[elephant_man]

Does anyone know who made a small .32 caliber 5-shot break top? On the top of the barrel reads "National Arms Co. N Y, USA". No other writing, except serial numbers in the 20,000's.

From what I've been able to find out was that National Arms Co. made a front loading cartridge revolver during the civil war until they were bought by Colt in the 1870's and they only made derringers after that? And some guys called Crescent also made shotguns under the name National Arms Co....

So who made this? I can't find any other info on this National Arms Co.

Here's the only good pictures I was able to take :scrutiny: :

http://thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=45210&stc=1&d=1158901033
http://thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=45211&stc=1&d=1158901033

I thought it might help to take a picture of the trigger since I've noticed various break-top triggers look completely different.

thanks!

[Jim K]

I can't find anything on that revolver, either. It looks pretty typical of the inexpensive break top revolver of the era. In that period (roughly 1880 to 1920) so many guns were made by so many companies under so many names that I doubt any definitive research will or can ever be done.

Jim

[JohnBT]

Beats me, I only know the little bit Google turned up. Did find this though...

www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976511028.htm

http://www.adamsguns.com/849.jpg

"National Arms Company, New York USA Factory cutaway revolver. This is an unusual maker bought by Colt in 1870! It has an unusual enclosed hammer design with floating firing pin. Clearly a factory cutaway (possiblly a salesman's sample), it was made from a new, unfired revolver. Mint bore, and in fine condition with most of the blue. It has nicks and dings as would be expected of a salesman's sample. It has no mainspring to prevent it from being fired. Could this have been a proposed Colt model? Please visit my website for additional guns!" - $395

[Harleystooge]

I recently purchased a .32 cal Revolver made by National Arms. It has a hammer, external. Other than that, it's just like yours. It too has NATIONAL ARMS CO. N.Y. USA on the barrel, and a later serial number, 151676. Could it be that Colt kept using the National name after the takeover? Producing .32 Top breaks as well as the .41 Derringers? If so, I wonder how long? The one I have is in excellent shape so I wonder about it's age. Any Idea?

[Ron James]

I can find nothing in any of my Colt books that show Colt continued to manufacture the National revolver after take over. They brought the company for other reasons.

[Harleystooge]

Now I'm Really curious! Were there so many .32 breaktop manufacturers that the name was Re-used by another N.Y. firm without Colt's notice? They, maybe didn't care? Now I'm back to square one to find it's age. They weren't being made in 1870 were they? I thought that was when they were first made.

[Ron James]

My reference show the National Firearm Co. Making 30000 revolvers from 1866, when they became succesors to Moore Firearm Co., and 1870 when they were purchased by Colt.

[SDC]

The National Arms Company was the successor to the Moore's Patent Fire Arms Company, and they were only in business from ~1865 to ~1870, when Colt bought them out. But, there have been OTHER "National Arms Companies" in the gun business as well, and Meriden and Pieper also sold guns under that trade name.

[Ron James]

This name was also used by H&D Folsom, a very large sporting goods distributor. Flaydermans states that the barrels of the National Arms Co. were marked " National Arms Co., Brooklyn, N.Y. is yours?

[Jim K]

The original Moore patent revolver was what is called a "teat fire." One of the several methods employed to circumvent the Rollin White patent for a bored-through revolver chamber (assigned to S&W), the Moore cartridge had a round (or flat) protuberance containing the priming sticking out the rear of the cartridge, hence the appropriate nickname "teat fire." The cartridge loaded from the front. When seated, the "teat" stuck out through a small hole in the rear of the cylinder where it lay on the top of the ratchet. A downward striking hammer mashed the "teat", firing the cartridge. It sounds odd, but the revolvers were fairly common and the ammunition was made for a number of years.

Today, the guns go for around $600-800 depending on condition, but the ammo is almost unobtainable.

Jim

[Harleystooge]

This gun is NOT a "teat fire". It only sais NATIONAL ARMS N.Y.USA on top of the barrel, nothing about Brooklyn. I know it's not teat fire 'cause it has the rear ejector common to top break revolvers, and an enslosed trigger guard. Early teat fire revolvers had an open trigger, like many Derringers.

[Harleystooge]

I'm gonna try to load up a piture of it. Nope, that didn't work.

[Mizzu]

My mom gave me one of these when I was 7 or 8 to play with as it was broken. I had it for years and luckily never came by any ammo that would fit into the cylinder as it would not lock into alignment with the barrel. I will pick it up this weekend and post a pick. thanks for the memories....:D

[Harleystooge]

I've managed to upload a picture of the pistol on the Revolver Pics thread in the Revolver section, last page (for now), with my Colt Navy replica. Won't let me post it twice.:rolleyes:

[Moore's]

I have just read all the posts for this question, the Moore's Patent Firearms Company, Brooklyn New York and operated from approx. 1860-1866 selling .32 cal pistol that many Union Army Officers preferred to carry. He partnered with another man then the company changed the name to National Arms company, then National sold out to Colt in 1869. I am great great granddaughter of Daniel Slocom Moore (d. 1901) who sold his National Arms Co. to Colt.

[Average Joe]

Here's a new twist. I have the same pistol , but mine is in .38 cal. It also has the National Arms , NY stamping. Its a center fire, I also have a box of bullets in the original box. I don't know anything about this pistol, its been handed down many generations.

[GIT-SUM]

I also have one of these pistols. I was wandering is there anyone that makes parts for them anymore.

[JBDog4]

I too have this gun in 38 caliber with pearl handles and in nice condition. It has a 138xxx s/n. I am assuming this could be sold on Gun Broker as an antique. I was looking to get as much info on it as I could to determine a price. So far this thread has given me the most info. If anyone has any written info please let me know. Thanks

[pdrichardson]

I have found same handgun has 10824 on butt. Still no usefull info. Any idea how to find year made? Value?

[merikxv11@yahoo.com]

has anyone figured out what it is?

[caesars]

hello so your the great great grand daughter of daniel moore. it would be an honor to chat with you im a great fan of mr moore. i have quite a few of his 32 rim fire 7 shot belt revolvers. they are great. and they are very special. they got officers names on them they are a great revolver to shoot as well.

[Jim Watson]

The illustrated top break is a later gun than the Moore patent guns discussed.
One source lists National Arms Co. as a brand name used by H&D Folsom.

[geo_jay]

I believe I can assist with the identification of this "National Arms Co., NY USA" revolver. The descriptions and photos suggest this revolver was manufactured by the Meriden Arms Co., of Meriden, CT, some time between 1905 and 1918. The original National Arms Company apparently ceased operations in the late 1800's, after being purchased by Colt, and did not manufacture a top break revolver.

From what I've read online, here's some of what I know about Meriden. They were owned, either in part or whole, by Sears and Roebuck, and manufactured shotguns and small revolvers. Their products were considered well-made at the time, however, the revolvers may have been made of malleable iron with soft metal internal parts, which may not hold up particularly well over time.

At the time, both Meriden and Sears (and other manufacturers supplying to Sears) were stamping firearms with several trade names, and National Arms Co. may have been one of those name used.

Two distinguishing characteristics of Meriden revolvers: Mushroom-shaped front sight and blank circle emblem at top of grips.

I realize I'm posting to an older thread, and hope this information is helpful. If someone finds any of this information in error, please post.

[Chow]

I believe you can find parts at NUMERICH Gun parts
http://www.gunpartscorp.com/

[Rustyanode]

I just found this post on a search for National Arms company. I have the exact same model which was once my grandfathers. I know he purchased his around 1915 when he arrived in New York. Serial number is in the 300,000's. Thanks all for the information.

[svt98ryan]

i am new to the forum and have just begun my info search on a national arm 32 as well. recently my grandfather passed and all that was known was that it was actually his fathers gun. guess my grandfather told all the older grandchildren it was just a relic and unsafe to shoot, so it just sat in the gun cabinet and kind of got forgotten. i will have to post pictures once i take some. my guess is it is a meriden as it has the circle at the top of the grip. would love to find a build date for this. i have seen several other posts on other forums and people have all had "high" serial numbers compared to mine. beyond the manufactures name the only numbers on it are 1055 at the base of the grip and 775 on the cylinder. would love to find out more of this piece of family history

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i314/svt98ryan/IMG00162-20101129-2113.jpg

[kyleca]

I just inherited this gun (.32 cal) from my father who apparently bought it at a local (Indiana) auction for $40 in 1999. I do not collect guns. Does anyone have an idea of the value of a gun like this? It appears to me to be in very good condition.