One of only approximately 1,000 manufactured c. 1851-1857, these "Belt revolvers" or "John Brown Models" were the altered version of the earlier Wesson & Leavitt Dragoon revolvers, with at least 200 shipped to abolitionist John Brown in Kansas in 1857. When the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Massachusetts granted Samuel Colt an injunction against Mass. Arms Co. in 1851 that prevented them from making the Wesson & Leavitt revolvers, the company was forced to find a work around to making revolvers without infringing on Colt's patents. They turned to making hand turned revolvers. To make these more primitive firearms more palatable to the public, Mass Arms Co. equipped it with Maynard's "advanced" tape priming system, but these revolvers were naturally still not very popular, leaving production rather limited. This example shows beautiful factory embellishment, including flourishes of floral scroll engraving on the sides of the frame and hammer, acid etched floral and martial motifs on the cylinder, and 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 "620" is on the front face of the frame and the assembly number "85" is on various other components. It is fitted with a pair of smooth walnut grips. Includes a hardwood case with bullet mold, powder flask, priming tape tin (all three Mass. Arms Co. marked), ramrod, key, primer tape, and a few balls.

Very fine, retains 60% plus of the original blue finish, 40% of the original case colors, and 70% of the original silver with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina and both the etching and engraving remaining exceptionally crisp. The grips are very fine with a few scattered minor dings. Mechanically excellent. The case is very fine with some mild wear on the interior and a few light handling/storage marks on the exterior. The accessories are fine with some mild wear. An exceptional example of a rare Mass. Arms Co. Belt revolver that is complete with the case and accessories!