OK, I have recenty come into posession of an antique firearm. The problem is that I have NO idea how to identify it. I know that it's a .36 caliber 6-shot 12 stop Manhattan arms revolver. The odd thing is that the serial number is WAAAAY lower than any of the similar pistols I've seen on the net. The pistols I've seen are in the 10,000-50,000 serial number range. Mine is serial 982. That's quite a difference, if you ask me. If you like I can post pictures if anyone thinks it will help, or if you're just plain interested.

I know I could drive it to a dealer somewhere in town, but as I've had no experience whatsoever in this, I was hoping for some advise on where to look on the net. Besides, I'm lazy.

Oh, and all the serials are matching, of course.

Barrel reads: Manhattan Fire Arms Co. Newark, N.J.
Patanted March 8, 1864

Cylindar reads: PATENTLL December 27, 1859

(not a typo, it really says "PATENTLL")

Hey, I hope you don't mind, I posted your question on this gun board. These guys know their [censored].

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=221098&page=1

and promply answered with this. frankly, am i the only one disturbed that d33zY has over 200 posts on that other forum?

Disturbed? No. Surprised? No. Expected? Yes. But hey, everyone has a hobby right?

Did that guy really use the term "WoNA"? Am I correct in assuming he is referring to the US Civil War using an abbreviation for "War of Northern Aggression"?

That's creepy.

Of course I don't mind. That was precisely what I was looking for. Thank you. It seems the most valuable of the guns I recieved this Christmas would be the 1968 Winchester 30-30 Buffalo Bill Commemorative edition carbine and rifle matching set. New in box, never fired, with consecutive serial numbers. Beautiful guns.

Oh and one guy replied,

Not sure about the serial but it could not be the orginal gripframe as alot of those old guns had parts swapped back and forth.

I am quite sure it IS the original gripframe as ALL the serial numbers match as is evidenced here: