A Colt lawsuit forced Mass. Arms to switch to manually rotated cylinders and led to the adoption of the Maynard priming system in an attempt to win over potential customers. On this early example, the cylinder is released via a mall button ahead of the trigger, and then cocking the hammer activates the primer and readies the revolver to fire without further advancing the cylinder. It has a brass blade front sight, "MASS. ARMS CO/CHICOPEE FALLS" and a notch rear sight on the top strap, etched floral designs on the cylinder, scroll engraving on the frame and primer door, "MAYNARD'S PATENT/SEP. 22. 1845." on the primer door, and a flourish of floral engraving on the back strap. The primer door, frame, front strap, and grips are numbered "442." The grip frame has "20," "L," and "334" on the right side, and the grips are numbered "347" in pencil.

Very fine. 75% plus of the original blue finish remains, the vast majority remains on the barrel and the balance has gray and brown patina. There is some slight oxidation. The grips are fine and have a few large dents and various overall light scratches from handling and storage. The markings and designs are crisp, and it is mechanically excellent.