A Fine Rare Cased First Model Tranter Percussion Revolver. 10 ¾” overall, 5” octagonal sighted 80 bore barrel with engraving at muzzle & breech. Engraved ‘W Powell & Son ‘. Blued steel border engraved solid frame engraved to one side ‘Adams Patent No 20621Y' with spring to retain/release cylinder pin, the other side with first pattern rammer stamped 'W Tranters 80 Patent', Y shaped safety spring, 5 shot cylinder with roped band & London proof marks, blued trigger guard with polished spurred triggers stamped 'W Tranters No 1138 Patent'. Finely chequered walnut grips, engraved butt cap. Contained in its original mahogany ‘grip down’ green baize lined mahogany case with original accessories including Tranter’s ‘Lubricating Composition’ and a Starkey cap tin, Tranter 80 bore for two bullets mould, turn screw, nipple key, oil bottle, loading rod, spare nipples ebony box & Dixon bag shaped flask, with later William Powell & Son label.
Circa 1862
A rare early pistol in near mint condition with nearly all original finish, accessories all good. Lid missing from corner bullet compartment, First Model pistols did not have bullet tins.
See ‘The Firearms of William Tranter’ by Ron Stewart page 216 for similar case layouts.
William Tranter traded from 13 St. Mary's Row Birmingham from 1849 to 1875, and between 1853 and 1865 was granted six British patents relating to revolvers & their accessories. He was licensed by Deane, Adams & Deane to make complete Adams' self-cocking revolvers & to use their patented frame for his own revolvers.