This is a very rare American pistol. SN 17. Marked on loading lever, and on the left side of the frame under the grip. Cal. 36. Blue finish with 4-1/4" octagonal bbl, dovetail front sight, 5-shot unfluted cylinder and 2-pc flared butt walnut grips with German silver diamond shaped escutcheons. Frame is flat sided with grooved top strap for rear sight and has an attached trigger guard. Frame, back strap & butt strap are very nicely engraved with about 60% coverage foliate arabesque patterns with punch dot background. Hammer is mounted to right side of frame with center striking extended nose through a notch in rear of frame. Accompanied by a fine mahogany English casing with replaced escutcheon on the top. It appears that the German Silver escutcheon was removed and replaced. It remains a fine old case that has held this gun in it for many years Case is lined in purple velvet, compartmentalized in bottom for an IXL revolver with longer bbl, a beveled edge small powder flask, an unmarked brass 2-cavity bullet & ball mold with steel sprue cutter, a pewter oil bottle, a brass & ebony cleaning rod, a slightly altered L-shaped nipple wrench and a tin of caps with red label & band. Also accompanied by a wood & brass handled screwdriver. The SN was observed on the left toe of grip frame under the grip, on rammer handle, front face of cyl and in pencil inside both grips. According to Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Firearms these revolvers were produced in New York City in about 1857 by an unknown manufacturer in spurless hammer Pocket & Navy Models with various markings. The Navy Models are reported to have had 7" bbls which corresponds with the size of this case. This revolver is altogether unmarked in what may be a previously unknown bbl length. Also this model with the side mounted hammer is reported to have been manufactured in a total of about 50 revolvers, Being a cased & engraved specimen makes this a truly rare specimen, perhaps the only one in existence. CONDITION: Fine, all matching except bbl & cyl pin which do not appear to be numbered. Bbl retains 85-87% glossy orig blue with sharp edge wear and some light thinning. Frame retains traces of blue in sheltered areas being mostly a light gray patina. Cyl retains 80-85% thinning orig blue with sharp nipples and traces of orig blue in chambers. Grips have a crack in left side and show moderate wear and retain about 75-80% orig varnish. Mechanics are fine, strong sharp bore with good shine and scattered pitting. Case has a couple of grain cracks in bottom and a repaired crack at rear edge of top with moderate to heavy nicks, dings & scratches and retains most of its orig varnish. Interior is heavily faded with moderate soil and a couple of loose partitions but is completely intact & serviceable. Accessories show moderate to heavy wear.
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