c1861 MASS. ARMS ADAMS PATENT Pocket Revolver .31 Percussion RARE 1 of 4,300 Manufactured, 3 ¼”

Product Description

c1861 MASS. ARMS ADAMS PATENT Pocket Revolver .31 Percussion RARE

1 of 4,300 Manufactured, 3 ¼”

Here we present an antique Massachusetts Arms Co. Adams Patent Pocket Double Action Percussion Revolver, manufactured circa 1857-61. In 1857 Massachusetts Arms entered into an agreement to provide 500 of the “belt” sized (.36 caliber), Beaumont-Adams Patent revolvers to the U.S. Ordnance Department. At the same time, Massachusetts Arms developed and produced a scaled down, .31 caliber “pocket” variant of the belt revolver. This revolver was marketed to the civilian market, as a more robust and safer alternative to the Colt Model 1849 “Pocket” revolver. The Adams patent guns were easier to get into action quickly due to their self-cocking, double action lockwork, and also offered a frame mounted sliding safety on the right side of the revolver. Both of these features made the Mass Arms revolver more suited to carry in a trouser or coat pocket. Much like the larger belt revolver, the pocket revolver was a 5 shot percussion pistol with the traditional hump-backed Adams style checkered walnut grip.

According to American Percussion Revolvers by Sellers and Smith, around 200 Adams revolvers were manufactured with 4 1/4 inch barrels, roughly equally divided between octagon and round barrels during mid-production of this model. Thus, of an estimated 4,500 Adams Patent Pocket Revolvers manufactured by the Mass. Arms Co. between 1857 and 1861, this is one of approximately 4300 reportedly made in the 3-1/4” configuration. In 1861, Mass. Arms abandoned revolver production to concentrate on producing carbines for the U.S. Ordnance Department. Other than the scarce barrel configuration, it has the standard markings and features.

The overall condition is very good. Original blue finish and patina. The action is strong, though the cylinder indexing is intermittent. The bore is in good condition, patinated but with some reflectivity and good, strong rifling. The grips are solid and nicely checkered. Numbers match. A nice example of a rare American produced Adams Patent revolver!

Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.

Barrel is 3-1/4 inches.

Caliber: .31 Percussion

Overall condition as seen in photos.

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$2400
#233994