Description
The Manhattan Firearms Company of Newark, New Jersey began manufacturing their .36-caliber revolvers in 1859, which means they had come up with a “pocket Navy” revolver 3 years before Colt. Manhattans had a better safety system than Colts, with extra cylinder stops that secured the cylinder in a safe position between caps. Their blade-style front sights were not as prone to wearing down and shooting as high as Colts’ bead-style front sights.
This example was manufactured in mid-1862 and is in fine original condition overall. It retains 65%+ original blue, a full and crisp cylinder scene and all markings are crisp, sharp and clear. Mechanically, it functions like NEW! The bore is flawless as well.
The varnished grips retain 95%+ original finish and the backstrap and triggerguard retain 50% +/- original light silverplate wash. This compact .36 caliber revolver carried the same powder charge as a full frame Navy type revolver making it incredibly powerful as well as accurate. The cylinder holds five (5) rounds and all parts are original to the weapon and are matching.
These revolvers were incredibly popular in the field during the Civil War and were a powerful rendition of the famed Colt M1849 Pocket series, chambered in .31 caliber.
Fresh from an estate sale in Ohio, this fine weapon has a family history of being carried by an Ohio soldier, Benjamin H. Wile, who served in the 16th Ohio Volunteer Infantry 1862-1864. Numerous original documents accompany the pistol including Civil War reunion ribbons, a GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) lapel pin, pension papers and a newspaper clipping.
Name Benjamin H. Wile
Side Union
Regiment State/Origin Ohio
Regiment 16th Regiment, Ohio Infantry
Company F
Rank In Private
Rank Out Corporal
Alternate Name Benjamin/Wile
Film Number M552 roll 117
Name Benjamin H Wile
Enlistment Age 21
Birth Date abt 1841
Enlistment Date 16 Aug 1862
Enlistment Rank Private
Muster Date 16 Aug 1862
Muster Place Ohio
Muster Company F
Muster Regiment 16th Infantry
Muster Regiment Type Infantry
Muster Information Enlisted
Muster Out Date 6 Oct 1864
Muster Out Information Transferred
Side of War Union
Survived War? Yes
Additional Notes 2 Muster 2 Date: 06 Oct 1864; Muster 2 Place: Ohio; Muster 2 Regiment: 114th Infantry; Muster 2 Regiment Type: Infantry; Muster 2 Information: Transferred
Title Official Roster of the Soldiers of the State of Ohio
—
16th Regiment, Ohio Infantry
OVERVIEW:
Organized at Camp Tiffin, Wooster Camp Chase, and Zanesville, Ohio, September 23-December 2, 1861. Moved to Camp Dennison, Ohio, November 28, thence to Lexington, Ky., December 19. Moved to Somerset, Ky., January 12, 1862. Attached to 12th Brigade, Army Ohio, to March, 1862. 26th Brigade, 7th Division, Army Ohio, to October, 1862. 4th Brigade, Cumberland Gap Division, District of West Virginia, Dept. Ohio to November, 1862. 3rd Brigade, 9th Division, Right Wing, 13th Army Corps, (Old), Dept. of the Tennessee, to December, 1862. 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, Sherman’s Yazoo Expedition, to January, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 9th Division, 13th Army Corps, Dept. Tennessee, to August, 1863, and Dept. of the Gulf to September, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 13th Army Corps, Dept. of the Gulf, to March, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 13th Army Corps, to June, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 19th Army Corps, to October, 1864.
SERVICE:
March to support of Gen. Thomas at battle of Mill Springs, Ky., January 18-20, 1862. Duty at Somerset till January 31. March to London, thence to Cumberland Ford January 31-February 12, repairing and rebuilding roads. Reconnoissance toward Cumberland Gap March 21-23. Skirmish at Elrod’s Ridge March 22. Cumberland Gap Campaign March 28-June 18. Cumberland Mountain April 28. Cumberland Gap April 29. Occupation of Cumberland Gap June 18-September 15. Action at Wilson’s Gap June 18. Tazewell July 26 and August 6. Operations about Cumberland Gap September 2-6. Evacuation of Cumberland Gap and retreat to the Ohio River September 17-October 3. Action at West Liberty September 26. Expedition to Charleston, W. Va., October 21-November 10. Ordered to Memphis, Tenn., November 10. Sherman’s Yazoo Expedition December 20, 1862, to January 3, 1863. Chickasaw Bayou December 26-28, 1862. Chickasaw Bluffs December 29. Expedition to Arkansas Post, Ark., January 3-10, 1863. Assault and capture of Fort Hindman, Arkansas Post, January 10-11. Moved to Young’s Point, La., January 15, thence to Milliken’s Bend March 8. Operations from Milliken’s Bend to New Carthage March 31-April 17. Movement on Bruinsburg and turning Grand Gulf April 25-30. Battle of Thompson’s Hill, Grand Gulf, May 1. Battle of Champion’s Hill May 16. Big Black River May 17. Siege of Vicksburg, Miss., May 18-July 4. Assaults on Vicksburg May 19 and 22. Advance on Jackson, Miss., July 5-10. Near Clinton July 8. Siege of Jackson July 10-17. Ordered to New Orleans, La., August 13, and duty there till September 6. At Brashear City till October 3. Western Louisiana Campaign October 3-November 18. Moved to DeCrow Point, Matagorda Bay, Texas, November 18-28, and duty there till January, 1864, and at Matagorda Island till April. Moved to New Orleans, La., April 18, thence to Alexandria, La., April 23. Red River Campaign April 26-May 22. Construction of dam at Alexandria April 30-May 10. Graham’s Plantation April 5. Retreat to Morganza May 13-20. Mansura May 16. Expedition to the Atchafalaya May 30-June 6. Duty at Morganza till October. Ordered to Columbus, Ohio, October 6. Recruits transferred to 114th Ohio Infantry. Regiment mustered out October 31, 1864, expiration of term.
The regiment lost during service 2 Officers and 63 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 4 Officers and 217 Enlisted men by disease. Total 286.
