3152

CASED MASS ARMS CO. EARLIEST TYPE MAYNARD PRIMED

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:2,250.00 USD Estimated At:4,500.00 - 6,500.00 USD
CASED MASS ARMS CO. EARLIEST TYPE MAYNARD PRIMED
PERCUSSION POCKET REVOLVER IN SUPERB ORIGINAL CONDITION. Cal. 28. S# 190. It is estimated that fewer than 900 of these interesting early revolvers were produced. This example is of the first style with manually rotated cylinder. It has 2 1/2" blued octagon rifled barrel which is unmarked. Barrel unlatches from central spindle, it then hinges upward allowing 6 shot cylinder to be removed for loading. Top of barrel shank is marked "MASS ARMS CO" "CHICOPEE FALLS". Blued action with centrally hung case hardened hammer has Maynard tape priming system under sideplate on right side. Sideplate is marked "MAYNARD'S PATENT" "SEP. 22 1845". Large open scroll engraving is also on sideplate which matches the left side of action. Cylinder is etched with decorations of cannons, flags and floral scroll designs. In this early model, cylinder is unlatched by button at top of trigger guard bow and cylinder is rotated manually for the next shot. S# 190 is stamped on right side front grip strap under white bone grips that are inscribed in ink with matching numbers. S# also appears on right side of action under sideplate which is also correctly numbered. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: revolver is housed in its original walnut case with key lock which is lined in red velvet. Case contains a superb condition Mass Arms Co. copper bodied powder flask embossed with scrolls, flags and a mans arm firing a pistol. There is also a brass and tin container holding Maynard tape primers with Maynard and Mass Arms info on cover. Also included are two cavity brass bullet mould, brass loading rod and a spare cylinder. CONDTION: exceptionally fine. Pistol retaining nearly all original factory finishes with bright blue on barrel having one or two minor marks. Case hardening of barrel shank and hammer are excellent. Frame shows considerable flaking to around 40% blue. Trigger guard retains most of its silver plate. Cylinder retains nearly all of its bright blue. There are a number of scratches and marks on spindle from uneducated attempts to remove cylinder. Grips are excellent with slight shrinkage cracks at bottom. Bore is bright and shiny. There is some cleaned rusting evident on recoil shield. Mechanically good, tape priming system is working. Exterior of case retains most of its original varnish. Interior cloth is considerably faded and has compressions and marks. Accessories are exceptionally fine with brass remaining bright and shiny. (01-21940/MGM). ANTIQUE. $4,500-6,500.