This is a .42 caliber cup primed, large frame or ? Arm size Plant Manufacturing Company Front-Loading Revolver. These six-shot, solid frame, front loading single action revolvers, were produced by the Plants Manufacturing Company of New Haven, CT. Approximately 8,000 of these revolvers were produced during the mid-1860s, firing their proprietary patented? cup primed? cartridge. The Plants Manufacturing Company was financed by the New York based firm of Merwin & Bray, who also acted as the sales agents and exclusive distributor for Plants products.
This particular revolver is a Third Model revolver, which were produced in the 700-8000 serial number range. The 3rdModel guns were made in two types, the majority were the standard or ?Heavy Framed? version in the 700-6800 serial number range, with the last guns produced with a lighter, thinner frame and a ?pinched? site groove in the top strap. These ?Light Frame? Type II 3rdModel guns were produced in the 6800-8000 serial number range. These guns had a slightly lighter, narrower frame with a narrower ejection groove on the right side of the frame, forward of the cylinder and a ?pinched? sighting groove in the top strap that narrowed at both ends. Most of the Plant ?Army? sized revolvers were manufactured with silver plated brass frames, with the exception of about 150 later 1stmodel guns and about 450 2ndmodel guns. All of the pistols were single action revolvers with a sheathed spur trigger. The cylinder and ribbed octagon barrel were blued, with 6? being the nominal barrel length, but with variations known from about 5? through 6? being somewhat common. The grips were two-piece, secured with a single screw through a pair of brass escutcheons and were made of either varnished walnut or rosewood. The unique front loading? cylinder design was an attempt to evade the Rollin White ?bored through cylinder? patent, which Smith & Wesson held the rights to. A manual ejector rod was mounted on the right side of the frame, which was used to push empty cartridge casings out through the front of the cylinders chamber mouths. The gun was about the same size as Colt Model 1849 Pocket revolver but was much easier to reload and packed more firepower into the same sized package. As a result, the Plants Manufacturing Company Front Loading ?Army? Revolver became a popular choice for the armed citizen and military officer of the mid-1860s. The robust design was much stronger than direct competitors like the Smith & Wesson #2 ?Old Army?, and the .42 cartridge packed more punch than the Smith & Wesson in .32 rimfire.
Asking $1500 Obo
This particular revolver is a Third Model revolver, which were produced in the 700-8000 serial number range. The 3rdModel guns were made in two types, the majority were the standard or ?Heavy Framed? version in the 700-6800 serial number range, with the last guns produced with a lighter, thinner frame and a ?pinched? site groove in the top strap. These ?Light Frame? Type II 3rdModel guns were produced in the 6800-8000 serial number range. These guns had a slightly lighter, narrower frame with a narrower ejection groove on the right side of the frame, forward of the cylinder and a ?pinched? sighting groove in the top strap that narrowed at both ends. Most of the Plant ?Army? sized revolvers were manufactured with silver plated brass frames, with the exception of about 150 later 1stmodel guns and about 450 2ndmodel guns. All of the pistols were single action revolvers with a sheathed spur trigger. The cylinder and ribbed octagon barrel were blued, with 6? being the nominal barrel length, but with variations known from about 5? through 6? being somewhat common. The grips were two-piece, secured with a single screw through a pair of brass escutcheons and were made of either varnished walnut or rosewood. The unique front loading? cylinder design was an attempt to evade the Rollin White ?bored through cylinder? patent, which Smith & Wesson held the rights to. A manual ejector rod was mounted on the right side of the frame, which was used to push empty cartridge casings out through the front of the cylinders chamber mouths. The gun was about the same size as Colt Model 1849 Pocket revolver but was much easier to reload and packed more firepower into the same sized package. As a result, the Plants Manufacturing Company Front Loading ?Army? Revolver became a popular choice for the armed citizen and military officer of the mid-1860s. The robust design was much stronger than direct competitors like the Smith & Wesson #2 ?Old Army?, and the .42 cartridge packed more punch than the Smith & Wesson in .32 rimfire.
Asking $1500 Obo
