This is one of approximately 600 purchased by the U.S. government of the 1,000 Adams Navy Model revolvers manufactured by the Massachusetts Arms Co. in the late 1850s and early 1860s. The revolver has the Kerr patent rammer on the left side of the six-inch octagon barrel, .36 caliber five-shot cylinder, safety bar on the right side of the frame, hammer with coarse knurled spur and one-piece, checkered walnut grip with a provision in center of grips presumably for a lanyard. The revolver has a high polish blue finish with casehardened hammer and butt cap. "KERR'S.PATENT/APRIL 14.1857" is stamped on the left side of the loading lever. The top strap is stamped: "MANUFACTURED BY/MASS. ARMS CO./CHICOPEE FALLS." in three lines. Matching serial number "186" marked on the cylinder and left side of the frame. "ADAMS.PATENT/MAY 3D 1853" is roll-stamped on the left side of the frame. "PATENT/JUNE 3.1856" is stamped on the right side of the frame. The left grip panel marked with boxed script "JT" cartouche of Ordnance Sub-Inspector Josiah Tatnal, and the right side with "WAT" cartouche of Ordnance Inspector Major William A. Thorton. Small Ordnance "A" and "T" sub-inspection marks are stamped on the major components. Substantial numbers of Beaumont-Adams double action revolvers were imported from Great Britain by both sides during the Civil War, but the approximate 600 Massachusetts Arms Co. Adams Navy Model revolvers were the only Adams revolvers with Ordnance inspection marks.

Fine, retaining 50% of the original high polish blue finish with scattered mild spotting, scattered light pitting, brown patina, and edge wear, with most of the finish loss concentrated on the trigger guard and front grip strap. The cylinder, percussion nipples, hammer and edges of the frame have light flash pitting. The grip is also fine with some light handling marks, checkering wear on the right grip, and faint, legible cartouches. Mechanically excellent.