Make: Manhattan Arms Co.

Model: Series III .36 Caliber “Navy” Revolver

Serial Number: 14640

Year of Manufacture: 1861-1864

Caliber: .36 Caliber Ball

Action Type: Single Action Cap and Ball, 6-Shot, Black Powder Revolver

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “MANHATTAN FIRE ARMS CO. NEWARK N.J.”. The underside of the frame, barrel assembly, wedge, trigger guard and backstrap are marked “14640”. The outside of the cylinder has decorative roll-engraving as well as “PATENTED”, “DEC 27. 1859”. 

Barrel Length: 4” Octagonal

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a “V” notch in the hammer, visible when cocked.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is one-piece smooth walnut. There are a couple of small losses along the bottom edge on the left side. Otherwise, there are only a few scattered light marks. Overall, the grip is in about Very Good condition as an Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue Barrel and Cylinder, Case Colored Frame, Silver Plated Brass Trigger Guard and Backstrap

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is worn, but visible. There is light erosion and pitting scattered through the bore. The bore rates 4/10 in this writer’s opinion.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 50% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The strongest finish is found in the barrel. The grip frame retains silver only in a few scattered patches, most inside the trigger guard, and the butt; the remainder worn to bare brass and showing some scattered light nicks and scuffs. The cylinder has mostly gone to a light patina, mottled with some spots of remaining finish, with a turn line and much of the engraving is still observable. The barrel has some scattered light wear and surface oxidation. The frame and lever have a muted case color with some minor surface oxidation and a few light scratches. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with useable slots. Most markings are clear, the cylinder’s roll-engraving ranges from strong to faint, and the barrel’s serial marking is slightly faded. Overall, this revolver is in about Very Good condition as an Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder locks up with very little play on each chamber. The barrel has little play to the frame. The trigger is crisp. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: none

Our Assessment: With the expiration of the 1836 Colt patent on revolving cylinders containing multiple chambers looming on the horizon in the late 1850s, many pistol manufacturers prepared to offer a similar product of their own as soon as they possibly could. The Manhattan Arms Company would produce a wide variety of percussion pistols, culminating in the .36 caliber Manhattan Navy models, of which about 78,000 were manufactured. Manhattan Arms never received a military contract, but their pistols did see service during the Civil War, purchased by affluent soldiers because it was reliable and lighter weight than the Colt Army model. This is a Series III, which was manufactured between 1861 and 1864, distinguished by its five-shot cylinder. The serial numbers on all marked parts match, 40% of the original finish remains. This is a showpiece example collector’s piece.