Mass Arms Maynard Primed Manually Rotated Belt Revolver

American Civil War

.31 caliber. 6" barrel length. SN: 726. Blued and color casehardened finish, silver plated brass triggerguard, smooth one-piece walnut grip. Manually indexed and rotated Maynard tape primed tip up percussion revolver with un-fluted six chambered cylinder, notch rear sight and German silver blade front sight. Primer magazine door engraved with an escutcheon and the words MAYNARD'S PATENT/SEP. 22, 1845 surrounding an {American Eagle}. Topstrap stamped MASS. ARMS CO./CHICOPEE FALLS in two lines. Cylinder acid etched with floral motifs, lock, hammer and reverse frame engraved with simple, flowing foliate scrolls. These guns were produced in relatively small quantities between 1851 and 1857 with an estimated production of about 1,000. The manually rotated cylinder design was intended to circumvent Colt's 1836 patent which covered the rotation and indexing of a revolver cylinder with the cocking action of the hammer. The addition of the automatic priming system was an attempt to make a gun that was not as sophisticated or conventional as the Colt have some additional market appeal. In 1857 the abolitionist John Brown purchased 200 of these guns for his planned uprising, resulting in collectors referring to this revolver as the John Brown Model. A scarce revolver from the pre-Civil War period. {ANTIQUE}

From the Lifetime Collection of Robert G. Paulsen

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

Good. Bore good, moderately oxidized with pitting and good rifling. Metal lightly cleaned with a dull pewter patina, showing freckled and splotchy surface oxidation and discoloration. Markings and engraving remain clear and crisp. Mechanically functional action, including the primer feed system. Grip with some added finish, moderate wear and scattered bumps, dings and mars.

The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Freeman's staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.

The absence of a posted condition report on the Freeman's website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's.

Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

Mr. Tim Carey

Associate Vice President, Head of Department, Arms, Armor and Militaria

[email protected]513.666.4984

Mr. Carey joined Cowan’s, a Freeman's company, in 2021 and is a 40-year veteran of the sporting arms and outdoor recreation industry. Carey joined Cowan’s from Griffin & Howe at Hudson Farms in Andover, N.J., where he was responsible for the acquisition, appraisal, and consignment of top-tier firearms consignments from important makers such as James Purdey & Sons of London, Beretta, Caesar Guerini, B. Rizzini, Bertuzzi, Renato Telo, and Anderson Wheeler.

Mr. Tim Prince

Senior Consulting Specialist, Arms, Armor & Militaria

[email protected]312 280 1212

Tim Prince has more than 30-years of experience in the field of antique and collectible arms and is a nationally recognized expert in the area of Civil War small arms. A long-time researcher and author, Tim has been a contributing author to two major books about Civil War firearms, including The English Connection: Arms, Material and Support Furnished to the Confederate States of America by Great Britain (2014) and Confederate Shotguns and Southern Agent Marked Shotguns (2017). He was also a major contributor to the recently updated Blue Book of Antique American Firearms & Values – 2nd Edition (2019) as well as the 2010 updates to the Civil War Collector's Price Guide - 12th edition. Over the last decade Tim has authored more than 50 articles on 19th century collectible and military arms, which have been published in such varied publications as Civil War News, North-South Trader, and Military Antique Collector. Since 2016 has appeared as a featured appraiser in the field of Arms & Militaria on the popular PBS television series Antiques Roadshow. He is a member of the American Society of Arms Collectors and currently serves on the board of directors of that organization. He is also a member of and formerly served on the board of directors of the Society of American Bayonet Collectors. Tim is a life member of the Ohio Valley Military Society, the Tennessee Military Collectors Association, the Alabama Military Collectors Association, is a member of the Company of Military Historians and is a member of numerous other colleting groups and societies. He is the owner of College Hill Arsenal, a web based antique and collectible arms retail web site, specializing in the American Civil War and related military items. Tim has engaged in the business of buying, selling, researching, and appraising antique and collectible arms and associated military items for some three decades. Since 2016 he has also served as a senior Consulting Specialist in the field of Arms, Armor & Militaria for Cowan’s Auctions, a Freeman's Company.

Arms, Armor and Militaria

Mass Arms Maynard Primed Manually Rotated Belt Revolver

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