This is a .36 caliber cap and ball revolver manufactured by the Metropolitan Arms Company of New York City. These revolvers came into prominence when the Colt factory sustained severe fire damage in February of 1864. Between 1864 and 1866 approximately 6, 063 of these .36 caliber Navy revolvers were produced. All of the revolvers produced by the Metropolitan Arms Co. were copies of Colt weapons. This particular weapon is copied from the Colt Model 1851 Navy in .36 caliber. It has a 7 1/2" octagon barrel, with a good bore and rifling. The top barrel flat is stamped METROPOLITAN ARMS Co. NEW-YORK. This is a matching serial number gun, the serial number being 1910. It is stamped on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, backstrap, cylinder and wedge. The loading lever is stamped 10. The metal has an overall eye pleasing steel gray/plum patina. Cylinders with serial number 1800 and up have a rolled scene of the Battle of New Orleans and NEW ORLEANS APRIL, 1862 along the forward edge of the cylinder. The scene is crisp as well as the lettering. The brass trigger guard and backstrap have a beautiful golden patina. The mechanics of this weapon work, with the cylinder indexing when the hammer is pulled back. The one piece walnut grips have a deep brown appearance and retain most of the original finish. While there are no known contracts from the US government, many collectors consider the Metropolitan revolvers Secondary US handguns. This is a fine example of just such a weapon. if you collect revolvers from the Civil War, your collection is not complete without this one!

Item # AA1246

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