INSCRIBED MANHATTANS
manhattanfirearms.com
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| L.B. Casey Navy Model |
Here are some "Inscribed Manhattans"!!! ( double-click on the photos for larger pics ) "Inscribed Manhattans" means that someone had their name engraved or even scratched on a pistol or were "Presented" these guns by friends,associates,fellow soldiers etc. Some may have been done at time of purchase or added later. Some of these guns are historically significant, while others are a mystery to me. If you have any info to add to these guns or their previous owners please let me know. |
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Manhattan Navy Series IV Inscribed "Col. Sergt. L.B. Casey, 176th N.Y.V.V.I." |
| Inscription under the grip |
| Barrel Address |
History: This Manhattan Navy .36 cal. Pistol belonged to Luke B. Casey. He was born in Parishville, New York. Prior to the war he was a farmer. He was drafted, at age 20, in Company I, 176th Regiment New York Infantry as a Private in July,1863. He was promoted to Color Guard Sergeant in November,1863 In February 1866, he was promoted to First Sergeant. I was so confused when I first read this inscription. I read it as Colonel Sergeant, which I had never heard of. After I checked the National Archives I found out that Sgt. Casey was the Color Sergeant. He was the company flag bearer. Also confusing was the markings N.Y.V.V.I . This stands for New York Veteran Volunteers Infantry. All these soldiers in this new company were veterans. The troops probably gave him this pistol as he could carry it with the flag. |
Manhattan Second Model Pocket Revolver Inscribed "Presented to Capt. A. Hulett by Co D 147 Regt. NYSV" |
| A. Hulett 2nd Model Pocket |
| Inscription on the backstrap |
| Inscription on Butt |
| Barrel Address |
| A. Hulett 2nd Model Pocket |
History: One special feature on this gun is the gold wash that plates the cylinder. Co.D of the 147th NY was commanded in the Civil War by Captain Alexander Hulett. Alexander was 39 years old when he enlisted September 10th, 1862 at Oswego, NY. The One Hundred and Forty-seventh Regiment New York volunteers was mustered into the United States service September 23, 1862. Capt Hulett resigned February 4, 1863. The 147th fought at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. |
American Standard Tool .22 cal Revolver Inscribed "R.J. Wick" and "J.B.Ayer" |
| Barrel Address |
| Inscription on the backstrap |
| Inscription on Butt |
| R.J. Wick American Standard Tool |
| R.J. Wick American Standard Tool |
History: This .22 cal revolver features special order pearl grips and fully engraved frame. The original inscription on the backstrap is R.J. Wick. I am clueless to who he is. But the butt has the name J.B. Ayer carved into it. J.B. Ayer was a famous saloon owner in Charleston, AZ near Tombstone. The "J.B. Ayer's Saloon" is one of the more famous saloons of the old west and is associated with several outlaws and their dealings with Tombstone's Wyatt Earp. |
Manhattan Navy Series I Revolver Inscribed "Wade Hampton Jr." and "S. Car. Vols." |
| Inscription on the backstrap |
| Barrel Address |
| Wade Hampton Jr. Manhattan Navy |
| Top of English Oak Case |
| Engraved cylinder |
| English Proof Marks |
History: This Manhattan Navy series I Revolver is a special order Browned finish. It features London proof marks, English casing and accessories, Manhattan marked bullet mold, and a special hand engraved cylinder instead of the standard rolled engraved cylinder. This gun was shipped to England just before the Civil War started and was probably smuggled back into the Confederacy at the start of the war. This Manhattan Navy is inscribed to Wade Hampton Jr. This pistol belonged to the family of CSA General Wade Hampton. The Hampton's were one of the richest families in the U.S. His great grandfather, also named Wade Hampton, was a Colonel is the Continental Army and General in the War of 1812. At one time he was the largest land owner in the U.S. Lt. General Wade Hampton the III was the founder of the famed Hampton's Legion. He rose to be one of the highest Confederate generals by the end of the war. Later after the war Wade became the Governor of South Carolina and a U.S. Senator. His son Wade Hampton the IV and his horse enlisted with the South Carolina Volunteers, "Hampton's Legion" as a private in South Carolina 2nd Calvary Regiment, Co. I. He transferred in Dec.,1861 to General J.E. Johnston's Staff and was serving as an aide with his dad when he was killed in battle in 1864. |
Manhattan First Model .22 Revolver Inscribed "S. Ambrose. Chillicothe, O." |
| Inscription on the backstrap |
| Sgt. Samuel Ambrose, 22nd Ohio Manhattan First Model .22 |
History: This Manhattan First Model .22 caliber revolver belonged to Samuel Ambrose of Chillicothe, Ohio. Ambrose enlisted at Chillicothe on April 16th,1861 in Company A of the 22nd Ohio Infantry. Then re-enlisted on Oct 25, 1861 as Sgt. in Company K of the 73rd Ohio Infantry. He was promoted to Sgt Major Apr 8, 1863, to QM Sgt. on Jan 1, 1864, and to 1st Lt Co I on Jan 8, 1864. Sgt. Ambrose fought in nearly every major battle in the Civil War including Chancellorsville, Bull Run,Gettysburg and Sherman's March to Atlanta. This gun was made in 1861 and is a first model, third variation. |
London Pistol Company Revolver Inscribed "Presented to Ja. Dickinson" "by Engine Co. No 5" "Cleveland. O" |
| James Dickinson London Pistol Company (Manhattan First Model Pocket) |
| Inscription on the backstrap |
| Inscription on the butt |
| Inscription on the triggerguard |
| Patent date underneath on the frame |
| Barrel Address |
History: This London Pistol Company .31 caliber gun belonged to Sergeant James W. Dickinson of Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Dickinson was born in Saxton's River village, Windham Co., Vt., on December 25, 1836. In 1848 he joined the Cataract Engine Company, No. 5, in Cleveland, Ohio, as a torch boy, and served in that capacity until September 3, 1854, when he was elected member of the company. Early the next year, he was made second assistant foreman, and in 1857 was advanced to the position of first assistant. It is said that when, in 1859, he was elected foreman of that company he was the proudest young man in the volunteer fire department in Cleveland. The London Pistol Company Revolver is a Manhattan First Model Pocket with blemishes or defects. The name "London Pistol Company" was given as to protect Manhattan's quality reputation. The poor volunteer firemen of Company No.5 would have bought this cheaper "second-quality" gun to save money and then splurged on having a very long inscription almost covering the entire pistol. Probably they presented this pistol to their leader in honor of leaving to join the Civil War. Dickinson was a born musician, and in 1861, he was among the first to respond to President Lincoln's call for three-months men, joining Leland's band, which was attached to the Nineteenth O.V.I., After receiving an honorable discharge at the end of his term,he re-enlisted and was assigned to the Forty-first O.V.I. Band, and was present at several of the historic battles in which that regiment engaged. He remained with the Forty-first until all regimental bands were discharged, in the fall of 1862. In May, 1864, he enlisted in Company E., 150th O.V.I. and was then detailed for service again in the famous Leland's band. He was honorably discharged at the end of the one hundred days, for which the regiment had enlisted to hold the forts around Washington. They received special thanks and recognition from President Lincoln and War Secretary Stanton. After the war he returned to Cleveland’s Fire Department. In 1873 Mr. Dickinson was chosen to attend the World's Fair at Vienna, Austria, as engineer of the American exhibit of rotary steam fire engines, and on his return in February, 1874, he was promoted second assistant chief. In 1875 he was promoted to the rank of first assistant chief and advanced in rank until on December 22, 1880, James W. Dickinson was appointed Fire Chief of the City of Cleveland. |
Manhattan Navy Series III Revolver Inscribed "presented to sheriff J.T.Carr by citizens of Laramie Co WYO Terr” |
| Card case with Initals |
| Open card case |
| Coin inlays on right grip |
| Inscription on the backstrap |
| Coin inlays on left grip |
| Jeff Carr Manhattan Navy |
History: This Manhattan Series III .36 caliber revolver belonged to Sheriff Jeff Carr. It came with a holster and a playing card case with Jeff's initials. He is one of the West's most famous law officers. He was famous for making Wild Bill Hickok check his guns in town, He later arrested Jack McCall who shot Hickok. In addition to being the Sheriff of Laramie County, He also became the Chief of Police of Cheyenne and later was the United States Marshal for the state of Wyoming. Jeff Carr was featured in the movie "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid". He was in the posse who chased the bandits over the cliff. Later when they were with Katherine Ross, she was reading from the newspaper who was in the posse that was chasing them. She tells Paul Newman and Robert Redford that it was "Jeff Carr" and others. |
Second Model Manhattan .22 Caliber Revolver Inscribed "ARC 4th Ind Cav" |
| Albert C. Rozencranz Manhattan 2nd Model .22 cal |
| Special order frame engraving |
| Inscription on the butt |
History: This Manhattan Second Model .22 cal Revolver belonged to Major Albert Carl Rosencranz. In 1861 he aided in the organization of Company A, First Regiment Indiana Legion, and upon the muster in of the company became orderly sergeant. In July, 1862, he recruited Company F, Fourth Indiana Cavalry, and was commissioned First Lieutenant, and in 1863 was promoted to the Captaincy. His first service in the field was as bodyguard to General Ebenezer Dumont, a Mexican War officer of prominence. He was in several important battles, notably among the number, Chickamauga. In March, 1864, the regiment was ordered to join Sherman on his famous march to the sea. Near Buzzard's Roost the brigade to which he was attached, while making a reconnaissance in front of the left flank of Sherman's Army, was attacked by the enemy and lost heavily. Eight officers were lost. Capt. Rosencranz was slightly wounded and captured; Rosencranz spent a year in several Confederate prison camps and afterwards was commissioned Major, his commission being dated May 1, 1865. After the war he returned to Evansville, Indiana where he became a successful businessman and city leader. His home is on the historic register in Evansville. It is a 1890 brick Queen Anne style home. |
| Sheriff Jeff Carr, circa 1870 |
| Albert C. Rosencranz portrait |
| CSA General Wade Hampton |
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Cased Manhattan 5-shot Pepperbox. Owned by PrivateTerrence McGowan, 9th U.S. Infantry |
History: This Manhattan Pepperbox was the personal sidearm of Private Terrence McGowan of Maine. He enlisted in Company F, U.S. Ninth Infantry on November 8th,1860, before the start of the Civil War. The U.S. Ninth Infantry was soon stationed in San Francisco, California for the duration of the war. Terrence served as the Tailor to the officers staff. He reenlisted in 1868 in Battery Co. D, 2nd U.S. Artillery at Black Point, San Fransisco, California. Again he reenlisted in 1872 in Battery Co. A, 4th U.S. Artillery at the Presidio, California. |
| Manhattan 5-shot pepperbox |
| Cased pepperbox |
| Address on bar hammer |
| Percussion cap storage in the bottom of the flask |
| .30 caliber bullet mold |
| Cleaning rod, powder flask, bullet mold and key |
| Ruby Ambrotype of Civil War Soldier with Manhattan Pocket Pistol |
Manhattan Navy Series III Inscribed "Presented to Capt. A.W. Bowen / By Co. E. 173d O.V.I.” |
History: This Manhattan Navy was the personal sidearm of Captain Anthony W. Bowen of Ohio. He was 21 years old when he enlisted in the 6th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served with the 6th from June of 1861 until June of 1863. He was wounded at the Battle of Chickamauga in 1863. During his service with the 6th he was at the battles of Shiloh, Stones River, Corinth Chattanooga, and Missionary Ridge. When the regiment was moved back to Camp Dennison to muster out, Bowen re-enlisted as a Captain in the 173rd O.V.I. The 173rd was ordered to Nashville where they were on the Murfreesboro Pike and then Fort Negley. They fought at the Battle of Nashville in 1864 and then were moved to Columbia, Tennessee. |
| Manhattan Series III Navy is factory engraved with Mother of Pearl Grips |
| The very rare Mother of Pearl grips are two pieces. This 5" barrel Navy is Nickel plated. |
| Inscription on the backstrap |