{"product_id":"original-u-s-civil-war-moore-1860-patent-32rf-belt-revolver-with-6-barrel-serial-no-4273-as-used-by-cole-younger-during-northfield-bank-robbery","title":"Original U.S. Civil War Era Moore 1860 Patent .32 Rimfire Belt Revolver with 6\" Barrel, Serial No. 4273","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is an original U.S. Civil War era Moore Patent .32 rimfire single action belt revolver with a 6\" barrel, seven shot swing out cylinder, engraved gunmetal frame, and serial number \u003cstrong\u003e4273\u003c\/strong\u003e. Manufactured by Moore’s Patent Fire Arms Company under Daniel Moore’s 1860 patent, it represents an important early development in metallic cartridge revolver design and remains in very good overall condition with much of its original finish still visible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDaniel Moore patented this revolver system in 1860, and the resulting design used a seven shot cylinder that swung outward to the right for loading and unloading. Moore’s Patent Fire Arms Company produced these .32 rimfire revolvers during the early Civil War period before patent litigation surrounding the Rollin White bored through cylinder patent altered later production.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe top of the barrel is clearly marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eD. MOORE. PATENT. SEPT. 18. 1860\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cylinder on many examples was additionally marked with patent information, but no legible trace of such a marking is currently visible on this revolver. It may have been omitted or simply worn away through use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bottom of the barrel near the hinge is serial numbered:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e4273\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rear of the barrel and rear of the cylinder are both marked with assembly number:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eT 27\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe revolver shows light to moderate service wear and still retains a notable amount of its original finish on the barrel and cylinder, now aged to an attractive plum toned patina. The engraved gunmetal frame, grip frame, and trigger guard display foliate decoration. The revolver was originally nickel plated, with approximately 50% of that finish remaining. Areas where the plating has worn away show a lightly oxidized aged patina to the underlying alloy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe walnut grip remains in very good overall condition with attractive color and honest handling wear. There is, however, a substantial missing section on the right side approximately 3\/4\" from the frame.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe single action mechanism cycles, but the cylinder stop does not engage correctly on most rotations. As a result, the cylinder frequently overshoots and must be turned back manually until it locks into position. This mechanical condition is fully disclosed and describes present operation only.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bore is in very good condition with clear lands and grooves and a mostly bright appearance. Evidence of past fouling and oxidation is visible, though much of this appears to have been cleaned away.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe spring loaded ejector rod remains present beneath the barrel and stores correctly. It can be removed by drawing it rearward and pivoting it outward. The cylinder swings open to the right when the latch on the right side of the frame is depressed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA spacer has been installed at the barrel and frame joint, indicating that the revolver was serviced at some point in the past to compensate for wear in this area.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMoore revolvers of this type saw use during and after the Civil War period and were valued for their compact metallic cartridge design. One historically documented example was owned by Cole Younger of the James-Younger Gang. That revolver was a different gun, reportedly a 5\" barrel example with serial number 880, and should not be confused with this revolver, serial number 4273. There is no supplied provenance connecting this individual firearm to Cole Younger or the Northfield bank robbery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its 6\" barrel, seven shot swing out cylinder, original Moore patent marking, matching T 27 assembly numbers on the barrel and cylinder, foliate engraved frame, and serial number 4273, this is a strong example of an early Civil War era metallic cartridge revolver. The missing section of the right grip, approximately 50% remaining nickel finish, cylinder stop malfunction, past cleaning, and serviced barrel\/frame joint are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in a Civil War revolver, Moore Patent, early metallic cartridge, or 19th century American firearms collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYears of Manufacture: 1861-3 \u003cbr\u003eMaker: Moore's Pat. F.A. Co.\u003cbr\u003eModel: \"Belt\" Revolver\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: .32cal\u003cbr\u003eAmmunition Type: Rimfire Cartridge\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBarrel Length: 6 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 10 3\/4 inches\u003cbr\u003eAction: Single Action \u003cbr\u003eFeed System: 7 Shot Revolver\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFederal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMore on the Moore \"Belt\" Revolver\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe .32 rimfire \"Belt\" Model Revolver was produced by Daniel Moore was the first gun to feature a \"Swing-out\" cylinder, which Moore had patented in 1860. Born in 1813, Moore had started a firearms business in Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1851, mainly making powder flasks and cartridges for the new revolver designs. However he also began working on improvements to existing designs, and after receiving his 1860 Patent, he incorporated Moore’s Patent Fire Arms Company.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first revolver model this company produced was this brass-framed single action .32cal rimfire \"Belt\" revolver, featuring a 7 round cylinder that swung out to the right for loading. It was only manufactured 1861-1863 during which time the firm was sued by Smith \u0026amp; Wesson for infringing on the Rollin White patent for a bored through cylinder, which they had licensed. Later produced revolvers were marked by Smith \u0026amp; Wesson and bore Rollin White patent dates, and after 1863 Moore stopped production, instead focusing on \"Teat Fire\" cartridges, which did not infringe on the patent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOf note is that these revolvers, while only made for a short period, were very highly regarded as reliable and solidly built. They were somewhat sought after and saw use well into the later 19th Century. Cole Younger, a member of the infamous James–Younger Gang of outlaws, owned one with a 5 inch barrel, which was serial number 880. The gang eventually split up after the failed Bank Robbery in Northfield Minnesota, during which Cole was said to have had this revolver with him. After fleeing the scene, the Cole Brothers were hunted down by a posse and captured. At the trial, the three brothers pled guilty to avoid being hanged, and were sentenced to life in prison.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCole's brother Bob died in prison, but in 1901 Cole and his brother Jim were paroled from prison. Jim would take his own life the next year, but Cole lived until 1916, passing at the age of 72. He lectured and toured the south with Frank James in a wild west show, The Cole Younger and Frank James Wild West Company, in 1903, and also wrote his memoirs, portraying himself as more of a Confederate Avenger than an Outlaw. This also gave him ample time to identify and sell many items of interest.\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":45854711316549,"sku":"ONJR26APNS080","price":1495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/4CC2942E-62AF-4E5B-AE6F-96A0EA48ABA1.jpg?v=1790417449","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-civil-war-moore-1860-patent-32rf-belt-revolver-with-6-barrel-serial-no-4273-as-used-by-cole-younger-during-northfield-bank-robbery","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}