caliber. Barrel lengths about 5"-6"; half round and half octagonal in shape.
Two piece walnut grips of bag shape. Blued finish.
Serial numbers do not indicate quantities manufactured but were rather batch or manufacturing numbers—hence almost all found will have low numbers. Standard marking: MANHATTAN F.A. MFG. CO. NEW YORK.
Decorative engraving on the frame was standard.
Identified by the centrally pivoting shotgun style hammer, the relatively large overall size, and the presence of front and rear sights. This model is one of the scarcest of Manhattan firearms:
5C-002
| 5C-002 | Values—Good $250 | Fine $600 |
Manhattan Pepperbox Pistols
Pepperbox Pistols. Made c. 1856 to late 1850s; total quantity of various types estimated at from 2,500 to 3,000. Production in Norwich, Connecticut.
28 caliber (often described as 31). Barrel lengths usually of 3", 4", and 5"; number of shots varies, as indicated below. All models were double action.
Two piece walnut grips of bag shape. Blued and casehardened finishes.
Serial numbering believed to be based on the number of shots, and the barrel lengths, and appear in various series. Standard marking, first found on the barrels, and later on left side of the hammer: MANHATTAN F.A. MFG. CO./NEW YORK. Not all specimens bore this legend; later specimens dropped the address. CAST STEEL on barrel. Standard with frame engraving. Three-Shot; 3" barrel group; hand turned; very scarce:
| 5C-003 | Values—Good $450 | Fine $1,250 |
Five-Shot; 3", 4" or 5" barrel group; turned automatically when trigger pulled, a standard feature of all models excepting the Three-Shot:
5C-004
| 5C-004 | Values—Good $325 | Fine $975 |
Six-Shot; 3" or 4" barrel:
5C-005
| 5C-005 | Values—Good $325 | Fine $975 |
Six-Shot; 5" barrel; the scarcest of all Manhattan pepperbox pistols:
| 5C-006 | Values—Good $450 | Fine $1,250 |
Double Action Pepperbox
An unusual and unique variant of an American pepperbox as well as rare Manhattan. The single specimen viewed had a serial number that would indicate about 40 or 50 were made. 6 shot; 31 caliber. large oversize trigger bow to accommodate the double action trigger. Most unusual features are the nipples which are set in straight line with the 4" barrels (much like Blunt & Syms pepperboxes; q.v.). Hammer almost flush fitted at top of bold scroll engraved frame operates with a rolling motion.
Marked on barrel rib MANHATTAN F.A. MF’G CO. PATENT APPLIED FOR:
5C-006.5
| 5C-006.5 | Values—Good $1,750 | Fine $4,500 |
Manhattan Pocket Model Revolvers
Pocket Model Revolvers. Made c. 1858-1862. Total quantity of the two series about 4,800. Produced in Newark, New Jersey.
31 caliber. 5- or 6-shot cylinders, with roll engraved stagecoach holdup scene. Barrel lengths of 4", 5", or 6"; octagonal in shape; value premium placed on 5" and 6" lengths.
Two piece walnut grips. Blued finish, with casehardened hammer and loading lever.
Serial numbered from 1 on up, beginning with the First Series, and continuing to completion in the Second. Scroll engraving standard on the frame.
These Pocket Model revolvers offered some features which were patented and original with Manhattan, but basically they counted on their similarity to the Colt Model 1849 Pocket revolver for sales appeal. It was however rather unusual to find a mass produced repeating handgun on which hand engraving was a standard feature. Specimens known with transitional features of both series and worth premium.
Series I Pocket Model; 5-shot cylinder, with 10 cylinder stop slots. Small size trigger guard and grips. Patent date not present on frame, and the barrel marked: MANHATTAN FIRE ARMS/MANUFG. CO.NEW-YORK. Serial range from 1 to about 1000. Three examples of an unusual variant of this Series I have been identified with 5-shot, plain, unengraved cylinders having only five stop slots; all with serials under 500 (including an engraved and presentation-inscribed model). Rare and worth premiums.
5C-007
| 5C-007 | Values—Good $375 | Fine $1,000 |
Series II Pocket Model; 6-shot cylinder, with 12 cylinder stop slots. Large size trigger guard and grips. Marked on frame: DECEMBER 27, 1859, and on barrel in one line: MANHATTAN FIRE ARMS MF’G.CO.NEW YORK. Frames and gripstraps usually plated. Serial range from about 1000 to about 4800:
5C-008
| 5C-008 | Values—Good $350 | Fine $950 |
Manhattan/London Pistol Company Variation
London Pistol Company variation, made by Manhattan. Percussion revolver made during the period of the Series I and early Series II Pocket Model Manhattans (q.v.), and differing from those arms as follows: Barrel marking LONDON PISTOL COMPANY, frame stamping (beneath cylinder) PATENTED DEC. 27, 1859,