Lot 3098

Fine Factory Engraved Mass. Arms Maynard Primed Belt Revolver

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Fine Factory Engraved Mass. Arms Maynard Primed Belt Revolver

Estimate: $3,000 - $4,500

Starting Bid: $2,500

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 23, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Fine Factory Engraved Mass. Arms Co. Maynard Primed Belt Revolver with Factory Acid Etched Manually Revolved Cylinder One of approximately 1,000 of the Primed Belt revolvers manufactured c. 1851-1857 per page 362 of "Flayderman's Guide, 9th Edition". These "Belt revolvers" were the altered version of the earlier Wesson & Leavitt Dragoon revolvers. A court ruling in favor of Samuel Colt in 1851 prevented Mass. Arms Co. from making the Wesson & Leavitt revolvers. The company was forced to find a work around to making revolvers without infringing on Colt's patents, with their solution being to make revolvers with hand turned cylinders. In an effort to make these more primitive firearms more desirable, they fitted them with Maynard's "advanced" tape priming system, but they remained fairly unpopular, keeping production numbers low. This example shows beautiful factory embellishment, including flourishes of floral scroll engraving on the sides of the frame and hammer, an American eagle and shield surrounded by an engraved shield on the primer door, and the cylinder has acid etched floral and martial motifs. It has a small button ahead of the trigger that releases the cylinder for manual rotation. The Mass. Arms. Co. address is marked on the top strap and Maynard's patent markings are on the primer door. The serial number "474" is marked on the front face of the frame. "212" is marked on the barrel lug and front of the cylinder arbor pin.

Manufacturer: Massachusetts Arms Co

Model: Maynard Primed Belt

BBL: 6 inch round

Gauge: .31

Finish: blue/casehardened/silver

Grips: walnut

Serial Number474

Class: Antique

  • Condition: Fine overall, retains 60% plus original blue finish, 20% original case colors, 90% plus original silver plating with an attractive aged patina, with smooth brown and gray patina on the balance, light oxidation, a few small patches of pitting, a small chip at the lower front corner of the left grip, light scratches and nicks in the grips, sharp engraving and well-defined acid etching on the cylinder. Mechanically excellent.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000