A Manhattan Navy Series IV Percussion .36 Calibre Revolver. 12 ½” overall, 6 ½” octagonal barrel with blade foresight, marked with the two line address "Manhattan Fire Arms Co. Newark N.J. Patented March 8 1864" 5 shot engraved cylinder stamped “Patented December 27th 1859” with 10 cylinder stops. Brass backstrap & trigger guard, 2 piece walnut grips numbered on all parts 56180
Circa 1864.
In very good condition with fine cylinder and most original finish.
The Manhattan Firearms Company of Newark, New Jersey, was formed in 1856 by a group of businessmen to take advantage of Colt's revolver patents due to expire in 1857. The founders hired Thomas Bacon to become the Superintendent of Manufacturing. The company first began in Norwich, Connecticut and in 1859 moved to Newark, New Jersey The firm produced very good quality copies of Colt's .31 and .36 caliber revolvers and quickly became a major handgun manufactory. During their 17-year existence the company produced some 175,000 firearms. Manhattan didn't aggressively pursue government contracts choosing to target the civilian market that was being somewhat ignored by the principal gunmakers that were concentrating on securing army contracts. Their Navy pistols were made between 1858 and 1868 totalling about 78,000 guns. It was offered in 5-shot or 6-shot with barrel lengths of 4, 5, or 6-inch lengths. The finish was blued except for frame, trigger, and hammer which were case hardened. The brass grip straps were silver plated and the one piece grips were varnished walnut. These options made the Manhattan appealing to many Union officers.