EXTREMELY RARE FACTORY ENGRAVED MANHATTAN NAVY PERCUSSION REVOLVER WITH BUFFALO BILL ATTRIBUTION.

EXTREMELY RARE FACTORY ENGRAVED MANHATTAN NAVY PERCUSSION REVOLVER WITH BUFFALO BILL ATTRIBUTION. SN 37 Cal. 36. Fine Manhattan Navy with 6-1/2″ oct bbl, German silver front sight, 1-line bbl address with 5-shot cylinder that has five different rolled panels executed in very fine detail, that depict Cavalry charging infantry, sailors landing on shore shooting at infantry, cavalryman with a sword charging infantry and another Naval & Infantry scene and a scene of sailors rowing out to an anchored steam sailer with an American flag on the stern. The cylinder has the “1859” patent date at the rear edge and has the spring plate mounted to the recoil shield. The serial numbers appear only in hidden areas with no externally visible numbers. The cylinder has twelve rectangular stop notches. The frame, bbl lug, back strap & trigger bow are beautifully engraved by the Nimschke shop with fine flowing arabesque patterns with a fine punch dot background. The hammer is engraved to match with wolf’s heads on each side of hammer nose. Top of back strap has a familiar Nimschke fan and he has incorporated flower blossoms in the engraving on each side of the bbl lug. The butt strap & trigger bow are engraved to match as is the rammer pivot. It has a silver plated trigger guard & back strap with a spectacular 1-pc ivory grip deep relief carved on left side with the vignette of a running buffalo in a field & forest scene with a human figure in the background. The serial number is found in ink in the buttstrap channel. Accompanied by a signed letter from Orvin Davidson dated April 15, 1982 to Mr. Guy Poitras of Troy, Ohio wherein he states “The pistol which was purchased at our sale, it belonged to my brother-in-law who is deceased and my sister informs me that it had belonged to Buffalo Bill who used it in circuses back in the 1800’s.” Also accompanied by a fine period black leather flap holster in military style with a large brass flap stud. Page 90 of L.D. Nimschke Firearms Engraver, Wilson, shows one similarly engraved Manhattan revolver. CONDITION: Fine plus, all matching including wedge and grip. Bbl retains traces of orig blue, being mostly a medium gray/brown patina. Frame retains thin dark case colors and trigger guard & back strap traces of orig silver plating. Grip has a couple of minor age lines and shows moderate to heavy wear on the buffalo and retains a wonderful mellow ivory color. The engraving is sharp & clear showing little wear. Mechanics are crisp, strong bore with moderate to heavy pitting. 4-31875 JR225 (5,000-7,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2008

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1311	$8,625.00	EXTREMELY RARE FACTORY ENGRAVED MANHATTAN NAVY PERCUSSION REVOLVER WITH BUFFALO BILL ATTRIBUTION. SN 37 Cal. 36. Fine Manhattan Navy with 6-1/2″ oct bbl, German silver front sight, 1-line bbl address with 5-shot cylinder that has five different rolled panels executed in very fine detail, that depict Cavalry charging infantry, sailors landing on shore shooting at infantry, cavalryman with a sword charging infantry and another Naval & Infantry scene and a scene of sailors rowing out to an anchored steam sailer with an American flag on the stern. The cylinder has the “1859” patent date at the rear edge and has the spring plate mounted to the recoil shield. The serial numbers appear only in hidden areas with no externally visible numbers. The cylinder has twelve rectangular stop notches. The frame, bbl lug, back strap & trigger bow are beautifully engraved by the Nimschke shop with fine flowing arabesque patterns with a fine punch dot background. The hammer is engraved to match with wolf’s heads on each side of hammer nose. Top of back strap has a familiar Nimschke fan and he has incorporated flower blossoms in the engraving on each side of the bbl lug. The butt strap & trigger bow are engraved to match as is the rammer pivot. It has a silver plated trigger guard & back strap with a spectacular 1-pc ivory grip deep relief carved on left side with the vignette of a running buffalo in a field & forest scene with a human figure in the background. The serial number is found in ink in the buttstrap channel. Accompanied by a signed letter from Orvin Davidson dated April 15, 1982 to Mr. Guy Poitras of Troy, Ohio wherein he states “The pistol which was purchased at our sale, it belonged to my brother-in-law who is deceased and my sister informs me that it had belonged to Buffalo Bill who used it in circuses back in the 1800’s.” Also accompanied by a fine period black leather flap holster in military style with a large brass flap stud. Page 90 of L.D. Nimschke Firearms Engraver, Wilson, shows one similarly engraved Manhattan revolver. CONDITION: Fine plus, all matching including wedge and grip. Bbl retains traces of orig blue, being mostly a medium gray/brown patina. Frame retains thin dark case colors and trigger guard & back strap traces of orig silver plating. Grip has a couple of minor age lines and shows moderate to heavy wear on the buffalo and retains a wonderful mellow ivory color. The engraving is sharp & clear showing little wear. Mechanics are crisp, strong bore with moderate to heavy pitting. 4-31875 JR225 (5,000-7,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2008 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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