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!

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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

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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

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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. 5^th 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.

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!

This very affordable, yet extremely good condition and beautiful specimen illustrates the desperate need for proper cavalry/mounted service weapons of the Confederacy in all theaters, on all fronts during the War.  On August 15, 1863, General Robert E. Lee specifically wrote to JEB Stuart "on the subject of the deficiency of good arms for cavalry," to which he states that, "few cavalry arms are being imported and those manufactured in the Confederacy are generally rejected..."  Full-length rifles were were not practical at all for mounted service, and Lee noted that, "nearly all that had been issued were returned or thrown away..."  The South's only real reliable pool of supply that was of any worth was through existing civilian shotguns and these altered/cut-down military muskets.  Thanks to the recent NSTCW magazine article regarding the wide-spread utilization of shotguns by the South, in correspondence to muskets such as this, we get a full appreciation for Lee's open lamentation regarding the proper arming of their cavalrymen.  The plethora of excavated cut-down muskets that we find just here in the middle Mississippi area for the 1862-1863 operations within this area is astounding.  Absolutely no collector would ever cut-down a beautiful condition Springfield to a musketoon--thus killing the value of the piece by many hundreds of dollars.  And no one after the war would cut-down a smoothbore weapon for "hunting", since there were so many rifles and weapons floating all over the post-war nation.  Oh no.  This weapon offered here is the "real-deal", and this is one of the best cut-down specimens I've had yet.  Pictured below with the weapon is an excavated cut-down .69 caliber smoothbore barrel that my friend "Uncle" Dave Callaway--legendary local relic hunter in these parts--dug decades ago with piles of others from within Wirt Adam's winter camps 1862/63 when they were being re-equipped with better cavalry weapons.  The proof, quite literally, is all around us with such fine dug examples to prove their widespread utilization.

This piece has extremely crisp lockplate markings of "SPRINGFIELD 1826", with the Eagle "US" motif.  The matching 1826 date is found upon the barrel tang, though feint.  Both the metal and wood are absolutely gorgeous, untouched, and in wonderful condition, as you can see in the pictures below.  There are three crisp inspector cartouches--two on the backstock and one under the stock behind the trigger guard.  Perfectly clear initials in the inspector cartouches.  No structural cracks, breaks, chips, no repairs, and virtually free of service wear or tear at all.  The original ramrod was clearly cut-down to proper length and re-threaded at the CS arsenal/shop, and is spectacular.  The barrel length measures 28" long, and was conveniently cut just above the 2nd barrel band & band spring--identical to another previous Florida example of an M1816 original flintlock cut-down musketoon I sold last summer.  They even placed a front sight "bead" aperture on the 2nd barrel band!!!  Excellent mechanics, great bore, and overall NRA/Flayderman's "very good" to minimum "fine" condition piece all-around.  The clear Roman Numerals "II" are found under the barrel and under the barrel upon the stock.  Many other previous inspector marks also found everywhere, crisply and legible.  The barrel proofs are crystal clear, as is the original "S. M. Co." barrel production marking made by Springfield Manufacturing Company (who made the barrel).

All this classic, 100% Confederate cavalry history and beauty...for so little.  And yes--Dave's excavated Wirt Adams Mississippi cavalry cut-down barrel will be for sale shortly, too!  You could get both this non-dug specimen, and an identical dug one!  How cool is THAT?!

LAYAWAY

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Extremely Nice M1854 Austrian Lorenz Rifle

The 2nd-Most Popular Confederate Rifle In The War, Almost Equally So In US

All-Original, Complete, Fully-Functional, Very Good & Better Condition, Import .58 Cal. Specimen

Usually, you find these beauties missing the original ramrod, the sling swivels, or beat to death in combat and abuse over the many years since the War.  But this one is in very good original condition, being complete (excepting for long-range flip-up sight), and fully-functional in every way.  It is a 100% imported and used piece, being that it was re-bored from the original .54 caliber M1854 condition to our standard .58 caliber, and bears no martial Austrian or Belgian markings.  Seeing as Boker (US purchasing agent abroad) and Huse (CS purchasing agent abroad) would acquire tens of thousands of these for their perspective warring armies, both the US and CS soldiers loved the Lorenz, as is was both slightly smaller, lighter, but extremely accurate, and an excellent combat weapon in general.  The Confederates truly endeared the weapon, not only with the common infantryman, but even cavalryman (Forrest's men preferred 2-bander rifles, as they tended to get there fast on horseback, but dismount for the shooting!)  By 1864, the Army of Tennessee had over 30% of their men equipped with Lorenz's--second only to the Enfield Rifle (approx. 40%).  This specimen is the best condition specimen I've had yet, having the classic Austrian beechwood stock in absolutely gorgeous condition.  Virtually free from any blemish whatsoever, it has the smoothest original finish, and excellent appearance.  The metal retains the original "armory bright" finish of the piece with very little wear or scarring, nor pitting.  The weapon also purposely bears no date on the lockplate--another clue as to its strictly exportation sale to our War (many Austrian/Belgian examples sold to us bear no date markings whatsoever).  The original brass-tipped Lorenz ramrod is present, and obviously shows its clear combat utilization, though again, no real bolster wear or burnout, and good bore.  Good, tight mechanics, working on both positions (and if you know your Lorenz's, you know the "prime" or "half-cock" position is just barely above the nipple!  It works perfectly!)

Overall, a very good and better displaying specimen than you typically see offered for sale, and for a very reasonable price...

LAYAWAY

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Rare & Beautiful Jenks Breechloading "Mule Ear" Percussion Carbine by N. P. Ames

1846 Dated -- Ames & Jenks Maker-Marked -- "USN" Marked

The Premium (30%+) Original Smoothbore Specimen (Flayderman's Guide)

Extremely Scarce Pre-Mexican War Naval/Marine/Dragoon Breechloading Carbine

Around 4000 Made -- .54 Caliber -- Among Earliest US Model Breechloader Carbines

 You know how I love to parade the ultra-rare pieces before you!  And my friends, this one has got everything in that department going for it!  Unless you are a true "hardcore" carbine or 19th Century firearms fanatic, you have probably never seen or heard of this one.  And with good reason.  That are indeed THAT RARE TO FIND!  And being a pre-Mexican War rifled breechloading carbine, you know how there weren't many of them made, nor many of them surviving today to be seen.  Just about any facet of this piece appeals to a collector in some way.  Putting the rarity aside (around 4000 ever made between 1843 and 1846), it was a revolutionary design for its day and age.  The lift-up rearward breech lever was simpler and easier than the previous grand-daddy breechloading design of the Hall Breachloading block weapons, to which this lift-up design of the Jenks would later be utilized in such carbine designs as the Merrill Carbine.  You will also quickly notice the amazing and unique "mule ear" hammer percussion firing system.  The side-hammer design was being introduced and utilized in both military and civilian rifles around the world, though the "fad" of this design would quickly fade-out after the 1840's (when it first was being tinkered with on firearms).  The Jenks Carbine has the distinction of being the ONLY US MILITARY FIREARM accepted with the "mule-ear" design (side-hammer).  The advantage of this design was in having fewer parts required for firing, thus making production easier, cheaper, and less problems in the field.  Soldiers and target shooters liked it because no visual impairment or intrusion in their line-of-sight peripheral vision.  Then you will note that there are no ramrods at all for these Jenks, as being truly the first of the US accepted carbines to forgo the need/use of the ramrod for their breechloading (the Hall breechloader series still retained ramrods "just in case" for muzzle-loading, and for worming stuck minnie's).  Nice, small, compact, light, and extremely reliable and effective, the .54 caliber Jenks Carbine was quickly tested by the US military, letting US Dragoons field test them in the early 1840's, and the US Navy/Marines placing orders for them and issuing in service.  Being made right before the Mexican War, they obviously saw service with the Navy/Marines, as well as the Dragoons, as the US needed every modern weapon in the field (and aboard ship) that they could find for the War with Mexico.  By the Civil War, all the ones in Federal Arsenals were quickly placed into immediate service with the US Cavalry and Navy, but all US pieces had the original circular loading breech aperture (hole) elongated into a long "oval" so it would accept an entire paper cartridge.  Any of the smoothbore examples were also immediately rifled.  This piece is NOT altered from the original circular aperture, and still smoothbore, and thus was a weapon that did NOT serve the Federals!!!  So, it has the very legitimate probability of being a "Johnny Reb" specimen!  And perhaps the coolest is the fact it is the original smoothbore version and circular aperture--since having one in the original configurations makes them worth (per Flayderman's Guide to Antique US Firearms) 30% or more price and value premium more than their counterparts.

Though designed by William Jenks of Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts, the weapon would be produced by none-other than the famous N. P. Ames Company of Springfield--typically most noted for their swords.  A later version of this Jenks Carbine would actually be turned over to production to the equally famous Remington to produce.  The maker markings of "W. JENKS" and "N.P.AMES/SPRINGFIELD/MASS" are seen upon the lockplate.  As well, upon the top of the barrel is the "USN" and inspector proof "P" and the date of 1846.  Though the metal obviously has some light pitting upon the piece, the weapon is complete and original, and in excellent fully-functional condition.  The stock is absolutely GORGEOUS, as you can see in the photo's below.  Very little field service wear to be seen, and a truly solid example of such a rare and unique grand-daddy carbine, being state-of-the-art over 160 years ago!

Priced less than Burnside's, Smith's, Starr's, Spencer's, Sharps', and other "run-of-the-mill" carbines, you can have the rarest of the rare!  Priced well below its market value, but above-average in beauty.

Sale Pending

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Good Original, Complete, Fully-Functional Colt M1851 .36 Caliber "Navy" Revolver

All-Matching Serial Number 131999 (Late 1862 Production) -- Serial Range Match 6th New York Cavalry

Initials Carved Into Inside of Frame--Believed to be Private Cornelius VanPatten (Company E, New York City, Wagoner By Trade)

Such a classic, iconic Civil War and American firearm in general (for all time), the Colt Model 1851 .36 caliber "Navy" revolver is as revered today as the day it was made.  This specimen in particular shares in that history, specifically being a clear martial piece, within the TIGHT serial range of being issued to the 6th New York Volunteer Cavalry, from the New York City area.  When I was taking it apart to give it the "look over," I quickly noticed the 4-letter initials hand-carved into the inside of the frame (under the grips).  There was a clear and pretty "CVCP" (or possibly "CVBP"--that third initial is hard to discern between a C or B or even G).  When I looked within the roster of the 6th NY, I thought there could be no way in the world I could find someone with 4 letters for their initials matching this...but was I wrong!  There is indeed a Cornelius J. V. B. VanPatten!  He's got a whole lot of matching initials to match with all of these!  We'll truly never know, but there's no doubt that it's a 6th NY cavalry serial number (several specimens from Company H alone within a mere few digits), and this was the only man in the unit with so many names, and matching initials at that.  VanPatten enlisted on September 27th, 1861, as a Wagoner from New York City, being 27 years old.  He would continue to be a Wagoner and a Private in Company E until July 9th, 1863, when he was reported as "deserted"!  (which would help explain how this weapon made it home, if it was his!) He did receive a pension after the War.

The weapon is 100% complete and intact, being fully-functional in every way.  Crisp mechanics on this original beauty.  Soft, faded blued hue all over the weapon--a kind of "smoky" appearance, akin to a gun-metal grey.  All the 131999 serial numbers are matching and found everywhere--under the loading lever, the cylinder (though very feint), the frames and under the grip--though the wedge is a hand-forged period-correct replacement wedge (typical for a truly service-used weapon).  The Colt address is visible on top of the barrel.  The rifling is good all the way down, and even all of the original nipples are present and in good condition (not batted or boogered to death at all).  There is a martial sub-inspector "R" mark upon the brass frame.  Deep, rich tone to the pretty walnut grips which are intact. 

Great US-used piece New York cavalry Colt Navy....and in honor of it's New York status, priced at an "offer you can't refuse...."

LAYAWAY

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Scarce & Wonderful Harpers Ferry 1815 "Transitional" Type I Original Flintlock Musket

Very Rare Transition Flintlock Musket (Between the Contract 1808's, US M1812 & M1816) by Harpers Ferry

This one had me, Rafael Eledge, and Tim Prince "buzzing"!  When you get a Harpers Ferry dated 1815, knowing that they didn't make M1812's, that it is not necessarily what has been labeled in the collecting community as an "1808 contract musket," and clearly can't be a M1816 since it is 1815 dated.  What has been noted is that there is a "transitional" phase in weapons made by Harpers Ferry and Springfield (and with their sub-contractors) leading into more standardized specifications and attributes within the more established M1816 flintlock muskets.  Really cool!  The piece is in the original flintlock configuration, and all of the original pieces are present as you can see, excepting for the sling swivels.  The walnut stock is still in wonderful intact condition, with no refinishing, no cracking or chipping, and no repairs whatsoever.  Very little wear at ALL to be seen on this beauty--which is amazing, being as it is 194 years old!!!   The original ramrod is present and full-length, though the threads are completely worn off, or literally never were there in the first place.  But that ramrod is ORIGINAL and full length!  The mechanics, though light, are still functional, and still even retains what truly appears to be the original flint (or at least what was left in there way back in the 1800's the last time someone used it).  The metal has a most pleasing mellowed and untouched bright finish (typical of the "armory bright" regulations for these weapons during that time), with crisp barrel proofs ("US" in oval and eagle's head with "P"), and the Harpers Ferry 1815 marking upon the rear of the lockplate--though light--is legible.  Good bore, and great full functionality to the flintlock battery.  The frizzen pan, frizzen, and breech hole are quite clean, and there is no bolster burn or wear at all, so this one was never abused or overused.  The stock bears other inspector marks/proofs, especially the "AT" clearly upon the backstock.  Showing it was truly a US military proofed and purchased weapon, it is a wonderful surviving specimen that will adorn your collection.  There is always something majestic, elegant, and appealing about a beautiful flintlock.  This one not only excels in the beauty exuded by it, but a very scarce "transitional" Harpers Ferry 1815 production piece at that.  Good luck finding such a pretty original flintlock with such rarity anywhere near this price...

LAYAWAY

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Fantastic Original M1863 Remington New Model Army .44 Cal. Revolver

Clear Martial Cartouche on Grip -- All Matching Serial 77380 (Mid-War Production)

Complete, Original, and Fully-Functional in Every Way -- Beautiful Wartime Issued Specimen

This might classify as the "world's cheapest" martially-marked, original, complete, and fully-functional New Model Remington Army Revolver, given the pretty condition it is in!  The New Model Remington "Army" revolver (NMA) is within the pantheon of iconic Civil War and Western handguns of America.  Only the Colt can possibly beat the reputation, desirability, and collectability of the Remington.  It was clearly the closest competitor to Colt during and after the War, and both manufacturers are still today the names of quality and reputation in producing fine firearms.  This beauty has all-matching production serial numbers of 77380, seen under the barrel and on the grip frame under the nice original walnut grips.  Over 115,000 of these NMA Remington's were produced from 1863 until the end of the War, and this one is clearly a mid-war/early 1864 production piece.  Best of all, the nice government martial inspector's cartouche is visible on the grip, with only little wear.  The weapon has a fantastic untouched patina to all the surfaces of the metal which appear a "smoky" faded gray/blue from the original blued finish.  The Remington patent info and maker's address are also seen atop the barrel rather well.  All parts and pieces are original, and no parts missing, broken, cracked, or otherwise detracting to the weapon.  There is only minimal service wear from actual combat and campaign service to be seen anywhere, and it displays wonderfully, as you can see in the photos below.

Priced more like the year 1999, here's your chance to get a nice martially-marked, mid-war, all-original Remington Army at an unbeatable price...

LAYAWAY

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Beautiful, Untouched Original US Lehman-Style Conversion .69 Cal. Musket

Complete in Every Way, Fully-Functional, Wickham (Philadelphia) Contract Specimen

NRA/Flayderman's "Very Good" to "Fine" Condition Piece!!!

Offered here is a wonderfully beautiful original Lehman-style percussion conversion (from original flintlock) .69 caliber smoothbore musket made well before the Civil War.  These sturdy, massive flintlocks were the mainstay of the American armed forces from 1816, through the Mexican War and Indian conflicts, and were the largest quantity of weapons available at the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861.  Both Northern and Southern Arsenals quickly grabbed these available weapons, converted them from flintlock to percussion firing systems, and put them immediately into service in the field.  Though the Federal armies would quickly replace them with rifled, modern weapons, these .69 smoothbores would continue to be a mainline battle weapon, especially in the Western and Trans-Mississippi Theaters (where men were lucky to have ANY weapons at all: i.e., Marmaduke's CS raid into Missouri in 1864 was with a force of several thousand ragged Confederates, of whom over 1/3rd were NOT ARMED AT ALL!  THAT is how desperate things really were in some parts of the Confederacy, even in 1864!)  Look at any armed CS image, and chances are you will see a M1816, M1842, or myriad of other older military smoothbores, personal shotguns and rifles, and even flintlocks! 

This piece offered here is in lovely original, untouched condition, having a beautiful smooth, dark, un-altered, original patina over all metal surfaces evenly.  Matching the metal appearance is the fine original finish of the walnut stock, with virtually no wear, cracks, chips, and no repairs whatsoever.  The lockplate is unmarked, but is clearly a Wickham (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania maker) style specimen, which was noted for making these weapons under contract for state militia's and arsenals.  Also consistent with the lockplate are no martial markings or proofs on the barrel or backstock.  Rafael Eledge of Shiloh Relics has an identical specimen, and again, it is a noted state contract musket that is attributed to Wickham (or sub-supplier of Wickham).  The conversion from flintlock to percussion is the classic Lehman Type I conversion bolster/cone arrangement.  Everything is present and original on this piece, from every screw, the ramrod, both sling swivels, right down to every nipple.  What's really cool about this piece is that it clearly has an original Enfield hammer!  Obviously not the original Wickham hammer, but a tantalizing and unique "in-the-field" and "make-do" improvisation, which is a super-cool touch!  Fitting the piece perfectly, with matching patina, and functioning flawlessly, it clearly looks like it was a period alteration, and quite easily have been done at the time of the conversion, or at worst, in the field to keep the weapon operational.  The ramrod, though original and full-length, has no threading left, either from being stripped/worn, or from a longer original ramrod.  The action is crisp and smooth, and the bore just fine.  It could easily be utilized by a reenactor or NSSA shooter today!  But I think it is WAY too pretty for that!

Truly beautiful, representative weapon of the US and CS, as well as Mexican War-era, and at a cheap price to boot!

$798

Beautiful JS/Anchor-Marked CS-Imported British Enfield Rifle & Bayonet

1862 Tower Lockplate, Birmingham Barrel Proofs & Stock-Maker's Cartouche,  Buttplate Tang Marked "2354 B"

Offered here is a very attractive and quite affordably-priced example of a true Confederate import-marked British .577 cal. 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.  They have 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.  It also bears the brass buttplate tang, exclusively CS importer numbering of "2354 B".  All JS/Anchor specimens noted today bear the alpha-numeric markings upon the buttplate.  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. 5^th 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 upon the stock by the trigger guard, with the "2354 B" number vividly etched into the buttplate tang.  The lockplate is marked "Tower 1862" with crown stamping, and the barrel has the expected Birmingham proof (the 25 gauge Birmingham proof marks).  The stock also bears the very clear and legible "C. W. James Birmingham" stock-maker's cartouche on the right side, as well as the equally clear "C. W. James" mark underneath the stock by the trigger guard.  Mechanical action works 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 a very pretty tone and patina to the overall patina.  Noticeably, it bears many of the typical CS alterations, such as the middle barrel band removed (purposely), a cheek-rest carved into the left side of the stock, and like so many surviving example, the rear long-range sight is missing.  The ramrod is original and full-length, and with this piece is a great-fitting original Enfield bayonet with matching patina.  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, 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.

SOLD   $2695

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