Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.
If you have questions please email firearms@jamesdjulia.com.
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1140
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$18,400.00 |
*RARE COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY SHERIFF’S MODEL WITH TEXAS HISTORY.SN 305412. Cal 45. This fine Colt Single Action Army has factory letter stating its rare configuration as Sheriff’s Model. Shipped September 28, 1910 to H. L. Dyer (address not listed), though sold to Hibbard, Spencer Bartlett Co, Chicago. Cal is listed as 45 with 4″ bbl, blue finish. H. L. Dyer was a hardware dealer in Richmond, Ft. Bend County, TX. Gun appears fine and “as found”. All orig with matching SNs found on frame, trigger guard and backstrap. Last 4 digits of SN are also found inside each of the orig hard rubber Colt medallion grips. This is a rare found fine example of a Colt Single Action Sheriff’s Model with factory letter. PROVENANCE: Ex-Bruce Bartlett. CONDITION: Fine overall. Bbl and cyl retain 40-50% thinning bright blue finish. Backstrap and trigger guard retain about 20% thinning blue finish. Traces of case color are found on frame and hammer, thought mostly grey with pinprick pitting on right side. Grips are in fine matching condition, well fit with left side losing some of its color to a dark olive/brown. Mechanically gun functions well with crisp bright bore and cyl chambers which still retain blue finish. 50412-31 (20,000-40,000) C&R – Lot 1140 Click here to view provenance |
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1199
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$57,500.00 |
VERY RARE CONFEDERATE OCTAGON BARREL DANCE DRAGOON REVOLVER CARRIED BY CORP. JOHN HARGRAVE, WHITFIELD’S TEXAS LEGION, FROM DIRECT FAMILY DESCENT.NSN. Cal. 44. The six-shot percussion revolver produced by Dance is readily recognizable by its flat frame, rather than the Colt’s rounded recoil shield. Dance revolvers are extremely well made, comparing very favorably with Colt products, and generally exhibiting higher quality workmanship than their both CS and Colt counterparts. James Henry Dance and his three brothers, Perry, David and Isaac, settled in a small town directly south of Houston, Texas, called Columbia, which was located on the banks of the Brazos River. It was the year 1853. The original Dance family, having migrated from Virginia to North Carolina, then Alabama, finally chose Texas as the home for their manufacturing talents. The Dance Brothers machine shop was converted to a revolver manufactory at the outset of the Civil War, and while all four brothers enlisted in the 35th Texas Cavalry, only 1st Lieutenant James Henry Dance remained on active duty, the other brothers being detailed back to the Dance pistol factory for the duration of the war, where they made pistols for the Confederacy. Of the known authentic 104 Dance pistols that survived, 90 are 44 caliber Dragoons; only five of these have full octagonal barrels, the four other substantiated guns with full oct bbls are SN’s 121, 164, 172 and 247 and all had higher grade finish and this example has better grade grips retaining traces of original varnish. This is the only octagonal barrel Dance cryptically marked. Gun is orig and complete, all matching with the cryptic serial <><><><> found on bbl, loading arm, frame, hammer, trigger-guard, and backstrap. Overall edges are sharp. Action is tight and crisp. Five other known cryptically numbered examples are <>, <><>, <><><>, OO, and O<>O, This gun by NRA standards grades good to very good. By Confederate standards this gun is quite fine. Dance revolvers saw hard Confederate use, and Texans who carried these knew where they were made and were proud to carry them. This gun has been in the Hargrave/Hamby family ever since. There is an accompanying copy of a 1964 published family history showing history of the first Hargrave’s dating back to American Revolution including Ezekiel Hargrave who served with the 4th Carolina regiment under George Washington at the Battle of Trenton, NJ. John Howard Hargrave was grandson of Ezekiel, born in 1840 in Indiana moving to Hancock County Texas with his family in 1843. John Hargrave enlisted February 1, 1862 in Whitfield’s Texas cavalry, a hard fighting unit that saw service first with Sterling Price in the Army of the West, later with Van Dorn in Mississippi and Tennessee, then Sol Ross in Atlanta campaigns and finally with N. B. Forrest’s cavalry near war’s end. Whitfield’s Texas Legion is known to have been in over 80 actions, skirmishes and battles as found on “Handbook of Texas Online” compiled by Ron Brothers. This is a rare and exemplary example of Dance revolver carried by Texas cavalryman who served in one of the hardest fighting Texas units in the Confederacy. Of the known authentic 104 Dance pistols that survived, 90 are 44 caliber Dragoons; only five of these have full octagonal barrels, the four other substantiated guns with full oct bbls are SN’s 121, 164, 172 and 247 and all had higher grade finish and this example has better grade grips retaining traces of original varnish. This is the only octagonal barrel Dance cryptically marked. Gun is orig and complete, all matching with the cryptic serial <><><><> found on bbl, loading arm, frame, hammer, trigger-guard, and backstrap. Overall edges are sharp. Action is tight and crisp. Other known cryptically numbered examples are <>, XXXXXXXXXXXXX This gun by NRA standards grades good to very good. By Confederate standards this gun is quite fine. Dance revolvers saw hard Confederate use, and Texans who carried these knew where they were made and were proud to carry them. This gun has been in the Hargrave/Hamby family ever since. There is an accompanying copy of a 1964 published family history showing history of the first Hargrave’s dating back to American Revolution including Ezekiel Hargrave who served with the 4th Carolina regiment under George Washington at the Battle of Trenton, NJ. John Howard Hargrave was grandson of Ezekiel, born in 1840 in Indiana moving to Hancock County Texas with his family in 1843. John Hargrave enlisted February 1, 1862 in Whitfield’s Texas cavalry, a hard fighting unit that saw service first with Sterling Price in the Army of the West, later with Van Dorn in Mississippi and Tennessee, then Sol Ross in Atlanta campaigns and finally with N. B. Forrest’s cavalry near war’s end. Whitfield’s Texas Legion is known to have been in over 80 actions, skirmishes and battles as found on “Handbook of Texas Online” compiled by Ron Brothers. This is a rare and exemplary example of Dance revolver carried by Texas cavalryman who served in one of the hardest fighting Texas units in the Confederacy. PROVENANCE: John Howard Hargrave, 1863-1920; ………… Curtis Hamby (1893-1951); Curtis Edwin Hamby (1930-2006); Katheryn Hamby. CONDITION: Gun appears to be orig and authentic in every regard and is much above average of most encountered specimens. With the exception of two screws replaced, gun appears as manufactured. Several other screws are buggered but all function. Cryptics are all well struck and fully discernible. Cryptic assembly markings appear internally also on left side trigger guard under grips. Brass backstrap & trigger guard have mustard colored patina. Original one-piece walnut grips are well fit with edge wear retaining traces of original varnish. Iron surfaces of gun are dark grey/brown with patina and scattered pitting overall. There is a chip on bottom left barrel housing over corresponding frame been. There is hairline crack on left side of frame which is seen on a few other Dances and small casting flaws noted on trigger guard also occasionally seen on other Dance Revolvers Mechanically functional with crisp well-defined rifling in bore. All-in-all this is among the best identified Dance Dragoons extant. 51728-1 JGS (50,000-70,000) – Lot 1199 | Click here to view provenance |
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1200
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$46,000.00 |
VERY FINE & RARE CONFEDERATE DANCE REVOLVER.SN 243. Cal. 44. James Henry Dance and his brothers, originally members of the 35th Texas Cavalry, somehow were allowed to have detached service making revolvers in Columbia, TX, later moving in December of 1863 to Anderson, TX when the operation was sold to the Confederate government. These Dance dragoons are copies of Colt Model 1848 dragoon pistols popular in Texas frontier prior to war. Of the approximate 100 Dance pistols that survive, about 85 are 44 Cal. SN 243 is found on all major parts including bbl, left side of loading arm, cylinder, frame, hammer, wedge, trigger guard and backstrap. Overall edges are sharp. Action is tight and functional. This gun by NRA standards grades good-very good. By Confederate standards this gun is quite fine with crisp edges, traces of finish and well defined bore. Dance revolvers saw hard Confederate use, mostly in the Western and Trans-Mississippi theaters of the war. Any Texas Confederate soldier would be proud to carry a Texas made revolver of the highest quality. Gun appears to be orig and authentic as used and is above average of most encountered specimens. All screws, cones, sights and internal parts appear orig, even though the wedge screw and latch appear as war time modifications. This is a beautiful gun that surfaced in an estate sale in Houston, TX in 2003, and at that time became the 82nd known Dance dragoon. Texan collectors have kept lists of Dance revolvers since the 1940’s and the survival and history of this manufacturer is better known than any other Confederate arms maker. PROVENANCE: Houston Texas Estate, 2003; Mike Clark, Houston, TX, 2003; Lifetime Collection of Dr. Zack Catterton, 2003. CONDITION: Gun is overall very good, complete and orig with only repair noted of the bbl latch which appears orig to revolver’s time of use along with contemporary wedge screw, both have matching patina and surface to rest of gun. Iron surfaces are overall mottled brown/grey with tiny traces of finish in protected areas with scattered staining and pitting. SNs are all crisp & well-defined. Cylinder retains 5 partial safety pins with crisp, well-defined perimeter line at front edge. Gun does appear “as found” with no restoration since the Civil War. There is a break in the trigger bow and there is a cracked break right ear of backstrap that do not affect aesthetics. Mechanically gun has good action and crisp rifling in bore. Grips are very good, well fit with considerable edge wear and some erosion on left side exhibiting good hand worn patina. Letters of authenticity accompany, one from noted Confederate revolver expert, Fred Edmunds. 51566-4 JS (40,000-60,000) – Lot 1200 Click here to view provenance |
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1201
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$22,425.00 |
RARE CONFEDERATE DANCE DRAGOON REVOLVER HIGHEST SERIAL NUMBER KNOWN OF COMPLETE AND FUNCTIONAL REVOLVER FOUND IN COLUMBIA, TEXAS AT THE DANCE FACTORY LOCATION.SN 332. Cal. 44. This gun has an intriguing history descending in the family of a WWII ace who told his son stories of this gun being found at the factory site. SN “332” is found on bbl, loading assembly, frame, cylinder and hammer. The gun was obviously in a fire and has been restored prior to 1950 to fire-able condition with addition of trigger guard, new cones and safety pins added to cylinder and refitted with an old pair of wood grips which have correct profile to Dance. Ironically, the trigger guard is virtually identical to an unfinished excavated example pictured on pg 135 of Gary Wiggins text Dance & Brothers Texas Gun Makers to the Confederacy. The iron backstrap, which has no SN, also has same burned appearance of other orig iron parts is indeed orig and only a few Dances are know with this feature (SNs 247, 317 & 333). SN “333” (consecutive SN) which was excavated near East Columbia, Texas with portions of its orig iron backstrap is pictured on pg 125 of Wiggins text. This gun has been retained in the Forster family and was remembered by the son in the 1950’s along with the accompanying side knife which is well made, utilizing an eagle head sword hilt, transformed into a great Bowie knife with 9-3/4″ blade, 2-1/2″ clip point, about-1-1/2″ wide. The scabbard is made from reused leather and appears mounted in WWI or WWII. As you will see in accompanying affidavit from Mr. Forster, his father told him this knife had “killed Yankees”, regardless, it is a well made side knife and there are other Civil War era side knives known that were reused by GI’s in the 20th Century. Accompanied by affidavit from owner. CONDITION: As noted, gun is functional with iron showing old fire scale and areas where melted brass trigger guard discolored areas, especially on backstrap and left side of frame. Most screws appear orig and metal surfaces have been cleaned and filed during restoration. Cones and safety pins as noted are replaced. Mechanically gun functions with well discerned rifling in bore. Accompanying side knife is very good as found, pommel is slightly loose. Top of bone grip is chipped. Remnants of gilt found on brass mounts. Blade is grey overall with old sharpening, staining and light pitting. The scabbard is sound, solid, fits knife well with crack in leather near tip of sewn piece. All in all, this is a very intriguing grouping with a wonderful side knife along with the highest SN is complete functioning conditions Dance revolver known. If this gun could only talk! 51692-1 JS (20,000-30,000) – Lot 1201 Click here to view provenance |
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1202
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$24,150.00 |
VERY RARE CONFEDERATE C.H. RIGDON AUGUSTA GEORGIA REVOLVER.SN 2154. Cal. 36. This is a very rare marking combination gun with only 3 specimens noted (SN 2180 and 2182 are the other examples). SN 2182 was sold as Lot #3364 on these floors in October, 2015. These Confederate contract revolvers instead of having just the normal “CSA” surcharge on one bbl flat, are marked on the three top flats of the part oct bbl housing “CH RIGDON”, “CSA” and “AUGUSTA GA” and as noted only 2 other examples are known. All major components of this gun appear original and matching SN “2154” appears on the loading arm, latch, bbl housing, frame, trigger guard, backstrap, cyl and penciled in backstrap channel of grips. PROVENANCE: Ex-Norm Flayderman Collection, 1988; Ex-Burney Crooke Collection; Ex-Gene Mathis Collection, 2006. CONDITION: Overall good to very good, with old cleaning by noted antique firearms restorer Jay Huber. Jay cleaned this gun for Norm Flayderman when in his collection. Metal surfaces are gray and smooth. SNs are still strong and easy to read however, bbl markings are weak, but mostly discernible however, as can be seen in photos. The wedge and arbor without grease grooves are not serialized and are replaced possibly at time of use as surfaces match gun. Grips are well fit with hand worn patina. Mechanically pistol functions well with crisp discernible rifling in bore. 50155-1 JS42 (25,000-35,000) – Lot 1202 |
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1203
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$0.00 |
FINE ORIGINAL RECENT DISCOVERY CONFEDERATE LEECH & RIGDON REVOLVER, SERIAL NUMBER 820 WITH ORIGINAL HOLSTER.SN 820. Cal. 36. This is newly discovered revolver from a Western estate that has not been seen in collectors market before. Family knows gun has always been in family and dates back to a great-great-uncle on mother’s side who came from battlefield to Nevada during the Gold Rush and it has been retained in the family ever since. There are 2 sets of initials on this gun which probably would identify the man who carried it ‘JSE” on butt and “HWE” inside grip strap. This revolver was made under contract from the Confederate States government in Greensboro, GA. in 1863. By NRA standards this revolver would grade good+ but is quite fine for a Confederate revolver. This example shows honest use, as does its fine orig holster. CONDITION: Very good overall, all matching. Everything normally SNd is numbered and numbers all discernible. Numbers are found on bbl, arbor, frame, trigger guard, backstrap, loading arm, latch, wedge, cylinder and penciled inside grips. Makers mark is especially crisp and discernible with a light rebound in “Rigdon” which is not uncommon. Metal is grey and smooth overall with scattered areas of staining and pitting. Stocks are sound and well fit with moderate edge wear, hand worn patina, ½” chip on left side. Good mechanics, clean, crisp bore with light pitting. 100% orig with exception of 4 properly conserved screws. Accompanying holster is a rare find and is in relatively fine condition overall, though missing closure tab and belt loop is resewn with rawhide as is top 2″ of closure, which truly appears to be alternations made when this gun was brought out west after the Civil War. 51029-1 JS (20,000-30,000) – Lot 1203 |
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1204
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$0.00 |
RARE CONFEDERATE RIGDON & ANSLEY REVOLVER, AUGUSTA, GEORGIA.SN 1786. Cal. 36. All SNs on this revolver are stamped with the correct small number dies. It is also to be noted that the number “1” is a broken die which became broken at pistol #1237, continuing to be used through the small-die run to R&A pistol #1900, or thereabouts. This gun has cryptic “W” stamped on left front web of trigger bow. Gun appears all orig with matching SNs “1786” that are found on bbl housing, latch, loading arm, frame, arbor, cylinder, backstrap, trigger guard and wedge. The grips are also SNd internally in the channel and have a “WH” (Wescom Hudgins) inspector’s cartouche. Top bbl flat is properly stamped “CSA”. Sometime in late November or early December of 1862, the firm of Leech & Rigdon, then located in Columbus, Mississippi, contracted with the Confederate Government to manufacture percussion revolvers of the Colt patent design, though contract was not signed for 1500 guns until firm settled in Greensboro, GA. With Union troops threatening the Columbus area, Leech & Rigdon moved its operation (its third move) to Greensboro, Georgia, where they began turning out revolvers in March of 1863. Approximately 1000 revolvers were produced at Greensboro, before it was again necessary to move because of Yankee pressure in the area. The Leech & Rigdon partnership split up in January of 1864, and Rigdon took all the gun-making machinery with him, moved to Augusta, Georgia (the fourth and last move) forming a new partnership with Jesse Ansley. Rigdon & Ansley assumed the responsibility of completing the orig Leech & Rigdon contract, by manufacturing the remaining 500 revolvers of that model, then going on with a new contract to furnish 1500 Rigdon & Ansley revolvers. While the Rigdon & Ansley revolvers were practically identical in design to the Leech & Rigdons, there were some changes made which were considered improvements at the time. The most obvious change was the addition of six (6) more cylinder stops on the Rigdon & Ansley, and the omission of the locking pins on the rear shoulders of the cylinder. This was thought to be a safety improvement in that it allowed the cylinder to be locked in place with the hammer resting between the percussion nipples. An additional change was the milling-out of a groove in the recoil shield, which now came to be called a “cap release groove”, which allowed spent percussion caps an easier exit from the frame, so that they were expelled via the groove at the right top side of the recoil shields as the cylinder rotated to the right in the firing and re-cocking procedure, after each round was fired. This “cap release groove” is found on this revolver along with the employment of a “Colt-type” loading lever latching assembly, rather than Leech & Rigdon ball and pin type catches. This is a pleasing example of Georgia made Rigdon & Ansley revolver with fine aesthetics, complete and orig. PROVENANCE: Ex-Clifford Young Collection, 1954; Ex-Fred Slaton Collection, 1960; Lifetime Collection of Dr. Zack Catterton. CONDITION: Very good overall, matching throughout, all major parts orig, the only discernible replacement is the wedge screw. Bbl retains tiny traces of orig blue finish with balance plum/brown with scattered nicks, dings, scratches and pinprick pitting. Frame and loading assembly have matching plum/brown color with pitting. Cylinder has rougher surface than rest of gun, grey/brown color with pitting, old cleaning and file marks, worn ratcheting and stops; SN is only partially discernible and may not actually match gun, though it does appear to be an orig Rigdon cylinder with correct partial SN dies. Front brass post sight is orig. Brass trigger guard and backstrap have yellow to dark mustard patina. Grips are sound and well fit with thin traces of orig varnish. Mechanically gun functions with well discerned rifling in bore. 51566-8 JS (20,000-30,000) – Lot 1204 |
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1205
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$28,750.00 |
EXTREMELY FINE CONFEDERATE 1ST MODEL GRISWOLD REVOLVER.SN 1218. Cal. 36. This most popular brass framed revolver was made by Samuel Griswold from converted cotton gin factory near Macon, Georgia. Confederate soldiers lucky enough to be issued a Confederate made “Colt” often wrote of their pride in ownership of such high Southern quality. Rare are these revolvers in high condition. This is a 1st Model Griswold revolver having rnd bbl housing being among the finest “as found” 100% orig, matching and authentic examples. This gun overall is in very good condition by NRA standards but extremely fine and among the best for Confederate revolvers. Brass has rich, beautiful mustard and copper-colored patinas with dark matching colors on iron with traces of bright orig blue. This gun is SN’d 1218 on right side of bbl housing, frame, and cylinder. Secondary number “18” found stamped on wedge, hammer, loading arm, plunger, left side of trigger guard, right side of backstrap and penciled in grip frame channel. A cryptic “T” is found on bottom of bbl, back of frame, right side of trigger guard, right side of backstrap, and back of cylinder. A Roman numeral “III” is found on left side of backstrap and trigger guard. This extremely fine 1st Model Griswold revolver ranks in the top 10% of all surviving Confederate brass framed revolvers as to quality and aesthetics. PROVENANCE: Fred Slaton Collection, Nebo, KY; Lifetime Collection of Dr. Zack Catterton. CONDITION: Overall very good-fine, well fit and matching. Complete and orig, missing only wedge screw. Of the numerous Griswold revolvers that I have examined over many years, I have not seen a more pleasing, honest, unadulterated example. Metal is sharp overall and has dark contrasting patinas exhibiting smooth surfaces with some light pitting and nicks and dings on bbl housing. Cylinder retains all 6 safety pins; ratcheting is still crisp and cryptic sharp. Grips are very well fit with hand worn patina with light, minor dings and dents, edge wear and chip to left inside toe. All markings are crisp and clearly struck including the cryptic marks which are especially vivid on this example. Mechanically, revolver is sound. Crisp, strong rifling with light areas of pitting in the bore. Loading arm, cylinder and hammer have a blue/black color, seen occasionally on high condition Georgia made revolvers that contrast well with the distinct patinas of frame and trigger guard. 51566-5 JS (25,000-30,000) – Lot 1205 Click here to view provenance |
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1206
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$25,300.00 |
VERY RARE EARLY GRISWOLD REVOLVER.SN 133. This is a most unusual gun and one of very few noted being transitional between 1st model 1st types and standard 1st models. SN 90 is the highest known on 1st model 1st type, SN 114 is an excavated frame only and is made of iron. This example is the earliest standard 1st model with large trigger bow that I can document. SN’s 105 and 117 are listed by William Albaugh in Confederate Handguns, but we can not substantiate these numbers and we know 3 other early SN’s are noted to be not original. SN 135 is also known and of a very similar configuration to subject here as is the next substantiated SN known 174 which is at “Battle Abbey” in Richmond, Virginia. Other SN’s known under SN 200 are SN’s 179, 186, 194 and 198. This particular gun appears 100% original and authentic and full SN’s are found on right side of bbl housing, frame and cyl. Full SN 133 is also found on loading arm, wedge, hammer, trigger guard and backstrap where as guns as early as serial 186 secondary numbers were being utilized. Cryptic “V” is found on wedge (which is only seen on earliest guns), left side of loading arm pivot (which I don’t remember seeing before, but maybe seen in other early guns), back of cyl (inside diameter, which also is only seen on earliest guns), left side of backstrap and trigger guard. The grips internally in channel are also stamped with “V”. As with other early 1st models there are no Roman numerals. The frame pins are steel which I do not recall on any other standard 1st models but is present on all 1st model 1st types. This is an outstanding rare early Griswold that would fit into any advanced Confederate revolver collection. PROVENANCE: Ex-Dick Kennedy, Atlanta Georgia; Ex-Jim Williams Collection, Atlanta. CONDITION: Good to very good overall, metal shows old cleaning with staining and pitting. SN’s and cryptics are all crisp and easily discerned. Gun appears totally original and complete externally with exception of loading lever screw. Grips are sound and solid with some sanding on bottoms with small putty repairs to inside toes. Front sight is an improvised blade which utilized the orig pin base which appears contemporary to use. Mechanically gun indexes sporadically and only holds half cock. Discernible rifling is found in pitted bore. 50560-1 JS (20,000-30,000) – Lot 1206 |
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1207
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$25,875.00 |
RARE SPILLER & BURR, ATLANTA, GEORGIA CONFEDERATE REVOLVER WITH FULL FIRM MARKING, “CS” AND SERIAL NUMBERED CYLINDER.SN 104. Cal. 36. Spiller & Burrs were made in Atlanta and then Macon, Georgia with a total production of less than 1,500 guns. This particular brass framed copy of a Whitney revolver is the most difficult of the major Confederate manufacturers to find complete and orig. It is also difficult to find these guns with the firm marking on bbl and cylinders which are SNd. This gun exhibits both these features and also has “CS” stamped on right side of frame. This was the first gun discovered to be marked on the bbl and the frame as documented in William Albaugh’s first texts. There are various thoughts as to why so few Spillers have SNd cylinders and why only about half have “CS” stamped on frames. It’s possible, according to some students and scholars, that these pistols were actually accepted and inspected for a Confederate Ordinance Dept. in Macon, Georgia. Gun is SNd on bbl, frame, trigger guard, cylinder, loading lever and arbor. PROVENANCE: William Albaugh Collection, 1950’s; Listed by SN in “Confederate Brass Framed Colt & Whitney”, 1955 by William Albaugh and “Confederate Handguns”, 1963 by Albaugh, Benet & Simmons; Red Jackson, Dallas, Texas; William Bond Collection, Vernon, Texas, 1962; Jerry Fertitta, Richmond, Virginia; pictured on cover of “North-South Traders Civil War Collectors Price Guide- 9th Edition”; Lifetime Collection of Dr. Zack Catterton. CONDITION: Very good-fine overall. Smooth surfaces with light pitting, scattered dents, dings and scratches, especially around frame markings as can be seen in photos. Brass frame shows old cleaning with a light mustard patina. Gun is all matching and orig. “SPILLER & BURR” markings on bbl flat are well discerned. Stocks are sound, solid and well fit with hand worn patina. This gun conforms to other standard model Spillers, functioning well with well-defined rifling in bore. 51566-9 JS (25,000-30,000) – Lot 1207 Click here to view provenance |
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1208
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$23,000.00 |
BRASS FRAMED CONFEDERATE SPILLER & BURR REVOLVER.SN 393. Cal. 36. This is a nice example of a scarce brass-framed Confederate revolver made in Georgia during the Civil War. This exact gun is pictured on pg 32 of Bill Gary’s definitive text Confederate Revolvers, 1987. This gun conforms to the standard configuration of other Spiller revolvers and has a 6-7/8″ oct bbl with unique crowning. Spiller & Burr revolvers were a Confederate brass-framed copy of Whitney’s Navy Revolver. This gun shows probable Confederate Government acceptance with a large “CS” stamped on right side of frame. SN “393” appears twice on frame and on trigger guard. Bbl is SNd “398” which was probably just a factory error. There is a cryptic “J” stamped on right side of grip frame and a “O” on top of latch securing cylinder base pin. Cylinder and loading arm are not serial numbered, but appear orig. This is a pleasing example of popular brass framed Confederate revolver with smooth surfaces and a crisp “CS” with well fitting military flap holster that would make a great addition to any Confederate collection. PROVENANCE: Ex-Bill Gary Collection; Pictured on pg 32 of “Confederate Revolvers’, Gary, 1987; Ex-Kent Wall Collection, Nashville, TN; Lifetime Collection of Dr. Zack Catterton. CONDITION: Overall very good. Gun appears orig throughout with apparent addition of latch screw and one nipple. Metal shows old cleaning overall, brass now has a light mustard patina and iron is overall mottled grey/brown with staining and pitting. Full orig brass post front sight. Grips are sound and solid with old refinish, well fit with hand worn patina. Mechanically gun functions with crisp well defined bore. Accompanying holster fits gun well, appears to have been made from reclaimed leather so common among Confederate accoutrements. Leather is fairly supple. Still retains small portions of orig polish, but mostly worn away. 51566-10 JS (20,000-30,000) – Lot 1208 Click here to view provenance |
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1209
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$40,250.00 |
CONFEDERATE COL. JOHN S. MOSBY PRESENTATION COLT MODEL 1851 NAVY PERCUSSION REVOLVER.SN 142683. Cal. 36. This gun originally was in the extensive John S. Mosby Collection of the late Bob Daly of Middleburg, Virginia who had large collection of personal Mosby objects, including many orig letters and documents direct from the Mosby descendants.. Usual configuration with 7-1/2″ oct bbl, brass cone front sight and 1-line New-York U.S. America address, “COLTS PATENT” on left side of frame and Cal. marking on left shoulder of trigger guard, brass trigger guard and back strap with 1-pc walnut grip. Backstrap is engraved in period script “To J.S. Mosby from R.H.D.” and buttstrap is inscribed in matching script “Welbourne”. John Singleton Mosby was born in Virginia in 1833, educated locally and in 1849 entered the Univ. of Virginia. In 1852 he was expelled for shooting another student, a bully, who had insulted him. He was convicted of the crime and was sentenced to one year in jail and a $500 fine. He was pardoned by the Governor and the fine rescinded. At the outbreak of the Civil War he joined the Confederate Army as a private even though he was opposed to secession. He later stated that he fought for Virginia, not for slavery. In his early career he rode with the Washington Mounted Rifles but was recognized for his intelligence gathering abilities and in early 1862 was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and was authorized to form & command the 43rd Battallion, 1st Virginia Cavalry, Partisan Rangers. He was promoted to Captain and then Major in March 1863, to Lt. Col. in January 1864 and Colonel in December 1864. His command was notorious for their lightning-like and stealthy raids on Union supply trains and encampments. He was known by one & all as the “Grey Ghost”. At the end of the war he did not surrender his command but simply disbanded them. After the war he became a staunch Republican and worked on Gen. Grant’s campaign for president and subsequently was appointed Consul to Hong Kong 1878-1885. He served in numerous other government & state positions throughout the remainder of his career and died in 1916. The initials in the presentation on back strap of this revolver, “RHD”, are thought to be for Richard Henry Dulany (1820-1906), also a Virginian and cavalryman for the Confederacy. The Dulanys are a very old and venerated Virginia family and members of the wealthy Virginia aristocracy having arrived from Ireland in 1703. The Dulany ancestral home is called “Welbourne” and remains in the Dulany Family today as a public Bed & Breakfast Inn. In July 1861, Richard H. Dulany personally equipped a company of mounted riflemen, the Dulany Troop. Col. Mosby and Dulany were apparently friends during the war with recorded instances of Mosby and his troops resting and recuperating at Welbourne. Richard Dulany was originally a Captain in the 7th Virginia Cavalry in command of the Dulany Troop then was appointed Lt. Col. in October 1862 and Colonel in October 1864. He was wounded on three separate occasions and survived numerous campaigns and battles including Jackson’s Valley Campaign, Cedar Mountain, Second Manassas, Antietam, Wilderness Campaign, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor & several others. Accompanied by a packet of information regarding Col. Dulany including copies of his military record and copies of several photographs of Col. Mosby both in and out of uniform and with his family. Also included is the book The Dulanys of Welbourne, A Family in Mosby’s Confederacy, Vogtsberger, which consists primarily of letters between Col. Dulany and his family. Col. John Mosby was one of the most famous and enigmatic characters of the Civil War. Due to his unpredictability and daring & dashing raids against the Union troops his capture and/or death was greatly pursued by the Union. This cataloguer recalls reading somewhere that there was, unusually for a military person, a substantial reward offered for his capture or proof of his death. Apparently his continuing raids and the inability of the Union to capture him was greatly demoralizing to the Union Army in that area. Mosby supposedly preferred the 1851 Navy to all other hand guns as did so many other Confederate officers. If this gun could only speak and tell us how Dulany obtained this pistol made at the height of the Civil War in early 1863 and gave it to his comrade. Dunlay’s wartime letters should be read. PROVENANCE: Ex-Collection Bob Daly, Middleburg, VA. CONDITION: Very good, all matching except wedge which is numbered “20364” and the rammer handle which is numbered “2688”. (Grip was not checked.) Bbl & frame retain a gray/brown patina with traces of blue in most sheltered areas of bbl. Rammer handle is also a gray patina with traces of case colors in sheltered areas. Grip frame is an even light mustard patina, having been cleaned and polished in the past, now beginning to regain a patina. Grip is sound showing heavy edge wear with nicks, dings and scratches and retains about 50-60% orig varnish. Cylinder is a matching patina to the frame and retains about 60% Ormsby Naval battle scene. Mechanics are fine, strong dark bore 51619-1 JS (15,000-25,000) – Lot 1209 Click here to view provenance |
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1210
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$28,750.00 |
RARE AND VERY EARLY 1ST MODEL LEMAT CONFEDERATE GRAPESHOT REVOLVER.SN 22. Cal. 42/18ga. This is a fine and complete orig example of a rarely offered 1st Model LeMat. This gun is same SN range of two identified South Carolina 1st Model LeMat’s. SN “21” was carried by a Private in the Eutaw Regiment and SN “25” was carried by T.B. Memminger, a Confederate surgeon and son of the Confederate Secretary of the Treasury. SN “22” has all the rare 1st Model features, including earliest bbl markings of “COL. LeMAT’S PATENT”, loading assembly attached to bbl on right side of gun, spur trigger guard and pinned lanyard ring stud, reciprocating pin cylinder rotation system. This gun is all orig, complete and functional. Fred Edmunds, well known Confederate revolver expert and late collector, wrote his observations which describe this gun well: “On December 7, 2002, I had the occasion of partially disassembling and examining your LeMat pistol, serial number 22, with a view toward verifying its authenticity. This statement is a result of my findings and conclusions. Barrel is correct and original, being half round and half octagonal, with the script-type engraving on the top flat breech-end reading, “Col. LeMat’s Patent”. Serial Number “22” is stamped on the right side barrel flat near the breech end. Front sight is original. No other barrel marks are observed. The loading lever assembly is located on the right side, as is correct for the First Model. It was not disassembled, but appears to be original. The loading lever catch could be a replacement, but if that is so, it is an excellent replacement. The frame is original and has the serial number “22”, stamped on the lower right side with an “M” in a circle. Spur trigger guard and backstrap are original with “22 stamped on inside surfaces. Mainspring and tension screw are original. Swiveling lanyard ring is original. Hammer is original and has the early “ears” on the top striking surface allowing it to be lowered on a pivot to discharge the grapeshot barrel; hammer is also numbered “22”. The 2-pc walnut grips with escutcheons are in excellent condition and are stamped “Baquet”, inside as, are many early LeMats. Another early feature in LeMat #22 is the rabbetted slip-fit joint between the grapeshot barrel and the regular barrel; later models were held together by a series of threads and were screwed off in disassembly. The cylinder is original and shows the same deep patina as the remainder of the piece. It is in excellent untouched condition. LeMat #22 has a very pleasing deep patina on all parts and is in excellent condition: it has a finer finish than most models, which were not highly polished before blueing was applied. Most LeMats have minor surface roughness when examined closely. They were not highly polished like the Colt products. The piece at hand is an excellent example of perhaps the most intriguing firearm used in the War Between the States.” PROVENANCE: Lifetime Collection of Dr. Zack Catterton. CONDITION: Very good-fine overall as described in Fred Edmund’s Letter of Authenticity. Gun does appear, however to have been re-colored to a pleasing overall dark, smooth plum color and bbl address has possibly been freshened in this cataloger’s opinion. Mechanically gun is sound and functional. 51566-2 JS (25,000-30,000) – Lot 1210 Click here to view provenance |
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1211
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$35,075.00 |
EXTREMELY RARE AND SPECTACULAR CONDITION, FINEST OF ONLY TWO ROBERT JONES LIVERPOOL MARKED ENGLISH CONFEDERATE LEMAT GRAPESHOT REVOLVERS MADE 1862-1863.SN 16. Cal. 42/18. This is no doubt the finest example of two extant specimens. The only other example is SN 6, which was offered by James D. Julia and sold in 2002 was well used. This gun, like its mate, shares the early LeMat characteristics of reciprocating pin mechanism to turn and lock cylinder. This mechanism proved defective in the field, and in 1863 the ratchet system like Colt was utilized. The Tipping & Lawden Confederate navy contract of 1864 produced 1,000 London LeMats which are quite different then these varieties and are all SNd 8000-9000. Even this group of London LeMats, though a 1,000 were produced, survival is quite low as the census is quite small; many must have been lost on a blockade runner, though that history is not documented as of yet. Like the other rare London LeMat & Girard patent offered in this sale, this was also a prize of the Clifford Young Collection. SN 16 is noted on most major parts and Roman Numeral II on others. Bbl markings “ROBERT JONES, NO 6 CHAPEL ST. LIVERPOOL” is engraved on top bbl flat. Ed Simmons in his Lemat research published in Confederate Handguns, 1963, Albaugh, Benet & Simmons; pg 99 in correspondence between the Confederate Navy Agent Bullock and Caleb Huse Confederate Agent “we have been very disappointed. The proposal we made to these gentlemen of Liverpool was not at all disastrous for them, we only asked them to give us the necessary money for the manufacture of their arms; these arms would have been delivered to them for further dispatching to American and the payment would have been made to them…. we asked them to indicate us another firm in Liverpool which we could make an arrangement…there is evidently an agreement between them and Major Hues, in order to keep the monopoly of the commerce between the Confederate States”. With all of the problems Girard was having with the English production of his guns, could this Robert Jones, Livrpool made gun be part of this September 1862 correspondence? We do know the English agent Perreaux & Company of London did receive November 8, 1862 500 LeMat revolvers destined for the Confederate States War Department that were sent abroad on the ship Lustika, November 8, 1862. It was always believed that this initial shipment was strictly Paris addressed guns, but based on this correspondence, English made varieties could have easily been included and it is to note that all of these early Paris guns are quite rare also. This is a unique opportunity to obtain an extremely fine and rare Confederate LeMat with these unique markings. PROVENANCE: Clifford Young Collection; pictured on pg 78 and described on pg 82 of “The Confederate LeMat Revolver”, Doug Adams, 2005. CONDITION: Fine overall. Strong traces of bright blue are found on frame, bbl, shotgun bbl, cylinder and loading assembly. There is a number “3827” stamped on left stock which we believe may be a number from the US Cartridge Collection (more research required and this inventory # is possible key). Gun is functional with crisp, shiny rifled bore and smooth shotgun cylinder. There are areas of scattered denting and pitting which do not affect the overall aesthetics of this arm. 51410-2 JS (20,000-30,000) – Lot 1211 |
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1212
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$25,875.00 |
EXTREMELY RARE AND FINEST EXAMPLE OF EARLY LONDON MADE CONFEDERATE LEMAT GRAPESHOT REVOLVER, ONLY 4 EXAMPLES KNOWN.SN 128. Cal. 42/18 ga. In the archives of the Confederate Memorial Hall, New Orleans, is a letter dated August 28, 1862 to General P.G.T. Beauregard from LeMat concerning the completion of revolvers in England by Girard. The date of this letter, no doubt, relates to the English patent filed April 15, 1862 which mirrors the Paris made revolvers still utilizing the reciprocating pin cylinder rotating and locking mechanism. There are so few London LeMats known with these early features, Alain Serpette, among the early LeMat researchers, notes only 4 guns of this genre: SNs 3, 9, 55 and 128. Doug Adams in his text The Confederate LeMat Revolver, 2005, also hypothesizes why these early guns exist. This correspondence cited moves it. The reciprocating pin mechanism was modified to a ratchet system like Colt in 1864 and Confederate Naval contract guns are all of this type with more modifications and should not be confused with these extremely rare 1862-1863 revolvers. Of the few examples known, all saw relatively hard use just like the Paris produced guns of these same years. This example no doubt, is the finest known example of this early London LeMat. These early guns are engraved not stamped “LEMAT & GIRARD’S PATENT LONDON” on top barrel flat. Ed Simmons wrote the chapter on LeMat revolvers in Confederate Handguns by Albaugh, Benet & Simmons, 1963 and is the only author other than Adams to state definitively that a handful of LeMat Revolvers were being made in England at the same time as in Paris during the earliest production. Cliff Young prized this rarity when it was part of his monumental LeMat collection. PROVENANCE: Clifford Young Collection, listed by SN and model described on pgs 119-121 “Confederate Handguns” by Albaugh, Benet & Simmons, 1963; listed by SN “Colonel Fracois A. Le Mat”, Alain F. Serpette, pg 53, 1995; listed by SN “LeMat The Man, The Gun”, Forgett & Serpette, pg 77, 1996; listed by SN and model described in “The Confederate LeMat Revolver”, Doug Adams, pg 79, 2005. CONDITION: Fine overall. Metal retains strong traces of thin blue. Matching SNs are found throughout. Fully functional with good bores and crisp markings. 51410-1 JS (20,000-30,000) – Lot 1212 |
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1213
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$18,400.00 |
FINE AND RARE CONFEDERATE 2ND MODEL LEMAT REVOLVER WITH COG MECHANISM TURNING CYLINDER, NOT NOTED IN SUCH AN EARLY GUN PREVIOUSLY.SN 1320. Cal. 42/18ga. This is a fine, complete and matching orig example of the standard production Confederate contracted LeMat grapeshot revolver retaining traces of orig finish. Standard production Paris guns, often called 2nd Models at about SN 1800 were changed from reciprocating pin to “Colt-style” ratcheting cog mechanism to turn cylinder. This feature we have not noted on such an early gun previously. Doug Adams, in his text The Confederate LeMat Revolver, 2005, “Note: Although there were some overlap, the change in Paris series barrel address “Systme LeMat” (SN 1825) occurs at roughly the same point as the switch to the cog mechanism”. What makes this gun so unusual as it indeed has cog mechanism was never made for reciprocating pin and gun appears all orig, correct and matching and “as found”. This gun exhibits all improvements that were known to work the best after lots of service in the field by Confederates reporting problems in the early Civil War years. I cannot explain why a gun theoretically made fully 500 SNs previous to the later Paris guns has these features, but this is indeed a pure and unmolested and possibly earliest known SN with cog mechanism. Otherwise, this revolver conforms to standard models with distinctive LeMat 9-shot cylinder. 42 caliber rifled bbl with smooth bore ‘grape-shot’ 18ga bbl for firing buckshot. The top bbl flat is marked “Col. LeMat Bte s.g.d.g. Paris” which is the typical address on LeMat standard production guns prior to SN 1825. In Wiley Sword’s text Firepower From Abroad , 1986, he notes that probably only the first 1450 LeMats made it to the Confederacy in time for the Gettysburg Campaign. If that is the case this would have been one of the last shipments to make it through blockade for the major 1863 and 1864 Campaigns of the Civil War. LeMat revolvers were prized by their Confederate owners (and Yankee capturers too). Many notable Confederate Generals and Officers were known to have carried these unique weapons as noted by General Beauregard’s and General Lewis’s sold in a previous Julia’s sale. In Charles Frazier’s 1997 National Book Awards winning Cold Mountain the book’s hero Inman proudly owned a pair of LeMat revolvers showing how well known this particular revolver is among modern culture. This is a pleasing example, all matching with fine aesthetics. PROVENANCE: Lifetime Collection of Dr. Zack Catterton. CONDITION: Very good to fine overall, orig bright blue finish is found in traces in protected areas, balance of surface is mottled gray with some staining, light pitting and other minor cosmetic blemishes. Gun appears 100% orig and complete with exception of right ear of hammer face which is broken and missing. All screws appear orig. Matching SN 1320 was found on bbl, shotgun bbl, loading arm, loading assembly screw, plunger, cleaning rod, cylinder, frame, trigger, each grip and grip screw. Mechanically revolver functions well, crisp action, bright well discerned shotgun and rifled bores. 51566-3 JS (20,000-25,000) – Lot 1213 Click here to view provenance |
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1214
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$9,775.00 |
EXTREMELY FINE CONFEDERATE KERR REVOLVER.SN 9032. Cal. 44. The London Armory Co. produced about 11,000 large 54 bore revolvers from 1859-1866. The largest part of that production were purchased by the Confederacy. The majority of guns with credible Confederate association have the stamp “JS/anchor” on grips just behind trigger guard. Serial numbers range from 1019-9975 with this marking. Excellent new information can be found on English Confederate imports in the monumental text just published in 2014 by Russ Pritchard, Tim Prince and C.A. Huey, The English Connection. Seven Kerr revolvers are known to have been used by Company H of the 18th Virginia Cavalry and are listed on the squad roll of Lt. Julian Pratt, July 1864. The 7 guns on Pratt’s list are all in the SN range 9240-9974. This is a beautiful and high condition example of a normally well worn Confederate revolver. PROVENANCE: Lifetime Collection of Dr. Zack Catterton. CONDITION: Fine overall, all matching, crisp markings. Lock and hammer retain much of their orig muted color with balance grey/silver with light pitting. Cylinder retains over 20% orig bright blue with balance grey. Bbl and housing retain about 75% orig bright blue. Frame and trigger guard retain strong traces of bright blue orig finish. Gun is mechanically sound with crisp, well defined bore. Grips sound; crisp checkering with some wear and light chipping to diamond pattern. “JS/anchor” is especially crisp. 51566-6 JS (6,000-8,000) – Lot 1214 Click here to view provenance |
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1215
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$9,775.00 |
VERY FINE CONFEDERATE PALMETTO ARMORY PISTOL.NSN. Cal. 54. This is among the finest examples of an orig Palmetto Armory secondary Confederate Single Shot pistol you will find. Only 1000 of this contract were purported to have been made and survival in fine condition is extremely rare. Markings are crisp and sharp. Gun is 100% orig and authentic and still retains raised grain to its stock which we have not encountered before on this model. The lock and hammer have very crisp and fine markings and muted case color in protected area under hammer. This would be a difficult example to upgrade especially for crisp markings and exceptional wood. PROVENANCE: Lifetime Collection of Dr. Zack Catterton. CONDITION: For a Confederate arm, this gun is in fine-excellent condition, but by NRA standards it grades very good. Bbl is overall mottled grey with areas of staining and pitting. Lock has similar color to bbl, but smoother, “Palmetto Tree” surrounded by “Palmetto Armory, S.C.” are well struck and easily read as are “Columbia, S.C. 1852″. Bbl markings of “VIP”, “palm tree”, “WM. GLAZE & CO” and “1853″ on bbl tang are crisp and easily discerned. Brass has a light mustard patina with scattered small scratches, dents and dings. The stock is sound and solid with good sharp edges and areas of raised grain, several storage dings and dents. Mechanically gun is sound with a smooth bore with pitting. 51566-1 JS (6,000-8,000) – Lot 1215 Click here to view provenance |
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1216
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$46,000.00 |
EXTREMELY RARE CONFEDERATE SCOPED 2ND QUALITY WHITWORTH RIFLE.SN C529. Cal. 52. There are 19 SNs known on scoped 2nd Quality Whitworth rifles. This example falls within this range that saw Confederate service, B509 and the highest C619. This gun conforms to the other examples known with “WHITWORTH RIFLE CO MANCHESTER” forward of hammer on lock and Crown over “W” rear of hammer and engraved on trigger guard plate “2ND QUALITY”. Bbl marked on left of breech with Birmingham proofs, “52” gauge markings and SN “C529”. Matching SNs are also found on lock, trigger guard, breech and bbl band. The brass tube Davidson scope was adjusted for elevation by turning the knurled knob on the right side of the forearm. This loosened the clamp on the left side so the 1-1/2″ bar graduated in 1/16″ increments could be raised and lowered, pivoting on the rear mount secured by the rear lock plate screw. The normal long range ladder sight could be used for normal short range shooting. There is extensive documentation on the acquisition of this rifle, along with correspondence regarding the use of these guns during the Civil War. This gun was originally found with the telescopic sight missing which was later purchased from Confederate authority Steve Mullinax and put back on the rifle according to documentation. In a 1992 letter from noted Whitworth authority John Morrow The Confederate Whitworth Sharpshooters, 1989. “The telescope mounted Whitworth ‘2nd Quality’ No. C529 Rifle” described here conforms to the specification of all the other known surviving examples of the Confederate Purchase Special Arms. Specifically, it is in the correct SN range, the simple form of the iron sights, two bbl bands, lack of a safety bolt, common breech rather than patent breech, very short muzzle projection beyond the forend cap (note that the bbl appears to have lost 3/16″ at the muzzle, it should be 33″ exactly), the method of mounting the telescope the form of the checkering and everything else about it confirm this. The total number shipped in this telescopic configuration is not known but only 8 have been traced up to this moment.” One identical to this gun, is pictured in Firearms of the Confederacy, plate XXIII and discussed on pages 27 and 28. An extremely rare and authentic Confederate snipers rifle in “out-of-the-attic” condition. This rifle is pictured partially and mentioned in The English Connection by Russ Pritchard and C. A. Huey. This text is the most definitive and recent book on Confederate imports from Britain. PROVENANCE: David Taylor; Ex-Collection Thomas K. Hutchinson (1924-2007), 1991. CONDITION: Iron is brown overall with staining and pitting. Gun appears orig and matching with addition of restored scope and mounts. The bbl is missing 3/16″ and bore has been reamed to about 48 Cal. smooth bore. Stock is sound and solid with hand worn patina with beautiful set of initials of solider who carried this gun, carved on bottom of stock “JSW”, long hairline crack about 10″ on right side of stock and several other hairlines and cosmetic defects in wood as seen in photos. Gun was not disassembled, but this gun is well known with old collection history. Mechanically sound with pitted, smooth bore as noted. Scope has good optics with chip to one lens which does not affect sighting. 51671-1 JS (50,000-70,000) – Lot 1216 Click here to view provenance |
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1217
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$46,000.00 |
EXCEEDINGLY RARE AND DESIRABLE CONFEDERATE RISING BREECH CARBINE (BILHARZ, HALL & COMPANY).SN 85. Cal. 54. One of the great rarities in Confederate arms collecting and one of the most sought after long arms in the arms collecting field is this “Rising Breech Carbine” made in Pittsylvania Courthouse, VA by Bilharz, Hall & Company. There are only 16 of these guns known and this is among the very best of them. There are also two variant styles. Murphy and Madaus in their text Confederate Carbines & Musketoons differentiates this as a Type I where “the extreme rear end of the lever has an open loop comprising about 3/4″ of a circle. The upper part of the loop has a small horizontal flange which locks into a groove on the upper part of the curved iron extension that completes the circle. This extension maintains latching pressure by means of an interior flat spring attached to the trigger plate”. Type II carbines have latching mechanism consisting of a sliding loop attached to an iron block in a slot on the inner aspect of the lever. A plunger rod passes through the block and two integral brackets; a coil spring encircles the plunger rod and maintains pressure. In their text, Madaus & Murphy lists this gun as being the highest SN known. Bilharz also produced a muzzle loading percussion carbine. Subject carbine is in .54 caliber SN 85, and fired a paper cartridge. The breechblock rises vertically when the trigger guard/lever is lowered. Iron mounted on a two-pc walnut stock, the round barrel measures 21″ long and is secured by a single flat barrel band. There is a sling ring mounted on the left side of the stock. The SN appears on the frame, breechblock, inside the lever and on the underside of the buttplate and on stock behind baseplate. “CS” is stamped on the breech of the bbl and on the breechblock. Proof mark “P” is found above the “CS” on left bbl breech. The front sight is a pinched blade style with a three leaf graduated rear sight. The Bilharz, Hall & Company gun factory was built in what was a tin shop/foundry on Main Street in Chatham, Pittsylvania County, Virginia. Candidus Bilharz was the principal in the firm. Bilharz was an immigrant from Baden, Germany who was naturalized in Pittsylvania County in 1859. He was a harness maker, vintner/distiller, miller and mechanic who lived near Tanyard Branch in Chatham. It is amazing when you think about all of the German connected Confederate arms manufacturers. Bilharz’s partner George Hall was a prominent businessman who owned a small tin shop along with extensive land holdings in the county. Col. Coleman D. Bennet was a silent partner in the firm and was presumably its chief benefactor. Bennett was a man of enormous wealth who owned vast tracts of county land plus a whole block of buildings on Main Street in downtown Chatham. Records show that thirty-eight people were employed by the gun works, and those fit for military service were given Confederate draft deferments due to their profession. Some of the names of the employees were as follows: G.C. Haden, A.C. Haden, R.L. Haden, John H. Shelton, Nathaniel Shelton, C.L. Mott, James Motley, B. Riddle, J.D. Reynolds, B. Reynolds, J.T. Abbott, C.P. Oakes, John H. Brown, M.B. Dickson, William Brown, Frank Compton, R.W. Hall, J. Beaver, J.H.C. Hutcherson, and Benjamin Dyer. Ages of the workers ranged from 18 to 40. Job titles included the following: Stocker, Rifling Hand, Polisher, Vice Hand, Band Holder, Helper and Mechanic. The 400 or so firearms of all types (mostly muzzle loaders) produced from August of 1862 through March of 1864 (when operations ceased) were manufactured under contract with the Confederate Ordnance Department. Records also show that the firm purchased thousands of pounds of “skelp iron” from the Confederate government for use in rifle bbls. Interestingly, the company also manufactured 1745 wooden stocks at a dollar each for other rifle factories. These carbines did not receive favorable reports from Confederate ordnance inspectors; nonetheless, they most certainly saw service in the arms strapped South. ONLY 100 of these Rising Breech Carbines are thought to have been produced with only a handful known examples in the collecting world and museums. Here we have a superb opportunity to obtain one of the rarest of Confederate long arms in excellent condition. PROVENANCE: Ex-Collection Col. Arthur Crego, 1960. CONDITION: Very good-fine overall. All metal surfaces are gray/bright with scattered areas of staining and pitting. Bore exhibits good discernible rifling. Markings including proofs “CS/P” and serial numbers are all crisp and easily discerned. Stocks are sound and solid with scattered small dings and nicks. Mechanically sound and functional. 51612-1 JS (40,000-60,000) – Lot 1217 Click here to view provenance |
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1218
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$33,925.00 |
EXTREMELY RARE DAVIS & BOZEMAN, STATE OF ALABAMA CONFEDERATE CONTRACT CARBINE.SN 15. Cal. 58. This extremely rare Confederate carbine is one of no more than 3 or 4 specimens known. This exact gun is shown and described on pgs 172-174 of Confederate Rifles & Muskets, Dr. John M. Murphy & Howard Michael Madaus, 1996. Murphy & Madaus’ text is the definitive treatise on Confederate long arms.Davis & Bozeman, based in Equality, Alabama is a rarely encountered Confederate contractor. This is a very early production carbine with matching SN 15 found on hammer and lock has a very thick and heavy bbl, showing early production guns where utilizing surplus rifle bbls. Front sights are dovetailed and fitted. Brass blades identical on the other few carbines known. The bbl measures 24″ and gun is 39-1/2″ overall. Assembly number “VI” is found on breech, bbl and stock under tang. The bbl is marked “ALA. 1864” and the lock is marked forward of hammer in a light stamp “D & B”. Gun is totally brass mounted and appears “as found” with beautiful patina, excellent mechanics and well defined rifled bore. PROVENANCE: Tommy Ritter, Jr. Collection, 2000; Don Bryan Collection. CONDITION: Very good to fine overall, truly excellent for a Confederate long arm. Gun appears orig, authentic and matching, though sling swivels appear to be excellent restorations. Iron is plum/grey overall with pitting. Brass has old cleaning with white mustard colored patina. Stock is sound and solid, old refinish with good color and aesthetics; scattered small storage dings and dents. Mechanics are crisp and bore has well defined rifling. 51571-1 JS (25,000-35,000) – Lot 1218 Click here to view provenance |
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1219
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$41,400.00 |
EXTREMELY RARE EARLY COOK & BROTHERS NEW ORLEANS CONFEDERATE RIFLE WITH PATCHBOX AND BAYONET.SN 141. Cal. .577. This is an extremely early and extraordinarily rare product of Cook & Brother Manufacturing of New Orleans. There are no more than 4 or 5 examples known of these classic 33″ Damascus barreled rifles with factory oval patchboxes. These early Cooks made in 1861 and so dated have interesting early features such as the distinct Cook hammer, saber bayonet lug with rail SNd to match gun and large fixed iron block front sight with inset dovetailed brass blade. Rear of hammer the lock is marked with the earliest version of Confederate First National flag and “COOK & BROTHER N.O. 1861” is found forward of hammer. The bbl is also marked “COOK & BROTHER N.O. 1861” rear of adjustable long-range rear sight. John Murphy and Howard Madaus in their monumental text Confederate Rifles & Muskets, 1996 discuss these rare New Orleans rifles at length. Accompanying this gun is orig Cook saber bayonet (SN 11). We are only aware of possibly only one other example of this extremely rare New Orleans rifle with patchbox which was sold in the Jim Maconkey Collection on these floors several years ago. PROVENANCE: Ex-Don Bryan Collection. CONDITION: Very good to fine overall. Metal overall brown/plum with pitting at breech. Twist in Damascus bbl is easily discerned. Markings are very good and well struck on lock and bbl markings are mostly discerned as can be seen in photographs. SNs found externally on bayonet lug, rear band, lock screws and tang screw. Bbl SN is partially discernible but obscured by pitting at the breech, as is “PROVED” on left bbl breech. Front band is SNd “202”, but is no doubt an orig Cook band. Stock is sound and solid with good color, hand worn patina and no apparent restoration. Front brass sling swivel appears restored. Mechanically gun is functional with discernible rifling in bore. Accompanying bayonet with 22-1/2″ Yataghan blade fits gun well and has been shimmed to fit muzzle perfectly. 51571-4 JS (25,000-35,000) – Lot 1219 Click here to view provenance |
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1220
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$34,500.00 |
EXTREMELY RARE AND FINE CONFEDERATE MAKER MARKED MORSE CARBINE, GREENVILLE, SC.SN 1033/955. Cal. 54. There are no more than 3 or 4 “MORSE” maker marked Confederate brass framed carbines and this is no doubt among the best examples. This gun was once part of the exemplary Confederate carbine collection of Don Bryan and is pictured on pg 60 of Arming The Glorious Cause, James Whisker & Dan Hartzler, 1998. This gun has mixed SNs with breech number “1033” which we believe is the highest SN known on a Morse. Matching assembly number “VI” is found on breech and frame. Gun was not disassembled as it appears “as found” and orig including ramrod and cleaning jag. Other known examples of maker marked guns are also SNd above 1000. These guns were issued to South Carolina Cavalry and most are in well used condition. This example shows honest use and saddle wear, but retains beautiful, smooth well patinaed surfaces in relatively excellent condition for a Confederate long arm. This example conforms to other examples known with 20″ rnd bbl and about 40″ overall. You’ll not find a finer example of this popular brass framed Confederate carbine. CONDITION: Very good to fine overall. Metal surfaces are overall smooth with light staining. Frame has smooth mustard colored patina with crisp makers marking. Stocks show old refinishing with excellent grain and color, well fit, scattered small dings, dents and cosmetic blemishes, small chip on right side of forestock at breech. Action is crisp with fine bright bore with well defined rifling. 51571-3 JS (25,000-35,000) – Lot 1220 Click here to view provenance |
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1221
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$23,000.00 |
RARE CONFEDERATE MENDENHALL, JONES & GARDNER STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA CONTRACT RIFLE.SN 926. Cal. .577. Mendenhall, Jones & Gardner of Jamestown, North Carolina contracted with the State of North Carolina and produced rifles of several patterns. This pattern is a copy of a US Model 1841 “Mississippi” and is known as a Type II rifle as characterized by Madaus & Murphy in their definitive text Confederate Rifles & Muskets, 1996. 32-5/8″ bbl, 48″ overall, brass blade front sight, fixed rear iron sight, saber bayonet lug,. correct straight iron buttplate, brass trigger guard, bbl bands and nosecap. Brass-tipped iron ramrod appears contemporary and matching. Lockplate is marked rear of hammer “C.S. / 1863” and forward of hammer “M. J. & G. / N.C”. Initial “B” is carved on left side of buttstock, probably denoting soldier who carried this scarce Confederate rifle. Opposite lock, in wood, is “M. J. & G.” cartouche, though it is only partially discernible. SN 926 appears inside lockplate and on trigger. This is a pleasing example of a scarce gun with good markings and aesthetics, along with orig Confederate linen sling. PROVENANCE: Ex-Don Bryan Collection. CONDITION: Metal surfaces overall are grey/brown with pitting. Bbl proofs not discernible due to pitting, though the “C” can be partly seen in the “NC/P”. Rifling is very good but pitted. Lock markings are clear and discernible as seen in photos. Stock is sound and solid with horizontal crack repair in forestock. Gun appears orig and matching with exception of iron rear sight and brass front sight which appear to be contemporary replacements. Linen sling is fragile, soiled with reductions, leather billet has had some modern reinforced stitches restored. Mechanically, gun is sluggish and will not hold cock. 51571-2 JS (20,000-30,000) – Lot 1221 Click here to view provenance |
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1222
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$0.00 |
1862 DATED RICHMOND RIFLED MUSKET IN FINE “AS FOUND” CONDITION WITH ORIGINAL VERY RARE RICHMOND ANGULAR BAYONET.NSN. Cal. 58. The Richmond Armory was the largest Confederate long arms maker utilizing equipment captured from Harper’s Ferry in 1861. Early Richmond’s utilized many captured Harper’s Ferry parts, but by late ’62, guns are predominantly all of Richmond manufacture. Richmond muskets, though the most common Confederate made long arm of the Civil War, are extremely difficult to find in superior “as found” condition as they all saw hard and long use. This gun appears all orig and authentic and totally of Richmond manufacture with the exception of reused Harper’s Ferry iron buttplate which has had the US surcharge removed. Musket is marked forward of hammer “C.S. / RICHMOND VA” and “1862” behind hammer. The bbl has matching bbl date of “1862” and a “V / P” bbl proof. The bands all show a centrally-struck Richmond style “U”. The ramrod is correct and orig tapered style that are almost as hard to find as the flat sided angular bayonets. The bayonet fits gun well. Julia’s has not offered a fine, untouched Richmond musket since the Ben Michel Collection was sold in October, 2009 and cannot ever remember orig musket and bayonet being offered by any source. PROVENANCE: Lifetime Collection of Dr. Zack Catterton. CONDITION: Metal surfaces have dark iron patina with pitting. Rear sling swivel is missing. Rear and front sights appear orig with matching patina. Lock markings are crisp and well struck. 1862 bbl date and “V / P” proof are discernible, but light, as can be seen in photos. Iron buttplate is well fit and has matching patina to rest of gun. Brass nosecap has dark mottled brown/mustard patina. The stock is sound a solid with good edges, hand worn patina and a pair of lightly carved initials “WA” on right side, no doubt denoting the soldier who carried it. There is a large 1″ sliver broken out just rear of breech on left side and based on surface, it has been missing since the war. The bore has been reamed to 64 Cal. smooth bore with no discernible rifling. Mechanically, gun functions well. Bayonet is overall grey, lighter than the gun, shows typical laminated flaws always seen on these rare bayonets thought to have been contracted in Raleigh, NC. 51566-11 JS (12,000-15,000) – Lot 1222 |
