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Scarce Historical Cased Identified Plant's Mfg. Co., Front Loading Army Revolver

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:2,500.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 7,000.00 USD
Scarce Historical Cased Identified Plant's Mfg. Co.,  Front Loading Army Revolver
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Scarce Historical Cased Identified Plant's Mfg. Co., Front Loading Army Revolver

Single action spur trigger revolver manufactured by Plant's Manufacturing Company, New Haven, Connecticut c. 1865. The revolver has a blue ribbed octagon barrel, blue six shot cylinder, and silver plated brass frame. The hammer and spur trigger are color casehardened. The two-piece flat bottom rosewood grips have a piano finish. This Third Model revolver has a square front frame with sight groove in the top strap and distinctive ejector housing on the right side with round knob ejector. The front loading cylinder has a flat face. The top of the barrel rib is roll-stamped "MERWIN & BRAY NEW-YORK". "PATENTED, JULY 12, 1859 & JULY 21, 1863" is roll-stamped across the cylinder. The serial number "4512" is stamped on the butt. The Plant's Manufacturing Co., made approximately 7,300 Third Model Front Loading Army Revolvers in the mid-1860s. The revolver is complete with a mahogany partition case with five compartments lined with navy blue velvet. The case contains a small brass compass and a key. "Steam Yacht/HALCYON/-of-/New. York." is boldly painted on the case lid in gold letters. A copy of a July 2, 1902 NEW YORK TIMES article states that the Halcyon was a 125-foot steam yacht that was launched in 1875 that was owned by New York City banker Frederick F. Ames. The article details how the Halcyon foundered after breaking a propeller shaft in Long Island Sound on July 1, 1902. The painted case mahogany indicates that the Plant's revolver was part of the Halcyon's ships store sometime before her loss in 1902.

Manufucture: Plant?s Manufacturing Co
Model: Third
BBL: 6 inch octagon
Stock:
Guage: 42 cup-primed
Finish: blue/silver
Grips: rosewood
Serial Number: 4512

Near excellent. The barrel has 70% of the original blue with finish loss on either side of the rib. The cylinder has some age spotting but retains 90% of the blue finish. The silver plating on the frame is tarnished but nearly 98% remains. The hammer and spur trigger retain most of the muted case colors. The rosewood grips are excellent and have 95% or more of the original piano finish. The action is tight and functions perfectly. The case is very good with excellent markings on the lid. The velvet lining is bright with minor compression wear from contact with the revolver cylinder and grip. One partition panel is a replacement. This is a colorful one-of-kind revolver.