Description

This is an extremely rare & important handgun. It is important because of its unusual & short-lived experimental ignition system which incorporated the Maynard Tape Primer which was cutting edge technology for its time. It is rare because only around 1,000 only were made between 1851-1857 earning it a unique place in firearm & US history. At least 200 of these pistols were known to have been shipped to the abolitionist John Brown in Kansas in 1857, some of which were then known to have used in the failed 1859 raid on the US arsenal at Harpers Ferry in Virginia which was a precursor to the American Civil War. Could this be one of these which was captured & then saw service with the Confederates in the US Civil War?

The Massachusetts Arms Co. was an early Colt competitor formed in 1849 by a group which included famous names in the gun business: Horace Smith, Daniel Wesson, Joshua Stephens & J. T. Ames which was later incorporated in March of 1850. The company was successfully sued by Samuel Colt for patent infringement in 1851 for their use of the star mechanism for rotating the cylinders on cocking which was patented by Colt. As a result of the lawsuit, the Massachusetts Arms Co. redesigned their handguns with a hand-revolved cylinder & utilised the Maynard tape primer (legally & under patent).

This tape system was a unique development in firearms & was the invention of Edward Maynard who achieved his Patent in September of 1845. Instead of individual percussion caps on each cylinder, it depended upon a continuous roll of primer caps on paper (not unlike a roll of child’s paper caps), which were advanced by a steel ‘finger’ inside the side plate on cocking which positioned the cap atop a single nipple where the hammer’s strike would ignite the fulminate & the charge in the chamber of the cylinder to fire the gun.

The grips are walnut. Originally finished blue, vestiges of bluing survive nicely on only the cylinder & barrel latch (see photos) & there is a nice even patina over the rest of the gun. The brass is visible on the back strap where the original finish has worn through in places. Cylinder, frame & cover plate are engraved with floral motifs.

This revolver is .31 calibre & has the desirable six-inch round barrel with a pinch-back brass front sight blade & the top strap has a fixed rear sight. The six-shot, manually revolved cylinder is decorated with acid etched floral & military designs which are clearly visible. The Maynard tape primer magazine is located on the right side of the frame as can be seen in the photos. The frame, top strap, hammer & side plate are colour casehardened. The two-piece walnut grips still have a high polish varnish finish. The top strap is roll-stamped: “MASS. ARMS CO./CHICOPEE FALLS” in two lines. The tape primer door is roll-stamped with a Springfield Armory style Eagle & Shield motif with “MAYNARD’S PATENT” stamped in an arch above the eagle & “SEP. 22. 1845” below it.

The serial number, (202) is stamped on the front face of the frame & the assembly number, (159) is stamped on the inside face of the tape recess on the side behind the cylinder (see photos). This revolver is only 2 digits off of another which was sold at auction by Rock Island Auction in the US on 5 December 2015 for USD$9,400. Although that revolver is clearly in better condition than this, it can be used as a guide. You can view this gun by copying & pasting the link below onto your browser:

https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/66/1153/massachusetts-arms-co-percussion-revolver-31-percussion

If you are a serious collector of rare pre-1900 firearms this is your unique opportunity to own a piece of US & firearm history which rarely comes available in Australia, especially in this condition. Do your own research & you will see this may be a one off opportunity to obtain one of these in this excellent original condition. For more information, check out the link below of ‘Gun Jesus’ from Forgotten Weapons:

Overall this is in excellent condition as can be seen in the photos with no pitting, or nastiness from black powder use so please view all of the photos carefully & ask for more as we have taken plenty.

These form the main description & override all others.

Sold on consignment on behalf of a collector.