One of approximately 1,000 manufactured c. 1851-1857, these "Belt revolvers" were the altered version of the earlier Wesson & Leavitt Dragoon revolvers. A court ruling in favor of Samuel Colt in 1851 prevented Mass. Arms Co. from making the Wesson & Leavitt revolvers. The company was forced to find a work around to making revolvers without infringing on Colt's patents, with their solution being to make revolvers with hand turned cylinders. In an effort to make these more primitive firearms more desirable, they fitted them with Maynard's "advanced" tape priming system, but they remained fairly unpopular, keeping production numbers low. This example shows beautiful factory embellishment, including flourishes of floral scroll engraving on the sides of the frame and hammer. The cylinder has acid etched floral and martial motifs, and there is an American eagle and shield on the primer door. It is fitted with a small button ahead of the trigger which releases the cylinder for manual rotation. The standard Mass. Arms. Co. address is on the top strap and the Maynard's patent markings on the primer door. The serial number "291" is on the front face of the frame. It is fitted with a pair of smooth walnut grips.

Fine, retains 50% plus of the original blue finish, 30% of the original case colors, and 60% of the original silver finish with the balance having thinned to a grey or brown patina and some scattered patches of light pitting. The grips are also fine with some minor dings and scratches. Mechanically fine.