ANTIQUE (no PAL) CRISP Manhattan .36 Navy Colt style Cap & Ball Revolver, Series III Civil War Era 1861–1864

Price OBO This is a fully matching Civil War era Manhattan Fire Arms Co. .36 Navy Series III, manufactured in Newark, NJ between September 1861 and April 1864 - one of approximately 30,000 produced in Manhattan's most prolific series. Serial 198XX matches on the butt, frame, trigger guard, barrel, and cylinder. As a pre-1898 antique, this handgun can be owned by anyone 18+ with no PAL or registration. All you need is black powder, percussion caps, and .36 lead balls to put it to work.

Mechanics: Single action, 5-shot. Hammer clicks are crisp through all positions with a strong mainspring. Cylinder indexes reliably with tight, consistent lockup at the firing position. Factory-grade nipples clean and intact.

Visuals: Smoky blue hues appear across an overall clean, unmarred steely surface. The 5" barrel is stamped "MANHATTAN FIRE ARMS Co NEWARK N.J." with the December 27, 1859 patent date rendered in deep, beautiful roll engraving on the cylinder - one of the finest identifying features of this series and exceptionally well preserved here. Hardwood grips strong and rich-grained with scattered honest dings. The butt has been used as a hammer at some point in the field leaving dings that do not obscure serial or threaten structural integrity. Screw heads fair. Bore shows defined rifling with scattered black powder patches consistent with 160 years of age.

Manhattan Fire Arms Co. was founded in 1856 to capitalize on expiring Colt patents, and their Navy revolvers were so well regarded that Colt introduced two competing models in direct response. Series III guns saw widespread private purchase by Union officers and soldiers during the Civil War, and with 198XX sitting mid-series this example would have been on hand right through the war's most pivotal years.

A Civil War collector's piece that still has the mechanics to back it up.

Buy with confidence - I don't like drama so I offer a 3-day non-firing inspection period after delivery for money back guarantee if your item is not as expected.
No PAL, 18+, comes with FRT antique page, ships Canada.
US-stamped Civil War style black leather holster available for $100.
I do not give legal advice, and make no claims about the safety of ANY antique. Know the laws and consult a gunsmith.
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