Guns International #: 103337020

Category - Antique Revolvers - Cartridge - Civil War Revolvers

Category
Antique Revolvers - Cartridge
Civil War Revolvers

Moore’s Patent “Teat-Fire” Revolver – .32 Caliber Pocket Model

Description:

Moore’s Patent “Teat-Fire” Revolver – .32 Caliber Pocket Model
Manufacturer: National Arms Company, Brooklyn, New York
Patent Marks: D. Williamson’s Patent, June 5 & May 17 1864
Serial Number: 27746
Estimated Production: Approx. 30,000 total; about 7,000 with right-side hook extractor and “National Arms Co.” barrel marking
Production Period: c. 1864 – 1870
Type: Double-action pocket revolver (front-loading “teat-fire” metallic cartridge)
Caliber: .32 Teat-Fire
Capacity: 6 shots
Barrel Length: Approx. 3 – 3½ inches (typical)
Finish: Silver-plated brass frame; blued steel barrel and cylinder; walnut grips

Condition:

• Frame silver plate thinning, revealing brass base; engraved scroll pattern typical of factory finish.
• Barrel and cylinder originally blued, now aged to a gun-metal gray patina.
• Right-side hook extractor present and functional.
• Cylinder engraved with patent markings: “D. WILLIAMSON’S PATENT JUNE 5 – MAY 17 1864.”
• Top barrel flat marked: “NATIONAL ARMS CO. BROOKLYN N.Y.”
• Walnut grips excellent with light handling marks and minor varnish thinning.
• Mechanically excellent — proper half-cock and full-cock operation; good timing and lock-up.

Historical Background
Daniel Moore developed the innovative teat-fire cartridge, designed to bypass the Rollin White bored-through-cylinder patent held by Smith & Wesson.

• The “teat-fire” cartridge was an innovative front-loading metallic cartridge designed by Daniel Moore (with David Williamson involvement) to work around the Rollin White patent (which restricted bored-through cylinders for rear-loaded metallic cartridges). The teat had a small protuberance filled with priming; the hammer struck the teat to ignite the cartridge. These designs were popular during the U.S. Civil War era.
• Moore’s Patent Fire Arms developed the teat-fire pocket revolver in the 1860s. Production continued under both Moore and the National Arms Company (Brooklyn, NY); sources indicate production from roughly 1864–1870. National Arms later was absorbed by larger firms (Colt purchased assets later in the era). Approximately ~30,000 Moore/National teat-fire revolvers were produced overall;  of those, about 7,000 examples carried the “NATIONAL” barrel marking and the right-side hooked extractor 
• Patents: Cylinder/teat design commonly bears a Williamson patent marking (1864)

The cartridge was inserted from the front of the cylinder, with a small “teat” containing the primer extending through the rear.
David Williamson’s 1864 patent refined the system.
The National Arms Company of Brooklyn produced these revolvers from about 1864 to 1870, marketing them as compact personal-defense arms during and after the U.S. Civil War.
When National Arms was later absorbed by Colt’s Patent Fire-Arms Mfg. Co., the design was discontinued in favor of Colt’s own metallic-cartridge pocket revolvers.
 

• Rarity: The National Arms Co.-marked examples with the right-side hook extractor number roughly 7,000, making them scarcer than earlier Moore-marked pieces.
• Condition: Silver-plate wear and bluing loss are typical; smooth patina and complete mechanical function make this a desirable, honest example.
• Matching serial numbers (frame, barrel, cylinder, grips) enhance collector value.
• Ammunition: Obsolete .32 teat-fire; do not fire with modern substitutes.
• Estimated market range (general reference): Low hundreds for average examples to over $1,000 + for high-condition or rare-variant specimens, depending on finish and completeness.

As a collector's piece,  Moore’s Patent Firearms Co. Front loading Revolver,  holds historical significance due to its association with an influential figure in American firearms history and its representation of mid-19th-century firearm design and innovation. Its unique markings and features make it a desirable item for enthusiasts of antique firearms and collectors of historical artifacts.  This gun is an Antique and ships direct to the buyer with FREE SHIPPING INCLUDED
Payment can be made with a personal check, money order, Venmo , Cash App or Zelle .  Gun Tab is also available for credit card purchases upon check out. 





 

Antique: Yes
Manufacturer: Moore’s patent
Model: National Arms
Serial Number: 27746
Barrel Length: 3

Price: $499.00
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