Percussion pistol with hand-revolved cylinder and Maynard patent tape primer manufactured by the Massachusetts Arms Co. of Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts, circa 1851-1857. The Massachusetts Arms Co. was an early Colt competitor that was successful sued by Samuel Colt for patent infringement in 1851. As a result of the lawsuit, the Massachusetts Arms Co. redesigned their handguns with a hand-revolved cylinder and Maynard tape primer. Total production is estimated at approximately 1,000 pistols. At least 200 of these pistols were shipped to abolitionist John Brown in Kansas in 1857. This revolver has the desirable six-inch round barrel. The barrel has a pinchback brass front sight blade and the top strap has a fixed rear sight. The six-shot, manually revolved cylinder is decorated with acid etched floral and military designs. The Maynard tape primer magazine is located on the right side of the frame. The barrel, cylinder, trigger guard and back strap have a high polish blue finish. The frame, top strap, hammer and side plate are color casehardened. The two-piece walnut grips have a high polish varnish finish. The top strap is roll-stamped: "MASS. ARMS CO./CHICOPEE FALLS" in two lines. The tape primer door is roll-stamped with a Springfield Armory style Eagle and Shield motif with "MAYNARD'S PATENT" stamped in an arch above the eagle and "SEP. 22. 1845" below it. The serial number, "554", is stamped on the front face of the frame and the assembly number, "157", is stamped on the barrel lug and cylinder pin. The side plate, left side and top of the frame and hammer are decorated with broad scroll engraving.

Excellent. The revolver is all original and retains nearly 90% of the blue and casehardened finish with only minimal firing wear. There is some very minor flash pitting on the barrel breech but none on the frame or cylinder. The barrel has 85% plus of the high polish blue finish. The cylinder has some finish loss on the face but the sides and rear have nearly all the blue finish and the acid etched designs on the cylinder body remain in near-perfect condition. The trigger guard has 90% of the silver finish and the back strap has 60% of the silver finish. The top strap, frame, side plate and hammer retain more than 95% of the subdued color casehardened finish. The magazine door has 98% silver-plated finish. The factory engraving and markings are very crisp. The grips are in very good overall condition and show light-moderate handling wear with about 90% of the original varnish finish. This is an outstanding example of a scarce and historic Massachusetts Arms Co. Maynard Primed Belt Revolver.