Cased Manhattan Firearms Revolver Inscribed to Major General Andrew Woods Denison / SOLD
Cased Manhattan Firearms Revolver Inscribed to Major General Andrew Woods Denison - Inventory Number: HAN 261 / SOLD
Cased Manhattan Firearms Seven-Shot Revolver with Factory Engraving - Housed in its original velvet lined hardwood case. The lid bears a silver plaque which is inscribed A.W. Denison. Andrew Wood Denison was a Civil War Union Brevet Major General. In 1862 he helped raise and recruit the 8th Maryland Volunteer Infantry regiment and was commissioned its Colonel and commander on September 12th of that year. He would go on to serve through the balance of the war, rising to command the "Maryland Brigade" (1st Brigade, 2nd Division, V Corps, Army of the Potomac). At Laurel Hill, during the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia his right arm was shattered by a Confederate bullet, necessitating its amputation. He recovered later in the year to rejoin his brigade, and led it at the March 31, 1865, Battle of White Oak Road, one of the precursor battles that facilitated the collapse of the Confederate defenses at Petersburg, Virginia. In that action he was wounded a second time. He was brevetted Brigadier General, US Volunteers on August 19, 1865 for "meritorious conduct in the battles of the Wilderness and Spotsylvania Court House, Va.," and Major General, US Volunteers on March 31, 1865 for "gallant conduct in the battle of White Oak Road, Va." Mustered out of service on May 31, 1865, he was appointed as Postmaster of Baltimore, Maryland in 1869, and held the position until his death in 1877.
Engraved Manhattan Arms Pocket Revolver in .22 Rimfire, made in Newark, New Jersey circa the 1860s. This small, 7 shot .22 revolver was a direct copy of the successful Smith & Wesson Model No. 1 Second Issue Revolver.
The cylinder scene on this revolver features settlers and Native Americans in a desperate fight. Cylinder scenes served multiple purposes at this time, primarily to make a gun difficult to forge, but certainly you can see the aesthetic value and the advertising that this one does for itself. A fascinating, if dark and gruesome, peek into mid-19th century America.
The overall condition is good with some light pitting throughout the steel surfaces. The brass surfaces have a light patina. The markings and engravings are legible. The hardwood grips are in good shape. The bore is clear with some good rifling. The action on this revolver is good. An excellent artifact of a Union Major General.
History of Manhattan Firearms / American Standard Tool Co.:
The Manhattan Fire Arms Manufacturing Co. was founded by a group of New Jersey businessmen in 1856. Their goal was to take advantage of Colt’s patent for revolving firearms that was due to expire in 1857. The founders hired Thomas Bacon to became the Superintendent of Manufacturing.
Manufacturing began in Norwich, Connecticut and in 1859 moved to Newark, New Jersey. Thomas Bacon remained in Norwich and started his own firearms company. During their existence, Manhattan Firearms produced approximately 175,000 pistols. Only Colt, Remington, and Winchester produced more guns during this era which included the Civil War.
Inventory Number: HAN 261 / SOLD