetts Arms Co. Pocket Percussion Revolver Serial 253 was featured and test fired on an episode of History Channel's Pawn Stars in 2025. You can watch it on the episode below:
Original Item. Only One Available. Introduced in 1850 by the newly incorporated Massachusetts Arms Company, the .31cal pocket model revolver was one of the first real competitors to Samuel Colt. It featured a cylinder that rotated when the revolver was cocked, as well as cap nipples directly behind the chambers, like most revolvers of the period. As with all pocket designs, they were popular as private purchase secondary weapons for officers.
The original design for these revolvers was covered under patents filed by Wesson and Leavitt, but unfortunately it appears that the "new" Revolver infringed on at least three of Colt's patents. In 1851, Samuel Colt filed and won a historic patent infringement lawsuit against the Massachusetts Arms Company. Daniel Wesson one of the three principals of the company, who then broke away and started Smith & Wesson in 1855.
The end result of this was that the revolver designs of the company had to be completely redesigned to avoid further lawsuits from Colt. The cylinder advance mechanism was completely removed, and replaced by a manual lock on the cylinder, which was rotated by hand. The nipples on the back of the cylinder were removed, replaced with a single nipple on the frame, which attached to a Maynard tape primer system, as used on the Model 1855 Springfield Rifled Musket.
From 1851 - 1860, about 2500 of these tape primer pocket revolvers were produced. They all featured engraved frames and etched cylinders, with a door that rotates around the hammer for refilling the tape primer. The design features a unique way of unhooking the barrel, which then folds upwards to allow the cylinder to be completely removed in order to be reloaded and then reassembled. It was apparently also considered that extra cylinders could be kept, already loaded, allowing a substantial rate of fire for the 1850s, especially with the tape primer system negating the need for fitting caps to the cylinder.
The top of the cylinder is marked with the Mass. Arms Co. address:
MASS. ARMS CO.
CHICOPEE FALLS
The side of the action has a door for the tape primer system, which has further markings related to the Maynard Patent:
MAYNARD'S PATENT
SEPT. 22 1845
Our lovely example has top quality walnut grip plates and has the serial number of 733, which is stamped on the gas shield behind the cylinder. This is also usually stamped on the inside of the grip frame, however the grips are stuck in place from decades of wax and cleaning, so we cannot check. The cylinder axis pin and alignment wedge on the barrel are marked with assembly number 364, and the barrel lock is marked with patent date NOV. 25 1850 on the rear.
The revolver is in fantastic condition, and does not look to have been majorly cleaned or refinished at any time. That means this is ALL ORIGINAL wear, with no signs of being messed with, just how we like to see them! The engraving on both sides of the frame is still crisp, with the original bluing still strong, and the silver plating on the rear grip frame and trigger guard is very well retained, now showing a lovely tarnished patina. The barrel now shows a lovely plum brown patina, and we can see some of the origin case hardening in places as well.
The walnut grips look great, and have a lovely finish, with the expected wear and light denting from use and age. They still have the original factory finish, which looks to be the usual "piano varnish" used at the time, showing just a bit of wear through on the bottom. We've only had one of these previously, and this one is by far the better example, probably the best we've ever seen.
The revolver functions well, as the much simplified action was quite robust. We checked the Maynard primer system, and it is still linked to the lock, though we have no way to test if it is still capable of feeding. The bore is in very good near excellent condition, with a mostly bright finish and crisp lands and grooves. There is just a bit of wear and past oxidation present, making this an exceptional bore for a civil war black powder percussion revolver.
In just wonderful condition this is extremely rare and totally ready to display with pride!
Specifications:
Years of Manufacture: 1851 - 1860
Caliber: .31cal
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball with Tape Primer
Barrel Length: 6 inches
Overall Length: 11 3/4 inches
Action: Manual Hammer & Cylinder Advance
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver
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