The pistol is in exceptional condition and rates near excellent. It is complete and all original, with close to 80 percent finish, crisp numbers and lettering, and unmarred wood grips with good color, surface, tight fit, and good edges. The barrel assembly shows some rubbing to the blue on the flats and along the edges and some fine scratches or striations to the rear, near the cylinder, which is typical of many Moores since that is a normal place to hold it when swinging out the barrel assembly and chamber to load or reload it. The removable ejector rod under the barrel and the hammer match well, as does the cylinder, which shows scattered dark spots and a faint drag line. The screw heads on the frame show strong blue. The silvering is wonderful and the engraving is sharp is sharp on the frame, tiggerguard, grip, butt, and back straps.

This is serial numbered “2834” on the underside of the forward frame. The 4-inch barrel has a good bore and the early barrel address reading, “D. MOORE. PATENT. SEPT. 18. 1860” correctly lacking the Smith and Wesson marking applied after Moore lost the patent infringement lawsuit that ended production. The mechanics are excellent.

Chambering seven waterproof, self-contained, rimfire .32 caliber cartridges, the Moore was a popular privately purchased revolver in the Civil War with production estimated at 5,000 to 8,000 guns from 1861 to 1863. The revolver features a swing-out cylinder and barrel assembly for ease of reloading with a removable ejector rod mounted under the barrel. A floral-scroll engraved, silvered brass frame and grip straps were a standard and attractive feature. The barrel and cylinder were blued. The grips were walnut.  Moore lost a patent-infringement lawsuit by Smith and Wesson, who had acquired Rollin White’s inadvertent patent on bored-through cylinders, resulting in the cessation of production and application of a stamp mentioning Smith and Wesson to his inventory. These revolvers hold seven rounds rather than six, offering something of an advantage and the .32 caliber was sufficient for close-in personal defense, and at least a sense of satisfaction at longer ranges.  [sr] [ph:m]

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