RARE Antique JAMES REID Model 4 DUAL IGNITION Percussion/Rimfire Revolver CIVIL WAR Era New York WILD WEST Hideout Revolver

Description:
RARE Antique JAMES REID Model 4 DUAL IGNITION Percussion/Rimfire Revolver 

CIVIL WAR Era New York WILD WEST Hideout Revolver

Here Ancestry Guns presents an antique James Reid Manufactory Model 4 Dual Ignition Spur Trigger Revolver, manufactured New York City, New York. This is a fascinating Civil War-era revolver manufactured from 1863-65 with a total production of only 1,070 examples, which were serialized from 2,230 to 3,500.  This example is in the 3,300 range.  The barrel is marked “J. REID N.Y. CITY/PATD, APL 28. 1863”.  This is one of the few revolvers you'll ever see that was designed to work as both a cartridge and a percussion revolver. While James Reid is well known by collectors for his distinctive Knuckle Duster style pocket revolvers of the 1870's and 80's, his early work in New York City from 1861 to 1865 reveals a man of substantial knowledge and mechanical intellect in spite of only being in his early to mid-thirties. Born in Belfast, Ireland, Reid was trained as a gunsmith in Glasgow, Scotland, and then migrated to the United States where he first set up shop in New York City.

This early Reid gun is one of the few revolvers that appears to have successfully circumvented the Rollin White patent for bored-through cylinders by adding a few threads at the back of each chamber. Technically, and more importantly in the eyes of the law, this exempted Reid's design from being a "bored-through cylinder”. This clever design was marketed as a .31 caliber percussion revolver with the rear portion of the chambers in the cylinder threaded (instead of bored smooth) to accommodate percussion nipples which screwed into the back of each chamber. There was even a traditional percussion-style loading lever mounted underneath the barrel. However, if the percussion nipples were removed, the revolver could be loaded with standard .32 rimfire cartridges, which were the same as the Smith and Wesson No. 2 Army Revolver. The simplicity of Reid's design not only allowed it to get around S&W's patent, it even used the same ammunition as the Smith & Wesson.

If cartridges weren't available, it could quickly be converted back to a percussion weapon by re-installing the nipples. For a Civil War-era soldier marching through enemy territory with sometimes shaky supply lines, having a gun that could fire water-tight rimfire cartridges but still fall back on traditional powder and ball should the former be depleted.

The overall condition is good. Strong action. Good bore for its age. This example shows an original mixed gray and brown patina. Markings are clear and legible. Both grips are solid with average handling evidence. The right grip has two thin stable cracks, one at the top and one on the butt.

This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.

Barrel is 4 inches.

Caliber: .31 Percussion or .32 Rimfire

Overall condition as seen in photos.

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$2000

#262017
 

Antique: Yes

Price: $2,000.00
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