Manhattan .22 caliber Cartridge Pistols - 1
| The Rollin White Patent and metallic cartridge revolvers brought about the demise of percussion-style pistols. The era of modern cartridges had begun. |
| HOW IT BEGAN Introduced in 1857, The Smith & Wesson Model One became the first revolver to use self-contained metallic cartridges. It was so revolutionary that several other gun makers soon illegally copied the S&W format. Manhattan Fire Arms Company's .22 caliber pistol appeared in late 1859. All of these fired .22 caliber short rimfire cartridges. Simply stated, the Rollin White patent was for a bored-through cylinder. Into these the metallic cartridges were placed in chambers. THE CARTRIDGE Each cartridge contained a primer composition in the base for ignition when contacted by the hammer, the powder charge, wax or tallow above the powder to weatherproof it, and then the lead bullet. |
| EFFECTS OF THE LAWSUIT The Manhattan Fire Arms Company was able to produce its .22 caliber pistols from 1859 until production was ended in the fall of 1862 as a result of a lawsuit brought by Smith & Wesson. The decision was rendered by Chief Justice Roger B. Taney in October of that year. Manhattan and the other illegal competitors would have to wait until the Rollin White patent expired on April 3, 1869 |
The First Model of the Manhattan .22 caliber
was manufactured from 1859 to 1861 and was
issued in four subtle variations. (In 1862 a
short-lived Second Model was manufactured
until the fall of 1862, yet would reappear eight
years later.) The photographs below will show
the differences in the First Model .22 caliber
Manhattan revolvers.
was manufactured from 1859 to 1861 and was
issued in four subtle variations. (In 1862 a
short-lived Second Model was manufactured
until the fall of 1862, yet would reappear eight
years later.) The photographs below will show
the differences in the First Model .22 caliber
Manhattan revolvers.
The First Model, First Variation was the only
Manhattan .22 to have a brass frame and an
iron side plate. The side plate is the round
plate above the trigger. Serial numbers were 1
to approximately 1600.
The First Model, Second Variation had an iron
frame and brass side plate and were serial
numbered 1600 to 4800 approximately.
The First Model, Third Variation is identifiable
by a change in the shape of the hammer spur
which has a greater downward angle. Serial
numbers range from 4800 to more than 7000.
The First Model, Fourth Variation possesses a
barrel latch redesign that does not overlap the
frame as far as it did in the first three
variations. Manhattan may have changed this
design to avoid copyright infringement on yet
another Smith & Wesson patent. Serial
numbers run from over 7000 to possibly a bit
over 9000.
Manhattan .22 to have a brass frame and an
iron side plate. The side plate is the round
plate above the trigger. Serial numbers were 1
to approximately 1600.
The First Model, Second Variation had an iron
frame and brass side plate and were serial
numbered 1600 to 4800 approximately.
The First Model, Third Variation is identifiable
by a change in the shape of the hammer spur
which has a greater downward angle. Serial
numbers range from 4800 to more than 7000.
The First Model, Fourth Variation possesses a
barrel latch redesign that does not overlap the
frame as far as it did in the first three
variations. Manhattan may have changed this
design to avoid copyright infringement on yet
another Smith & Wesson patent. Serial
numbers run from over 7000 to possibly a bit
over 9000.