Sold for $1,920

Sold prices are inclusive of Buyer’s Premium

Lot Description

Cased Plant .30 Cup Primed Front Loading Pocket Revolver with Accessories

.30 Cup Fire. 3.5" ribbed octagonal barrel. SN: 4536. Blued finish, silver plated brass frame, color casehardened hammer, varnished smooth walnut grips. Single action spur trigger solid frame metallic cartridge revolver with smooth round five-chambered rear loading cylinder. The one-line barrel marking reads MERWIN & BRAY. FIRE-ARMS. CO. N.Y. with the cylinder marked in a single line: PATENTED JULY 12, 1859 JULY 21, 1863. Matching serial numbers throughout, with 4536 found on the butt, on the rear face of the cylinder, on the bottom of the barrel under the arbor pin, on the upper face of the arbor pin and stamped inside both grip panels.

These revolvers were produced by Plant Manufacturing Company based upon patents secured by W.C. Ellis and J.H. White in an attempt to circumvent the Rollin White patent that was controlled by Smith & Wesson on the bored-through cylinder concept. Rather than loading the ammunition from the rear of the cylinder as with a Smith & Wesson revolver, the Plant revolver used special "cup primed" ammunition that was loaded from the front face of the cylinder then extracted using an ejector rod on the right rear of the frame allowing the cartridge to be pushed back out of the front of the cylinder chamber. The guns were initially sold and distributed through Merwin & Bray of New York, and later by Eagle Arms Co. About 20,000 of the pocket revolvers were produced, along with about 8,000 larger .42 caliber "Army" revolvers. Eventually production was ended due to legal action by Smith & Wesson.

This revolver is accompanied by an original period compartmentalized mahogany casing with a soft wood bottom, faded burgundy lining, and pillow. The casing includes a partially complete empty box of .30 cup primed cartridges (that contains only one fired casing) a blued steel cleaning rod, a turnscrew and a key for the case lock.

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

Condition Report

Very good. Bore is good with moderate oxidation and some pitting, scattered areas of brightness and strong rifling. The barrel retains minute traces of blue in the protected areas and on the right upper flat with otherwise lightly oxidized brownish-gray patina. The frame contains much of the silver plating, which has deeply tarnished to a nearly black color, and with the exposed brass showing a rich ocher patina. The markings remain clear and legible, although the cylinder markings are a little softer. There are also some scattered light impact marks on the cylinder. The revolver remains mechanically functional. The grips retain much of their varnish with moderate flaking, wear and loss, and the wood showing scattered bumps, dings and mars. The case is about very good with scattered wear, scuffs and mars on the exterior and moderate wear on the interior. Much of the lining has faded to a a dull orange toned tan from the original burgundy, with the original color obvious if the cartridge box is removed. The cardboard cartridge box is in fair to good condition with moderate wear and the loss of the front lip of the lid. The label is still quite nice, but the box shows wear and is somewhat weak with worn and damaged edges and seams. The two tools are good to very good and the key operates the lock correctly.

The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Hindman staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.

The absence of a posted condition report on the Hindman website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Hindman.

Please email armsarmor@hindmanauctions.com for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.