Original U.S. Civil War Era Rare Massachusetts Arms Company Wesson & Leavitt Patent .31cal Percussion Belt Revolver - Serial 444

Original Item. Only One Available. Now this is a REAL piece of firearms history! Introduced by the newly incorporated Massachusetts Arms Company in 1850, the Wesson & Leavitt Patent percussion revolvers were the first real competitor to Samuel Colt. These were produced in a larger .40cal "Dragoon Model", and the smaller .31cal "Belt Model" revolvers, which is what we have here.

The design was covered under patents filed by Daniel Leavitt and Edwin Wesson. The latter was the older brother of the famous gun makers Daniel and Frank Wesson, who had apprenticed under their older brother. The revolver was designed by Edwin Wesson and Thomas Warner, who was the factory superintendent at the time. Edwin would pass away in 1849, shortly before the release of the revolver, however his brother Daniel became one of the three principals of Mass. Arms, who then later broke away and started Smith & Wesson in 1855.

Unfortunately, it appeared that the "new" Revolver design infringed on at least three of Colt's patents. In 1851, Samuel Colt filed and won a historic patent infringement lawsuit against the Massachusetts Arms Company. This caused production to be stopped after approximately only 1800 were manufactured, 800 of the "Dragoon" and 1000 of the "Belt", making any example extremely rare.

This incredibly revolver is beautifully made and features a side hammer, a heavy six shot cylinder, and a 3 1/2" barrel, the most common length seen. The design is definitely robust and a bit heavier than the Colt designs. The design features a unique way of unhooking the barrel, which then folds upwards to allow the cylinder to be completely removed in order to be reloaded and then reassembled. It was apparently also considered that extra cylinders could be kept, already loaded, allowing a substantial rate of fire for the 1850s.

This example looks to have seen only light to moderate use, and no signs of major damage or alterations. The bluing on the barrel and part of the barrel latch is still very well retained, and there is also a good amount of the original finish on the lock plate. It also still has almost all of the etched designs on the cylinder, which we almost never see! The top of the cylinder strap is marked with the Mass. Arms Co. address, which shows a bit of wear from powder burn:

MASS. ARMS CO.
CHICOPEE FALLS

The side of the lock is correctly marked WESSON'S & LEAVITT'S PATENT, and there is also patent information stamped on the back of the cylinder and on the cylinder advance inside of the action.

On the back of the cylinder the markings are:

LEAVITT'S PATENT APRIL 29.1837

On the front of the action the rotating ring is a bit faintly marked with:

WESSON'S PATENT AUG. 28. 1849

The revolver is also marked with serial number 444 on the front of the cylinder arbor pin and on the barrel tenon that locks into the arbor pin. Our lovely example has a top quality walnut grip, which shows a lovely color and finish, though there is a wood filler repair by the rear of the trigger guard. We attempted to remove the grips to look for the serial number, however over a century of cleaning and waxing have made them difficult to remove, and we did not want to risk damage.

The revolver functions flawlessly, and looks to have seen light to moderate firing use. We did not notice any of the finicky behavior we often see on revolvers of this age. The bore is in very good condition, showing a partly bright finish with strong lands and grooves. There is a bit of past oxidation and fouling in areas, now cleaned away, and this is definitely the best bore we have seen on a "belt" model, and this is really an exceptional bore for a Pre Civil War percussion revolver. 

In just wonderful condition, this is a true opportunity for the discerning collector of early American firearms designs. In lovely condition and ready to display with pride!

Specifications: 

Years of Manufacture: 1850-1851
Caliber: .31cal
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 3 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 9 3/8 inches
Action: Single Action
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver

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