Civil War Pistol????

[bbheigle0605]

Hi again! I'm so glad I found this site. I've became somewhat addicted Anyway, my husband found this relic while disking a field some years ago. We live not far from Vicksburg, MS. We've been researching over the years and even emailed some photos to a "expert". Till this day, we do not have a clear answer on what this pistol is. Wondering if any of you could shed some light for us? I tried to include some good photos and measurements as I could. The # on the bottom is 7579 (my opinion). Thanks so much for all the help y'all have given us so far.

 

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[NOLA_Ken]

What you have is what's left of a spur trigger pocket revolver, it'll be difficult to id it more precisely than that, because there were so many different makers, and styles. I'd date it post civil war most likely, possibly in the 1870's (due to the low serial#) but possibly later, as they were made for quite a while. The size of it makes me think it was likely a .22, but that's just my guess. I'll poke around a bit and see if I can narrow it down to a possible maker.

 

[bbheigle0605]

What you have is what's left of a spur trigger pocket revolver, it'll be difficult to id it more precisely than that, because there were so many different makers, and styles. I'd date it post civil war most likely, possibly in the 1870's (due to the low serial#) but possibly later, as they were made for quite a while. The size of it makes me think it was likely a .22, but that's just my guess. I'll poke around a bit and see if I can narrow it down to a possible maker.

Really! That's great! Thank you so much!!

 

[Critical Recovery]

I agree, it is a spur trigger pocket revolver in a smaller caliber.
I seem to have the name "Liberty" stuck in my head? I only say so because of the square butt but there are a LOT of different makes.

 

[NOLA_Ken]

For some reason I can't edit my last post. Anyway, with a little poking around, I think it's possible your pistol is a Manhattan .22. If so I was a bit off on my dating, and it would actually have been made around 1862.

 

[Critical Recovery]

For some reason I can't edit my last post. Anyway, with a little poking around, I think it's possible your pistol is a Manhattan .22. If so I was a bit off on my dating, and it would actually have been made around 1862.

yeah, I think you nailed it.
I just wish that that design wasn't SOO copied by so many little makers that came and went, otherwise I would be 100% certain.
Any way to check their serial numbers? Sometimes you can eliminate makers by serial number style. (letters, numbers, etc)

 

[NOLA_Ken]

I found this info, Manhattan 22 caliber cartridge pistol the key features I looked at were the round side plate and the shape of the latch area on the front of the frame.

 

[NOLA_Ken]

Still unable to edit? I have no idea why, but here's another site with better photos that dates the pistol to 1860-61 GuideCartridge

 

[kuger]

Manhatten has a Forum of collectors....Awesome folks there,and I bet they can tell ya all you need to know.I know they did with my Pepperbox,and my buds(Ironman) 6 shot Revolver

I cant find the forum...if somebody can search T-Net,it has been listed on here

 

[Critical Recovery]

Still unable to edit? I have no idea why, but here's another site with better photos that dates the pistol to 1860-61 GuideCartridge

I had that problem in this thread too, so it's not just you.
I can safely say that I think you nailed it. The one I found was ID'd as a "liberty" and had a wider grip section. All of the dimensions seem to match on these. (Yours and OPs)
And the date puts it into CW era as per the OPs question..

 

[bbheigle0605]

Wow! The "expert" showed us something completely different! I can't remember what he said it was but I knew the measurements didn't add up and didn't look anything alike. Anyway, y'all have made my day and its so nice to finally have a answer!! I will dig around in that forum. His family has also found Union and Confederate belt buckles, bullets, and musket balls in the same field. Was hoping it was civil war era Again, thanks so much!!!

 

[NOLA_Ken]

Well, I'd comb over every inch of that field with a detector.... I'll bet there's plenty more to be found there, and you might end up with the other half of your gun too.....