Firearms
Truly FINE CONDITION M1858 Starr .44 Cal. "Army" Revolver
Martial Cartouche on Grip -- Pre-War Specimen
Fully-Functional, All-Original, Complete, Loads of Original Blued Finish
Being one of the most modern and technologically advanced functioning revolvers of it's day, the Model 1858 Starr series of revolvers (.44 cal. "Army" and .36 cal. "Navy") were almost all exclusively purchased and issued by the US military in the late 1850's, when production on these began in 1858. Many cavalrymen, Dragoons, naval personnel, and officers would carry these fine weapons fighting Indians out west, and in preparation for the War looming ahead. Their unique double-action design, whereby a trigger toggle switch would allow the piece to operate in both single-action (cock and hold, then fire by pulling trigger) and double action (simply pulling the trigger to cock and fire the weapon simultaneously), was indeed a technological advancement. Almost all specimens were martially marked, just as this one offered for sale is. Many a Johnny Reb and Billy Yank would carry these fine revolvers into the War, as their popularity for being such a fine large calibered weapon was only equaled by the Colt series. Since many pre-war soldiers and Southern arsenals had these on-hand at the outbreak of secession, many were quickly pressed into Confederate service (given their total want of proper armament in the early days of war). Though the double-action mechanism was truly an advancement, it could also easily become the "Achilles heel" of the weapon! The simple, tiny screw that held the tiny toggle switch on the trigger could become too lose, and allow it to go into one action or the other at random. Worse yet, if that tiny screw came out, you'd really be left in trouble! Which is why Starr changed all that with the M1863 Army revolver. But when the screw was kept on and tight, it worked perfectly, much like this specimen.
This piece offered here is indeed in Flayderman's/NRA "FINE" condition, having well met and exceeded the 30% original bluing/case coloring threshold. A lot of original blued skin remains scattered all over the piece, and the rest has the most beautiful, dark, faded original blued hue to it. All of the markings are crisp and vividly clear, from the Starr Patent and Address info on both sides of the frame, to the serial numbers. The matching serial numbers 2631 are found throughout, seen clearly, excepting for the trigger serial which is 8315--obviously an "in-the-field" replacement made when the original hammer got worn, broken, or lost. But it is an original and equally blued and matching hammer done during the period. The action works wonderfully and crisp in both single and double action, and the bore has great rifling in good condition. The original walnut grips are still gorgeous, with the expected holster wear (riding around chasing Indians, or on a ship, or killing Yanks or Johnnies) which is why the martial cartouche is faded, though evident. The metal is virtually free of any service wear, no pitting--obviously, given the fine condition of the metal. In total, this piece could operate and fire as well today as the day it was made. Just beautiful. Even the original nipples are all present and sharp.
All original...all beautiful...all fine condition...martially-marked...and a pre-war production specimen....hard to find a .44 this nice this cheap. No apologies. No need to spend hundreds more for equal or lesser quality....
$1350

This Missouri Reb sure loved his M1858 Starr Army!
Click On Thumbnails Below For More Pictures
Wonderful Martially-Marked Colt M1860 Army .44 Caliber Revolver
Matching VERY LOW Serial Numbers 25062 -- January 1862 Production
Complete, Fully-Functional, Original Specimen, Clear Inspector's Cartouche
Some people like their guns "armory bright" finish, while others like a ton of case-coloring. But for guys like me an many others, we love that perfect untouched "attic brown" patina! Looks like a milk chocolate bar--and makes me drool! My good friend Tim Prince of College Hill Arsenal has proclaimed he is going to write a book entitled "Learning to Love the Brown Gun," so that others will learn to appreciate the unspoiled beauty of a dark "attic-fine" condition piece. Offered here is a rich, smooth, and absolutely beautiful M1860 Colt .44 caliber Army revolver, with matching very low serial numbers of 25062, which indicates it was produced in January of 1862. It has a clear government inspector's cartouche on the grip, and sub-inspector stamps on the frame/cylinder equally crisp and clear. This weapon is free of any pitting or wear whatsoever, and the beautiful patina shows. Grips are excellent, with no chips or repairs. Virtually no service wear to be seen. Clear and legible "Colt's Patent" with serial on the cylinder. The Serial numbers are quite visible everywhere, with worn Colt address on the barrel (or purposely ground off, as Johnny Reb was apt to do!) Excellent rifling and bore, all of the original nipples present and in very good shape. A real "shooter's" gun, as it would fire and operate as well and accurately today as the day it was made. The wedge is an original Colt production period replacement wedge, so no numbers on it--but it's period, so as usual, the soldier who lost his original wedge in the field got a replacement to keep his beautiful and deadly weapon in service.
They aren't going to get much cheaper, my friends. I got a great deal on this one, and will pass the savings on to you....
SOLD
Click On Thumbnails Below For More Pictures
Spectacular Original CS ID'd M1819 Hall Rifle
Exclusively ID'ed to John A. Wires, 13th Bttn/56th Alabama Partisan Cavalry
All Original, Complete, ORIGINAL Flintlock Battery, Fully-Functional
HARPERS FERRY 1832-Dated, Vivid "J.A.WIRES" Initials In Stock
15 Page Archive of Information on John A. Wires, Including Original Muster Rolls, Pension Records, Unit Histories
Knowing me by now, you should know that when it takes so many "prep" lines in the description header, it's going to be out-of-sight! This one has everything going for it--literally. On just face value, you are looking at the phenomenally beautiful, all-original, complete, unaltered M1819 Hall Breechloading Rifle. This was indeed the first US accepted model of breechloading weapon into military service. Truly revolutionary for it's age. The breech block was released by a trigger mechanism underneath, which unlocked the breech to allow it to easily open from the front of the breech block in order to load the weapon. Then, simply close the breech block until the trigger mechanism "clicks" closed. Then, being a flintlock, prime the pan, cock and fire. It was a .54 caliber rifled piece, which also added to it's great desirability and revolutionary improvement in weapon technology. They were heavily employed by the US Dragoon in the Seminole Wars, the Mexican War, and yet again in the Civil War. As described accurately in Flayderman's Guide to American Antique Firearms, many were within Southern arsenals when the war broke out, and were quickly employed into service, given the drastic and dramatic need for rifled and breechloading weaponry. Many were converted by Confederate arsenals, and they certainly command a premium in price for authentic pieces. Others, however, where quickly issued by their state and local arsenals and militias, and right into combat. This weapon offered here is a gorgeous 1832 crisply-dated and marked Harpers Ferry-made specimen, with equally clear "US" and "J H HALL" maker's marking upon the breech. The breech action and functionality of the weapon is entirely intact, fully-functional, and indeed crisp. It can operate and fire as well today as the day it was made. Being a truly original flintlock battery (not reconversion--BEWARE of that trickery going on!), everything is "righteous" and "tight" with this beauty. The original button-nose full-length ramrod is present, and has the classic worn-off threads from great use. Though a breechloader, the Hall design did allow for muzzle loading with the ramrod, and the use for worming if a ball was stuck (the Jenks carbine was the first breechloader to do away with having a ramrod). Being an 1832 production piece, it clearly did see the opportunity for killing Indians, Mexicans, and without question, YANKEES. We know this thanks to the ironclad provenance with the piece. The name "J. A. Wires" is vividly carved into the stock on the right side of the cheek. Do your research, and you'll find the only two "Wires" who fought for the Confederacy were both from Alabama. Only one has the initials "J. A.": He was John A. Wires, who enlisted at the age of 46 in Jasper County, Alabama, on September 6th, 1862. He joined into Company C of the 13th Alabama Partisan Rangers/Cavalry, which would later consolidate into the 56th Alabama Partisan Rangers. Given their "partisan" status, they were utilized mainly for local Alabama and east Mississippi duty through 1863, and clearly had to equip themselves with whatever weapons they could find--including flintlock breechloading rifles! After consolidating with the 56th, they would eventually be called into "regular service" in 1864, opposing Sherman in the Atlanta Campaign, helping Hood through his beginning stages of his invasion into Tennessee in November 1864, but then race back to Savannah, Georgia, helping to oppose Sherman through the Carolina's, and fighting at such actions as River's Bridge, Aiken, and finally Bentonville. John Wires, being an older man, shows by his muster roll records to have been sent on special duties (getting horses), guarding train stations, and being ill in the hospital. They obviously took "care" of John, given his age, but he fought hard like the rest of his compatriots, and survived the war to receive a pension. All of his surviving pension records, muster rolls from the national archives, and unit information, history, and copy of his Company C muster with his name on it are all provided within the 15 page archive of John A. Wires history with his Hall Rifle. Poor John had trouble--like so many poorly educated men of that time--in spelling his name, so his family name appears both as "Wires" and "Wyres" as you see in all his documentation. But he clearly went by "Wires" as his weapon shows, as do his musters, pension, and enlistment.
This gorgeous, rare, and historic weapon alone is worth this price. All the Alabama history you get for free.
SOLD $2698
Click On Thumbnails Below For More Pictures
Absolutely Beautiful JS/Anchor Exclusively CS Import-Marked P53 Enfield Rifle
All-Original, Complete, Fully-Functional, Excellent CS/Local-Made Replacement Ramrod
Crisp Mechanics, Beautiful Untouched Stock & Metal, Vivid "1862" Lockplate Date
THE CLASSIC 100% CONFEDERATE RIFLE
This real-deal JS/Anchor marked CS imported Pattern 1853 Enfield Rifle. Arguably the finest main-line rifle in service around the globe at the time of the War, and THE preferred long arm of the Confederacy, the Enfield Rifle has become iconic in representing the Southern soldier during the Civil War (though more are known to have been imported by the Federal government than Confederates!) Over 200,000 Enfields are known to have been purchased by the Confederacy, but exact numbers delivered are not precisely known, owing to the lack of surviving records. The majority of Confederate imported specimens bear no evidence to their importation, but the most prized pieces in the collecting arena are those with the CS-importer demarcations, such as the Caleb Huse ("CH/1") mark, Sinclair Hamilton ("SH/C"), or the classic "JS/Anchor" viewer's mark. This specimen offered here bears the clear JS/Anchor marking, found under the stock by the trigger guard, as they most always are. For decades, the exact identification of who/what the "JS" over "Anchor" mark was or meant was hotly debated, though all knew it was a Confederate importation marking. However, thanks to the overwhelming and ground-breaking contemporary research and work performed by Steve Knott, it is now (and soon to be published) accepted that the enigmatic "JS" is indeed the initials of John Southgate, professional and skilled viewer (inspector) of the British Government with the world-famous London Armoury Company. He worked for Her Majesty in inspecting all firearms purchased for the royal armed forces. Though employed by Her Majesty's government, he had taken a sudden and indefinite "sick leave" with the British Government, just as he began his secretive service for Caleb Huse (CS purchasing agent in England) in 1861. Since the British Government wanted to remain legally "neutral" with both the North and the South, all business with the Confederacy had to be very secret and discrete. Knowing that Federal blockade and naval operations were underway from just outside of England's coast, back to every Southern seaport in order to confiscate all Confederate property trying to be imported into her borders, the British and other European providers of weapons and equipment to the South had to play an intriguing game of lies, spies, and subterfuge! Original surviving Confederate documentation by Confederate Major Edward C. Anderson--Jefferson Davis' first appointed chief of arms acquisition when war broke--reveal the "Southgate" name specifically in correspondences, such as “Birmingham Mon. 5th Aug. 1861. Attending to business for the Confedy, inspecting arms with Mr. Southgate, viewer to the London Armory Company, who is operating in our interests...". Therefore, there is little speculation any more about what the "JS" stands for: it is John Southgate. And why the "Anchor" marking? Another clue to our friend Mr. Southgate! The anchor symbol was the endeared, and still enduring symbol of Birmingham, England, including governmental office marks. Not wanting to lose his government job viewing at the London Armoury, he clearly decided to do viewership on Birmingham pieces--such as this one offered for sale here--instead of London Armoury pieced, in order to ensure he didn't have a "conflict of interest" or incriminating evidence to point back to the London Armoury and his identity. It is a neat and succinct encrypted message left upon the weapons he inspected and approved to buy for the Confederacy.
This specimen offered here has the JS/Anchor marking clearly visible, though worn (as they all typically are for hard-fighting combat Rebel guns) upon the stock by the trigger guard. The lockplate is marked "Tower 1862" with crown stamping, and the barrel has the expected Birmingham proof (the 24 gauge Birmingham proof marks). Mechanical action works very good on both positions. The metal has that classic dark metal patina--a mix of the original bluing and "plum" that Enfield bluing fades to. The original walnut stock has the most pretty tone and patina to the overall weapon everywhere. Noticeably, it bears many of the typical CS alterations, such as the crude cast and finished CS replacement tulip-nose ramrod, and like so many surviving examples, the rear long-range sight is missing. I had an almost identical crudely-made CS replacement ramrod in another JS/Anchor specimen last fall through John Sexton, and Enfield experts have noticed this tulip-nosed replacement Johnny ramrod on ANV specimens, so there is strong belief that this was a Richmond Arsenal/Eastern Theater produced item (though there is no raised "star" motif stamped under the barrel, which is the "Holy Grail" demarcation one hopes to find, which signifies the Richmond Arsenal stamp of inspection!) Everything on this weapon is original and truly untouched, having not been altered with any modern patina chemicals, no refinishing of the wood, no modern replacement parts--all original Confederate-used piece here. The weapon shows the most typical and expected field and service wear you come to expect from every truly Confederate-used piece you come across. "Honest wear" nicks and scratches here and there, but no structural cracks, damage, no repairs, or issues whatsoever. Being an 1862 Enfield, it had the opportunity to serve up to 3 years of solid, hard combat duty. Given that realization, the weapon displays quite beautifully, as you can see in the photo's below, despite it's obvious service in combat fighting to defend the South. The bolster area proves it's veteran status with the apparent bolster wear, showing it was fired repeatedly in heavy volume.
Unless you pay the "big bucks" for a Confederate-made weapon (like $12,000+ for a Fayetteville or Richmond), a beautiful displaying Confederate import-marked piece is the easiest and far more affordable option. Being the finest quality, greatest accuracy weapon of their day, a Confederate imported Enfield can not be beat. No serious collection should EVER be without one of these. Ever. And at the price of a Colt Revolver, this one can be yours. No need to overpay somewhere else. And no need to ever wonder or guess if Johnny Reb carried this one.
LAYAWAY
Click On Thumbnails Below For More Pictures
Excellent, Gorgeous, True CS Arsenal Cut-Down M1816 Musketoon
Matching Roman Numerals "II" Inside Stock & Barrel
Fantastic Condition, Triple Cartouches, Threaded Full Length Original Ramrod, Fully Functional
My passion for Confederate cavalry really went deep while relic hunting Confederate cavalry sites while living in Georgia, and now over here in Mississippi. I have been blessed to have hunted sites exclusive to Ross's famous Texas Cavalry Brigade while they were both here in central Mississippi in 1863 through early 1864, as well as their camps and battles within the Atlanta Campaign. I have also hunted where Wirt Adam's Mississippi Cavalry camped and fought here within the Vicksburg Campaign. And what you quickly find is that they were armed majorily with cut-down smoothbore muskets, shotguns, and civilian rifles, until the winter camps and re-supply and equipping in 1862/1863 and again in 1864, when they would receive better and more "proper" cavalry carbine armament. But still, many would carry these classic altered weapons or brought-from-home weapons until the bitter end of the War. As you know, if you are a longtime follower of my website, I happily purvey any legit dug and non-dug cut-down weapons, such as this. This is also the 2nd Roman Numeral-marked specimen I have been blessed with acquiring. The great little story behind this piece is that my great personal friend Tim Prince of College Hill Arsenal was at the Louisville Show a few weeks back, and called me from the show regarding this piece. He told me how it was clearly a "Johnny gun" cut-down, and the legit kind that I would truly love and appreciate, as he knows me and my tastes very well. In no way was this cut-down in the last few months, few years, or few decades, as the wear and patina show both on the outside, and most importantly, on the inside (beware of junky guns that have been cut-down and patina'd in the last few months or years!) I told him to get it for me without hesitation, as I know Tim's knowledge is impeccable. Upon coming back home that night, Tim decided to take it apart, since he and I discovered another legit CS arsenal cut-down Roman Numeral marked specimen together last year. Sure enough, Tim called me that night after he decided to take it apart and peek underneath...and there are matching Roman Numerals!