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. This example, serial number 100, is bearing faint oval script inspection cartouches stamped on both sides of the grip. 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. Matching serial number "100" marked on the cylinder and left of the frame, "ADAMS.PATENT/MAY 3D 1853" roll-stamped on the left of the frame, "PATENT/JUNE 3.1856" stamped on the right of the frame. Small "A" and "T" Ordnance sub-inspection marks stamped on the major components.