3161 DOCUMENTED HISTORIC MOORE'S PATENT FIREARMS CO

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This item SOLD at 2023 Nov 05 @ 13:27UTC-4 : AST/EDT
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 3,500.00 USD
Estimated at 7,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
FRONT LOADING REVOLVER AND NO. 1 DERRINGER. GUN 1) FRONT LOADING REVOLVER. Cal. 32 Teat-fire. S# 16178. Bbl. 3 1/4". A total of about 30,000 of these pistols were manufactured from 1864-1870. This pistol has a round barrel w/ semi-circular German silver front sight. Right side of lug has a hooked extractor. Six shot round cyl. Silver finished brass frame w/ generous coverage of well executed, attractive hand engraving. There is also engraving on the front of the frame and at the base of the barrel. 2-piece bird's head wooden grips. Backstrap is inscribed "A. J. Bisel U.S.N.". Amos Bisel was initially in the Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry before transferring to the United States Marine Corps. He served on the Ironclad, the USS Benton beginning w/ their service on the Mississippi in early 1862 for the duration of the war. The revolver is housed in a wooden case measuring 8 1/2" x 4 1/2" x 2" w/ burgundy velour fitted interior. An interior 50-hole cartridge block contains 5 original teat-fire cartridges for the revolver. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: a large folder containing photographs of Bisel & the USS Benton. Many pages of the history of the USS Benton are included. Also included is historical information about Mr. Bisel & copies of his letters from home describing the USS Benton's actions. CONDITION: bbl. & cyl. have faded to brown showing small dings & a few scattered spots of oxidation. Brass frame retains areas of original silver finish on the sides & protected areas. Grips have a worn finish attesting to the pistol's years of service. Action functions well. Good but dirty bore. Case shows light wear & handling marks w/ tight drying cracks in the lid. Cartridges have light oxidation to the lead. (01-24143/DS/BF). 2) NO. 1 DERRINGER. Cal. 41 RF. S# 1361. Bbl. 2 1/2". Approximately 6,000 of these classic derringers were manufactured by Moore & National brands between 1860-1870. This visually attractive example has an elliptical shaped, silvered barrel that is nearly completely covered with fine engraving. The engraving is a very scarce variation w/ large arrows engraved on each side of the bbl. Top flat is marked "MOORES PAT. F. A. CO. BROOKLYN N.Y.". Bottom of bbl. is marked "PAT. FEB. 2, 1863". This pistol has a 1-piece frame & grip w/ spur trigger & center mounted hammer. The entire frame originally had vivid gold plating and broad scroll decorative engraving. The top left of the frame is engraved in a ribbon "ROBT. L. MAY, U.S.N." above a shield depicting a monitor sailing past what appears to be Fort Sumter flying a flag. Robert L. May graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1849. He initially served on the Steam Frigate Susquehanna in the East India Squadron. He served on numerous ships before being assigned to the USS Benton. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: large folder of printed & copied information pertaining to Lieutenant Robert L. May and the USS Benton, its crew & also many pages of documents regarding financial matters of the ship & crew. CONDITION: bbl. retains 50% of the original silver finish w/ some areas showing tarnish. The gilded brass frame has traces of gold plating remaining in the protected areas. The balance has acquired a pleasing mustard patina showing a few dings & expected handling marks. Good but dirty bore. (01-24144/DS/BF). BOTH ANTIQUES. $7,000-10,000.