Firearms
Remington .44caliber New Army Revolver with 8-inch octagonal barrel. The iron is smooth throughout with moderate dings around the loading lever and cylinder release and around the safety notches and nipples on the cylinder, otherwise no pitting noted with the metal having a nice gun metal gray look. The barrel has the brass sight present as well as a nice address mark which is still visible reading "Patented Sept 14 1858 / E.Remington & Sons. Ilion New York.U.S.A." The action works very nicely and is crisp but not overly tight with the cylinder indexing well and the hammer responding to the trigger. The two piece walnut grips are original and the left one does have the government inspector's cartouche approving it for military service. I removed the grips to see if the serial number matched the rest of the frame and it does. To my surprise there were initials carved into both grips of "JH". The loading lever works and reveals the serial number underneath the barrel. The serial number (17385) puts this gun at an early production date of 1863. There were approximately 122,000 New Models made commencing at about serial number 15,000. With the cartouche along with various other inspector's marks and the overall wear of the gun, there is no doubt this saw service during the war.
M1863 .44caliber Single Action Starr Revolver with all matching serial numbers. The iron is smooth with virtually no pitting noted and has a nice mellow gun metal gray throughout the piece. All of the markings can be read on all parts including: Serial number on the cylinder, patent and date information on both sides of the frame, inspector's marks 'B' & 'L', and the serial number on the frame. The action works well and the hammer responds to the trigger with the cylinder indexing appropriately every time. The walnut grips are original and show wear and use as on might expect. Looking at the images, you will not that the butt of the grip shows considerable dings a bumps, the grip is stable and has its profile, but is mentioned for exactness. The frame screw does come out allowing the frame to tip forward exposing the cylinder, which has all of the original nipples. The front sight is present on the 8-inch barrel. This is a really nice looking gun and I would classify it as above average. There were approximately 32,000 of these manufactured between 1863-1865 and the serial number started off where the double action left off at about 23,000, giving this one a nice early production date (1863) with very high probability of seeing use with a serial number at 28799.
.52cal single shot 'folding trigger' derringer with 3-inch octagonal barrel. This is quite an eye catching piece overall with engraving throughout the gun including the barrel. The single piece walnut grips have silver inlay down the back, which is almost always missing in these types of specimens. The grips do show some wear but to the extent where the original finish has worn off. The action works good with the engraved hammer pulling back and exposing the trigger which all works appropriately when fired. The nipple is present as well. There is an oval with 'BC' in the center on the right of the frame. The iron is in overall good condition with little to no pitting noted.
Approximately .40cal single shot 'center hammer' Allen & Wheelock percussion derringer with a 5-inch half octagonal/round barrel. The iron is smooth throughout most of the gun with some pitting noted around the hammer and nipple from firing. It has a nice mellow gun metal gray look to it. The brass bead site is present at the muzzle. The two-piece walnut grips are original and are in relatively good shape showing dings at the bottom. The serial number on the barrel, on the frame (underneath the grips) and on the walnut grips all match at '899'. The barrel flat on the left of the gun has a faint memory of the gun's markings. These 'in-line' or 'straight away' pistols as they are known were manufactured between 1858-1865 with a wide variety of barrel lengths (3"-6") and caliber combinations. The action works well, with the hammer pulling back and responding to the trigger. Another fine example of the many types and variations of obscure pistols born out of the mid-19th century.
.50cal Belgian single shot pistol with beautiful engraving. The 5.5-inch octagon barrel, which screws off, has the front sight and is in overall great condition. It has the swivel loading lever channel attached on the bottom. The frame has great uniform engraving throughout, even on the trigger guard, that stands out very nicely. You can see left of the frame is the standard Belgian E/LG mark. The single piece walnut grip is in good condition, showing the typical dings & mars. It does have a cap compartment on the bottom, which can be seen in the images. It too has a matching engraving as the frame. The action works appropriately and the hammer responds to the trigger. The cool thing about this pistol is that I also have an excavated frame, barrel, and loading lever channel of this exact type which was recovered from Northern Mississippi. I will offer it to the person who purchases this first before I list it separately.
Second Model, 3rd Type .36caliber Whitney Revolver with 7.5" octagon barrel. The iron has a nice dark attic look throughout with little to no pitting, leaving the iron smooth. The action works perfectly every time with the hammer responding to the trigger. The loading lever is held with the wedge type latch and works appropriately. There is a name of 'Carrie' on the original walnut grips, which are also serial numbered and match the other numbers stamped on the barrel and loading lever (10894 K). The serial number as the barrel marking "E. Whitney / N. Haven" can easily be read. All of the nipples are present in the cylinder and are original. The front sight on the barrel is a nice replacement. The Whitney's production dates between the late 1850's into the early 1860's and was one of the most highly regarded revolvers during the Civil War. In fact, most of the Second Model would be purchased through contract by both Federal & State. This is a solid gun overall with really nice eye appeal and all the extras.
Early production M1864 Joslyn single shot carbine in overall good condition. This .52 rimfire caliber carbine has a 22" barrel and the iron is in overall good condition with some mild pitting underneath the barrel, forward the arm stock. All of the iron has a nice dark aged patina throughout, even the butt-plate. All of the hardware is present including the sling ring on bar, the front & rear sight. The rear sight is frozen in place, possibly with a little work it can be freed up. The action works and the hammer does respond to the trigger. The breech block does rotate up when the knob release is pulled and the two-lined patent information can be read on the rear face of block. On top of the block, behind the gas vent is the serial number as " M / 477". This number can also be found on the 2-inch tang. The walnut stock has an overall dark hughe, which goes nicely with the gun, and shows the normal dings noted on a gun of this age. There is wear on the stock front of the barrel band, underneath for front portion of the lock and near the base of the unmarked butt-plate. Again, nothing that one wouldn't expect for its age, but rather mentioned for exactness. The bore is clean and still shows rifling. According to Reilly (United States Military Small Arms 1861-1865), Joslyn Firearms Company continued to utilized the unused M1862 lock plates on the early production M1864 and though it is not mentioned, the M1862 butt-plate was unmarked as opposed to the M1864 which had the 'US'. This is just a really nice looking gun overall and I feel represents the transitional phase from the M1862 through the M1864. The US Government purchased approximately 8,000 Joslyns according to Flayderman and were issued in part to the following units: 4th & 8th Indiana, 13th Tennessee, 9th Pennsylvania, 3rd West Virginia, 2nd Wisconsin, and 11th Ohio just to name a few.
M1851 .36cal Navy revolver with iron grip straps. The overall condition of the gun is above average with a bright finish and minor pitting peppered throughout the gun. The serial number is all matching even on the wedge with a 28,663 number giving it an 1853 production date. The action is super crisp, more so than I have seen on most Colts, and the cylinder indexes perfectly. All of the markings are easily read, including the address on the barrel "Address Sam Colt New York City" and the serial number on all of the parts. The loading lever works appropriately, however the top section of the latch is broken off and missing in action. However the catch still works and holds the lever tightly up under the 7.5" octagonal barrel. The original walnut grips are in overall good condition with the typical dings and good sized splotches of original finish. This gun is a great looking specimen and is a good early production gun. Being such an early pre-war manufacture this gun would go great in either a Confederate or Federal display and one I'm sure you would be proud to own.
M1860 Spencer Carbine w/ government cartouches. This is a really nice looking M1860 which is showing the typical age and use a carbine of this type does. The iron is smooth throughout and shows no pitting. There are some period dings noted around the contact points from it banging against the saddle or use in general. It has a nice gun-metal look throughout, peppered with dark aging evenly throughout. The wood has a nice aging throughout with the normal dings and mars noted. The forstock has worn away near the breach as commonly seen on the Spencers. The butt-stock is solid with on two small hairline cracks running from the frame on either side. These are not deep and typically not mentioned, but only done here for exactness. You can also see on one side of the butt stock where there was apparently a label at one time. The images tell the tale on the overall condition. All of the components are present including the side bar with the ring. The loading tube is correct for this model of Spencer as is the barrel markings which can be seen. The serial number on this gun is 41472, which is a good number range to have. Typically this range is found to be within the middle of series of guns that were issued to troops as replacement arms or upgrades. Wilder's brigade Spencer Carbines that were issued were in the 40XXX range when some of the units traded in their rifles for the carbines. The best part about this gun, which you don't see on many are both of the inspector's/government cartouches. Typically these were stamped so lightly that they wore off by virtue of where they are located. The guns action works perfectly, the block drops, hammer moves in all positions and responds to the trigger. All appropriate metal components are stamped, the rear ring is present as is the long range site. This is a reasonably priced Spencer Carbine with the popularity and price of these increasing.
Second Model Manhattan 22caliber Pocket Revolver with 3-inch octagon barrel. This 22-caliber rimfire revolver has a nice mellow patina throughout its brass frame. The two piece walnut grips are original and show the typical wear as to be expected. There are no repairs or cracks noted. The iron frame and cylinder show surface oxidation and could be cleaned to show the bright finish underneath. The engraving on both sides of the barrel shows up very nicely and really give the gun a nice look. The cylinder scene of the 'Indian & Settler' motif can be seen over 90% of the cylinder, but again some surface oxidation covers up part of it. It can be made out underneath, and again, some cleaning will help this tremendously. Both barrel markings show up very well and are easily read, including the patent information underneath the barrel and the 'Manhattan Fire Arms Mf'G. Co New York' on top. The brass blade sight is also present. The action works very well with the cylinder indexing every time and the hammer responds to the trigger. The serial number is all matching on the frame (under the grips) and the cylinder #2971. There was approximately 8,000 of these 2nd model pistols made between 1861-1862 & 1868-1873; I do not know the serial number cut off. The barrel does tip up when the latch is released. The hinge does not have any damage to it as to be expected with a mechanism such as this. These do resemble a Smith & Wesson almost to a T, subsequently production was halted by a lawsuit as a result of this.
Bruce and Davis double barrel pistol ca. 1850's. This unique .36cal single-triggered pistol has 4-inch round barrels with a brass bead site present. The manufacturer date is stamped on the barrel as: 55 Bruce & Davis Cast Steel (which is double stamped), all which can be seen. The iron is smooth with a dark patina throughout with only minimal pitting noted around the nipples, which are both original. There is still some scroll work evident on the frame which accents the overall look of the gun. The walnut grips are original and show the normal dings and mars noted on a gun of its age. The action works perfectly, but wait, two hammers for one trigger? Yep, and both pull back and one trigger takes care of both. The small wooden ramrod could possibly be a replacement, but the sleeve located under the barrel is original. This is a great looking piece which illustrates one more of the many variations of firearms that have come out of the mid 19thcentury.
Bacon single shot pistol made early to mid-1860's. This .32cal rimfire pistol with a 5" octagon barrel is in overall great condition. The frame and barrel have a nice smooth finish with no pitting noted anywhere. The frame has a nice scroll work noted on both sides and the small lettered patent information can be seen on the top of the barrel. The action works perfectly and the hammer responds to the trigger. The barrel does pivot when the release is pushed. Both grips are in overall good condition with no dings or repairs noted. The brass front site is present. There were approximately 800 of this model made, making this one probably manufactured towards the end of this model with a serial number of '797'. There were three versions of the model made, this being the second one.
Model 3D Sharps and Hankins 32cal. 4-shot pepperbox. In overall good condition, the iron has a nice smooth feel, with some surface discoloration peppered throughout. It has nice wood grips with some minor dings noted, no repairs. The serial number shows up well on the butt of the grip, being 10535. The plunger release works well allowing the barrels to slide forward for loading. Action works well, with the hammer responding to the trigger appropriately. Sharps and Hankins address shows up well on the 3 1/2 -inch barrel, which has the original brass site. The memory of the Sharps patent information on the right of the frame can still be seen and the images are a good reference for this. A nice gun overall.
Early Production Gallager Carbine which has a bright finish, however most all of the markings and serial numbers can be easily seen. The iron is in overall good condition with a smooth feel and no pitting noted except around the nipple area, which is to be expected. The lock-plate has 'Gallager / 1809' which is an interesting variation over the more commonly seen one with the patent date information. I don't believe it was ever there, because there is not even a memory of that marking there, while the other markings show up very well. Also, it should be noted that Reilley's United States Military Small Arms 1816-1865 page 131, notes that there are some early variations that do not bear the mark of the manufacturing site in Philadelphia and it is believed that these models were manufactured under the direct supervision of Mahlon J. Gallager, who was a Southerner and is noted by two sources as being from Savannah, Georgia and one source notes him as being from South Carolina. The serial number is matching on the patch box cover, loading lever, and lockplate. The action works perfectly and is smooth, also the hammer responds to all positions and to the trigger. The nipple is original, though the bolster clean-out screw is missing. The walnut stock show normal wear and dings, was possibly refinished at one time, however there appears to be no repairs or wood filler noted. It also has the original sling-ring bar w/ ring present. The loading lever latch is present and holds it into place. It also has the original rear and front site. The bore is clean with rifling still evident. A nice looking gun overall and is nice if your in the market for a mid-grade Gallager that won't run into the 2's; plus its an early production, which almost certainly guarantees that it saw service, in fact we have dug a few Gallager's here at Donelson which was from the occupation here post the 1862 battle -and - more commonly along the N&NWRR from Nashville to Johnsonville which was patrolled by many a union cavalry units operating out of Nashville. This carbine saw extensive use in both theaters throughout the war between 1861-1865 which is telling by the 8-million percussion cartridges purchased by the Government at a cost of over $200,000. (Update on the description. If you look just left of the hammer, you will see what appears to be a '0'. I now believe that this is what's left of the patent date information which is 'Patented July 17th, 1860'. We want our descriptions to be as accurate as possible and will correct them accordingly.)
M1863 Starr Army revolver in overall good condition. The action works well with the hammer responding to all positions and to the trigger; cylinder indexes appropriately. The iron is smooth throughout most all of the gun with smatterings of original bluing still present. There is some mild surface pitting on the frame, forward of the cylinder and near the hammer, obviously due to firing. The gun is all original with the exception of the hammer screw, which is a proper replacement. The Starr patent information is legible on both sides of the frame. The serial number is all matching on the frame, cylinder and in the hammer channel. The grips are original and I believe there is a memory of the cartouche on the upper right side, though I cannot get a good image of it and there are the inspector's 'C' on the barrel and cylinder. All of the nipples are present and original and the dgun shows use and the normal dings as to be expected. These pistols were manufactured by Starr Arms Co, New York City between 1863-1865 with approximately 32,000 being made. The government contracted approximately 25,000 of these revolvers and they started in where the double action army left off at a 23,000. The serial number on this gun is 39472 which gives a probable late 1863-1864 production date. This handgun was only second to Remington and Colt in regard to Government purchase and popularity among Union cavalrymen.
A great looking Type I Gwyn & Campbell Carbine in overall great condition. The iron is smooth with a dark hughe throughout. There is very little to no pitting on most all of the gun, only typical pitting seen as a result of firing in areas around the nipple and breech. All of the components are original including the sling ring and long range site (which is the long base indicating earlier production). The action works well, with the hammer responding to all positions. The loading lever drops the block exposing a bore with some rifling still evident. Characteristic of the Type I is the long serpent like loading lever and the locking latch that is still present and functional. The arching 'Gwyn & Campbell' over the patent date is still present and easily read, with only the 'Hamilton' being faint. "Union / Rifle" is faint, but is discernable on the front right frame. The serial number (4440) is consistent on all of the gun parts including the buttplate, barrel, loading lever, and block. The walnut stock is in overall good condition with a nice dark look. It has the typical dings and bumps from seeing action and a small sliver right behind the frame & hammer as a result of the stress from firing. A government cartouche can easily be seen on the left of the stock indicating that it was approved for government service. The overall look of the gun is remarkable as most are due to their being issued midway through the war. This is one of the most unique weapons produced during the Civil War. Also known as the 'Grapevine Carbine', this unique .52 caliber gun was designed by Edward Gwyn and Abner C. Campbell of Hamilton, Ohio between 1863 and 1864. This particular carbine was successor to the Cosmopolitan Carbine, which was manufactured in the same factory. Several Union cavalry units utilized the Gwyn & Campbell including the 7th Tennessee; 5th & 8th Ohio; 4th & 8th Missouri; 2nd & 3rd Arkansas; 2nd & 3rd Iowa; 2nd, 6th, 14th Kansas; 10th, 12th, 14th Kentucky; and 5th, 16th, & 6th Illinois (Grierson's Raiders).
Here is a great looking M1849 with 4-inch barrel. The gun is in overall exceptional condition with hints of case color throughout. The iron has a nice smooth gun metal gray with virtually no pitting except around the nipples, indicating use. The markings throughout the gun are easily read including the New York barrel marking. The serial number is matching on all parts of the gun, including the wedge, which indicates a mid-1864 production date. The most captivating characteristic of the gun is the cylinder scene which is so vivid, you can see the expression of the ladies face in the stagecoach being held up. All of the nipples in the cylinder are all original and in good shape. The action is tight, the cylinder indexes appropriately and the hammer responds to the trigger. You can nearly hear click of the action. The walnut grips have a dark hughe and show the normal dings, however there are no chips or repairs noted anywhere. The brass has a nice mellow look and ties the overall appearance of the gun together. This is an absolutely great looking M1849 pocket that I'm sure would accentuate most revolver collections.
Mid-grade 5th Model Burnside Carbine in nice attic condition. The iron has a nice dark hughe throughout and is mildly pitted evenly throughout the gun. All of the components are present except the ring on the sling bar. The action works perfectly, with the block dropping easily with this model's characteristic guide screw in place. The serial number matches on the block and frame, being 12931. There is a memory of the Burnside marking above the serial number on the frame, which interestingly enough has the patent date as 1856 and not the often encountered 1864. The hammer pulls back in all positions and is tight, it also responds to the trigger. The wood is in overall good condition and shows the normal dings and mars of service. During its life, there has been a feeble attempt to fill some of the areas with wood filler. This could be removed, otherwise the fore stock and butt stock is in good condition with no active cracks. There is one sliver wood gone long ago right of the tang, behind the hammer. Its small and is mentioned for exactness. The markings on the lockplate can be easily read with the naked eye. This gun is definitely not a wall hanger by any means, however this would fit the bill for someone looking for a Burnside that doesn't want to pay the minty price.
.32cal Moore's Patent front loading teat revolver in overall good condition. The iron has a nice smooth patina throughout mild pitting noted. The brass frame, with scroll work, has a nice mellow patina throughout. The walnut grips are original and the right one has two small areas missing, one up under where it meets the frame and the other along the back strap, both can be seen in the images. The grips are not loose as a result of this, but are rather mentioned so there are no surprises. The action works perfectly, with the cylinder indexing every time. The hammer does respond to all position and the trigger. The serial number can be easily read underneath the barrel running perpendicular the barrel '23671' and the barrel marking can also be seen 'National Arms Co. Brooklyn, NY'. It does have the hinged swivel gate which swivels down, allowing the user to load the gun and eject the casings. The barrel cylinder markings are faint, however are listed as "Williamson's Patent / Jan. 5, 1864". The brass blade sight is also present. These guns were manufactured between 1864-1870 with an approximate number of 30,000 being made. Though most made post war, on occasion you will see the ads for this gun, along with the Prescott revolver, in war date Harper's Weekly newspapers.
Nice looking European copy of the Smith and Wesson Model 2 revolver. The iron has a bright finish with moderate pitting throughout. The cylinder indexes appropriately and the hammer does respond to the trigger. There is light scroll work down the back strap and frame. The original checkered grips are present and are in good condition. As with its predicate self, the barrel flips up to expel the cylinder for loading and like its predecessor, one ring of the hinge is cracked. It still works appropriately, but is mentioned for exactness. The barrel length measures out at 6in. This one is priced accordingly, but don't let it fool you. The gun does display well and is half the price of the name brand. I mean, come on, I know I'm not the only one out there that's had to drink the Sam's Choice brand every once in awhile!
Really nice looking Tranter in overall good condition. The gun has an overall bright finish with smatterings of case color throughout. There is very minimal pitting noted throughout. There are a couple proof marks present on the frame and 'Tranter's Patent' can be on the cocking trigger. The one piece walnut grips are in good condition with no repairs noted and have a nice checkered pattern. The action on this weapon works perfectly every time with the cylinder indexing. All of the nipples appear to be original and there is nice scroll work throughout the gun. The frame is marked with Tranter's patent number 'No. 3,628. T' on the right side of the frame. These weapons were imported throughout the war by both sides. This is an eye catching example of this British made gun from a well know and prolific gun maker from Birmingham, England.
Great example of Standard model production of the M1842 Percussion Navy Pistol by N.P. Ames, Springfield, Massachussetts and Henry Derringer of Philadelphia. The iron has an overall bright finish throughout, including the swivel loading lever. There is localized pitting around the nipple, which is common among pistols that saw any amount of service, otherwise the rest of the gun has a nice smooth feel. The brass trigger guard shows wear and a hint of yellow remains, however the brass barrel band retains a nice mellow look. The wood has a nice dark hughe and contrast nicely with the overall look of the gun. There are no repairs or cracks that I can see, outside the normal dings. The hammer responds nicely in all positions with a nice crisp sound every time and does respond to the trigger. All of the markings can be easily seen including the 'N.P. Ames / Springfield / Mass' ; The 'USN / 1845' perpendicular to the lockplate. Also near the breach, opposite of the nipple are the proof stamps, 'USN / 1845 / R C / P'. The cartouche is present opposite the hammer on the flat. The loading lever does work and swivel properly. There were approximately 2,000 of these 54caliber smoothbore pistols manufactured and was the first U.S. martial percussion pistol produced and delivered under contract to the Government. This is a great looking example and surely would be a great addition to most pistol, civil war, or navy collections.
M1836 R. Johnson single shot pistol converted to percussion. This gun has great eye appeal with an overall dark hughe throughout. All of the iron, including the barrel band, back strap, and trigger guard have a dark gun metal gray patina throughout. There is some pitting noted exclusively around the nipple and hammer which indicates extensive use. Otherwise the rest of the frame has a nice smooth feel to it. The hammer pulls back in all positions and does respond to the trigger. The swivel loading rod appears to be a replacement, but is done very well and matches the gun perfectly. The wood shows wear and nothing more than to be expected. I note no repairs or active fractures, all of the dings and nicks are smooth and rounded off indicating age. All of the markings are easily read including the 'US / R. Johnson / Middn Conn / 1841' on the lock plate. Opposite the lockplate on the wood are the inspectors marks approving it for government use and its conversion. This can be referenced in Flayderman's ninth edition as conversion 6A-033. This model was the last U.S. martial pistol originally produced in the flintlock ignition system. It would also see extensive use in both the Mexican and Civil War. This is a great example for the money.
.44 Colt Army Revolver (4-screw variant) S/N: 50197. The iron is smooth throughout the gun with very little pitting noted only around the nipples. It has an even dark hughe throughout giving the gun a just out of the attic appearance. The serial number matches throughout except for the wedge (which is a proper replacement), and the cylinder's number cannot be seen. The walnut grips are original and show the normal dings and mars that are to be expected. On the right grip towards the front, is a piece that has splintered off and can be seen in the pictures. This is not active and is stable, its commonly seen on these pistols and is only mentioned for exactness. The action works, but isn't production day tight. The hammer responds to the trigger and the cylinder indexes appropriately. All of the nipples are original and show use. The brass sight is present and along with the trigger guard have a nice mellow patina throughout. You'll notice there is a '2' under the serial number indicating that this particular gun was once a pair number '1' being lost to time or possibly in a collection somewhere. The 8-inch round barrel has the New York address and can be easily seen. This is the type with the four screw variation and notch in the grip strap to be used with a shoulder stock. The serial number indicates an 1862 production and because the four-screw variation was phased out about this time, this is probably out of the last batch that was made for this variation. I note no martial markings on the gun, however the bulk of these were purchased by the government.
.32cal Lucius Pond Revolver with 6-inch octagon barrel. The gun has its original grips that are in overall good shape, no repairs or dings noted. The iron is smooth with an overall dark patina throughout. The barrel address can be read as "L.W. Pond Worcester Mass. Pat'd July 10 1860." It does not have the amended address 'made for Smith & Wesson' which was added on later models due to a patent infringement case that Pond lost. There were several thousand of these made between 1861 through 1870, this one have a serial number of 3001 (on the frame and cylinder), indicating probable early manufacture. The action works perfectly and the frame release does allow the barrel to tip forward as designed. The brass sight is present and there is no pitting noted on the gun.
Allen & Thurber .32cal Pepperbox, probable early transitional model from their Norwich to Worcester manufacturing site. This six shot revolver has a nice gun metal gray appearance throughout with little to no pitting noted anywhere. All of the markings are present, which is sometimes difficult to come across. "Allen & Thurber" "Worcester" / "Patented 1837 Caststeel" respectively. The nipple shield has the trade mark scroll around it and the bar hammer has 'Allen's Patent' easily seen. The scroll work continues down the iron frame. The original walnut grips are present and exhibit no repairs. All of the screws appear original. It has the wide flat barrel ribs and the larger trigger guard. The action is tight and works every time. The nipples are all original and present. Because of the manufacturing location, we can surmise that this gun was produced sometime between 1847-1865. Though not necessarily military issue, these weapons were a favorite among those trying to achieve rapid fire during the mid 19th century. For example, pepperboxes were recovered from the USS Cairo which sank in the Yazoo River and are on display at the Cairo Museum in Vicksburg, Mississippi.
4th Model M1851 Colt Navy .36cal revolver in overall good condition. The iron
frame and barrel have a nice smooth attic look with no pitting noted anywhere.
The brass trigger guard and backstrap have a nice mellow patina as well. The gun
has all matching serial numbers, including the wedge, which is '101690' and
gives the gun a 1861 production date. All of the markings can easily be seen, as
in the images, including the '-Address Col. Sam Colt New-York U.S. America-'.
The 'Colts/Patent' is on the left side of the frame. It does not have the 'US'
or government mark and indicates private purchase. The cylinder retains faint
cylinder scene throughout as well as the serial number, all of the nipples are
original and present. The action is positional, meaning that its the
typical 'when it points down' it, The action works perfectly, the
cylinder rotates and is crisp, the hammer
responds to the trigger. The walnut grips appear original and as you can see
have been personalized a bit with brass tacks which gives the grips 'grip' and a
lanyard swivel at the bottom of the grip. I do believe this to be period to the
gun. On the bottom, near the swivel is a 'W' scratched into the brass and along
the right wood grip, very lightly, is etched "Capt. ???????", if held under
natural light, with a glass it appears like 'Semple' or 'Semphe'. I tried to
capture it with the camera and you can just barely make it out, which again, I
believe to be period to the gun. There are a few Semples that popped up, however
one sticks out, "William Semple, Captain of the 5th Pennsylvania infantry,
company A." There were no 'Semphe's' that were found. I'll let the new owner do
the full research as I'm sure there is plenty left on this one. All of this
aside, its an honest gun and a great example of one of the most popularized and
sought after gun of the 19th Century.
Here is a terrific London marked .31caliber M1849 Pocket with 6"-barrel. The walnut grips are in overall excellent condition with very few dings from age. The iron frame shows little pitting, mostly around the cylinder and virtually none down the barrel. It has an overall smooth gunmetal gray look with scant traces of casehardening throughout. This particular model has the steel grip straps and trigger guard which is synonymous with the later London model. The barrel address 'Address. Col. Colt / LONDON.' and it can easily be seen and stands out vividly. The other markings such as the serial number and British proof marks are also eye catching, with being easily recognized on the cylinder and barrel. The cylinder's 'stagecoach holdup scene' is as clear as any gun I have ever seen and I would have no problem saying that it is 98% there and all of that can be seen with the naked eye. The serial number & Colt's patent mark is also very clear. The action is crisp as the day it was made, as you can feel every click as the hammer is pulled back. The cylinder indexes appropriately every time and the hammer does respond to the trigger. This gun comes encased, in what I and others believe, is an American case of, or very close to the period. The case still has the lock and hinges are secured and the lid closes appropriately. There is no key for the lock. The case is lined with a very deep colored lavender felt. The only worn spots on the material are around the contact points of the gun and on the dividers around the tops. There is no doubt the case was made for the gun as it fits perfectly. The accessories with the weapon include an 'ELEY / London' marked tin of percussion caps. There is a paper label on the bottom with "Great / Britain". The brass dual mold (conical & round) marked 'Colts / Patent' which is worn from age, but can be identified as such. Also included is a small powder flask, which is in overall great condition. The spring release for the cap works and the graduated measurer still slides up and down on the nozzle. It is marked '3/16 ; 4/16 ; 5/16' respectively. It is marked on the cap as 'Dixon & Sons / Sheffield' and is easily seen. After conferring with a colleague of mine, it was realized that Colt settled with Dixon and Sons to provide powder flasks for their Colt's between 1853 & 1854. The serial number on this weapon "1742" which is all matching, including the wedge, for a manufacture date of 1854. There are some bullets included as well, probably molded later for display purposes. This is one of the finest guns I have ever had the opportunity to offer in a very long time and is one of few London marked Colts with the desirable 6-inch barrel, clear proof marks & cylinder scene, and an very catchy eye appeal that I have ever seen.
Type I, Model No. 3 Remington Double Deringer "Over-Under Deringer". Great looking little gun with a bright finish overall. No pitting noted, however there is a nice smooth attic patina throughout. The checkered hard rubber grips are in good condition with no cracks or repairs noted. The action works in all positions and the hammer responds to the hammer. The barrel marking shows up really well: "REMINGTON ARMS CO., ILION, N.Y." It has a low serial number of 295. The barrel release works and allows the barrel to tip forward. The bummer with this one is that the hinge is cracked on one side, which is a common trait among this model. There were approximately 80,000 of these made between 1888-1911.
2nd Model Double Action .36caliber J.M. Cooper Navy Revolver with 5-inch octagon barrel. The walnut grips are original and in overall good condition with no cracks or repairs noted. The brass back strap and oversized trigger guard has a nice mellow patina throughout. The iron frame and barrel have a nice attic gray patina and show no pitting and have a nice smooth feel throughout. All of the markings are present and easily read, including the barrel address and patent information. The serial number matches throughout, except for the wedge, which has no number. The double action works perfectly every time, with the cylinder indexing perfectly. The hammer responds to the trigger and is tight. J.M. Cooper manufactured approximately 15,000 of these weapons between 1864-1869. There are no known government contracts for this weapon, nonetheless, weapons such as this found their way to the battlefield on numerous occasions. With the popularity of the Colt, many manufacturers were after some of the glory and mostly money, and as you can see the Cooper Navy was no different, with many striking similarities to the M1862 Pocket Navy.
A great looking M1849 .31cal Colt Pocket w/ 6-inch barrel. The original walnut grips show very little wear and are in relatively great shape. The brass back-strap and trigger guard have a nice mellow patina throughout with the serial numbers and '.31CAL' showing up very nicely. The iron shows traces of the case coloring here and there, but overall the iron has a nice smooth metal throughout with minimal pitting noted. The action is as crisp as can be, the cylinder indexes appropriately, and the hammer responds to the trigger. All of the nipples are present and in good shape. The serial number on the frame and wedge are all matching, with the exception of the cylinder, which is original, but about 200 off of the frame number, (263676 / 3876). The bonus with the cylinder is that there is a considerable amount of the scene that can still be made out. I tried to exploit this in the images, but they do not do it justice, as I would guesstimate that approximately 70-80% of the scene is still visible. The New York address on top of the octagon barrel is easily seen and stands out well. The serial number range indicates a production date of 1864 and most likely did see some action. These weapons were favorite side arms of many service men of the time due to its reliability and size.
Colt M1862 Police Revolver with 4.5" Barrel. The walnut grips are original and show the normal dings and bumps for its age. The corners on the extreme front of the butt-grip are worn away and can be seen in the images. Though a small blemish, it is mentioned for exactness. The brass backstrap and trigger guard have a nice mellow patina throughout. The iron has a great 'gun metal' gray patina throughout with virtually no pitting whatsoever. All of the markings are present and can be easily read, especially the barrel address and the patent date on the fluted cylinder. The action on this is as crisp as the day it was made and you can literally hear every crack of the action as you pull back the hammer. The cylinder indexes every time and the hammer responds to the trigger. The serial number is all matching, even the wedge and indicates the gun manufacture of 1863, giving the gun a high probability of seeing some action. This is an absolutely a great looking gun and will definitely impress whomever opens the box when it arrives.
M1860 .44cal Colt Army Revolver in overall good condition. The original walnut grips show use and wear, as to be expected, though there are no cracks or repairs noted. The brass strap and trigger guard have a nice mellow patina throughout. The iron frame and 8-inch barrel present with virtually no pitting and smooth attic look throughout. The wedge is a reproduction replacement. The action is soft, but the cylinder indexes like a champ, with the hammer responding to the trigger every time. All of the nipples are present and show wear and use. The serial number matches on all parts, except the wedge, and indicate a manufacture of 1863. To enhance its history is a government cartouche on the right grip, indicating that the US government inspected and approved this gun for service, making it almost certain that this particular weapon saw service. All of the markings are present, including the barrel address, serial numbers, and the cylinder patent information. There is also hints of the cylinder scene left as well. This is an honest gun that has an honest history and is a fine example of one of the most utilized and glamorized weapon of the 19th Century.
Second Model, Type 2 .36cal Whitney Navy with a 9xxx serial number. The iron throughout the gun has a nice gun-metal gray patina throughout. It has a nice smooth feel with virtually no pitting noted. The action works on demand with the cylinder indexing crisp and on queue. You can feel every click when you pull back the hammer which does respond to the trigger. The original two-piece walnut grips are in good condition and have a nice dark hughe. All of the markings can be seen, however, the 'E.Whitney' portion of the barrel address is only partially seen. It does have the standard 7.5-inch octagon barrel with the brass sight present. The loading lever has the same matching serial number when removed from the frame. The Whitney revolver was a very popular handgun during the American Civil War and were contracted to both Army and Navy branches of service. Because of its popularity and its date of manufacture, there leaves little doubt that most of these weapons saw service at some point during the four year conflict.
Here is a mint Sharps .30cal rimfire pepperbox Model 2A, with the straight standing breech. It has the checkered gutta-percha grips which have no cracks or repairs. The action works perfectly and the hammer responds to the trigger. The 'Sharps' markings are very crisp on both sides as is the serial number on the base of the grip. The barrel slides forward appropriately. The brass has a nice mellow patina throughout with the barrel exhibiting a bright finish with no pitting. This is a very clean gun overall.
This is one of the finest and flawless pepperboxes I have ever had to offer. The iron has an overall dark patina throughout with wonderful floral engraving around the nipple shield and frame. There is very little to no pitting whatsoever. The walnut grips are original and are near flawless, and action works perfectly and every time. One of the most unique parts of this weapon is the fact that it has several of the markings that you typically don't see. On the bar hammer is the typical "Allens Patent", however on the 4.5" - six shot- barrel is marked "Allen & Thurber - Worcester" , then below it on the next rib is "Patented - 1837 - Cast Steel". Because of the Worcester mark we know that this gun was manufactured between 1847-1865. The pictures do not do this gun justice and I promise you will be surprised and pleased when you open the box on this one as the images do not do it justice. These weapons were very popular among soldiers and 'gentlemen' of the mid-19th century.
Smith & Wesson Model #2 Army Revolver w/ SN# 32519, indicating a late 1864-1865 production date. The iron frame show mild to moderate pitting throughout. Some light cleaning will do wonders. The rosewood grips are original and exhibit the normal dings and bumps. The action works perfectly and the hammer responds to the trigger appropriately. The cylinder indexes appropriately and has the patent information on it and can be seen. All of the screws are original and the barrel hinge has no cracks, there is however a little wiggle as most have. The address markings can be seen on the 6" barrel. This is an honest gun and one that has seen an increase in both price and popularity. This is one of the more modern looking weapons to see service during the American Civil War and was a popular side arm among officers.
M1862 Percussion .36cal Pocket Police, SN# 23086 (manufactured 1863). The gun has original walnut grips that show normal age with dings. No cracks or repairs are noted. The iron has mild to moderate pitting throughout with a dark 'gunmetal' grey throughout. The brass has a nice mellow patina throughout. All of the serial numbers match, even the wedge. All of the Colt markings are present and easily read, even the Colt address on the 5.5inch barrel. The action is crisp and works 99% of the time and the hammer responds to the trigger appropriately. The fluted cylinder shows the patent date and has all of the original nipples. This is a great looking gun that shows use and age, yet retains an overall clean appearance that anyone would be proud to display. The M1862 Police was and is one of the most attractive of the Colt percussion models. Because they were manufactured into the early 1870's many of these weapons were converted to cartridge after the war, which makes the original percussion configuration most desirable.
Six chambered .36cal Allen & Wheelock bar hammer pepperbox in overall great condition. It has the original walnut grips which show typical aging. No cracks or repairs noted. The iron shows no pitting whatsoever and has a nice attic brown throughout. All of the proper markings can bee seen: 'Allen & Wheelock' on the 3.5" barrel & 'Patented / April 16 1845' on the hammer. There is a floral scroll design on the nipple shield. All of the nipples are present and are original. The action works every time. These weapons were a popular choice for 'gentlemen' during the early to mid 1800's and no doubt found their way on the battlefield.
.44cal Remington New Model Army SN#49115. The iron has a dark attic brown patina throughout with some pitting noted on the frame around the cylinder. All of the sub inspector's marks are present. The address on top of the barrel is present as can be seen in the images. There is also the government mark on the left grip which does stand out fairly well. Both grips are original and the serial number, which can easily bee seen, matches on both the frame and the barrel. There are notches out of the base of the grips, which can be seen in the images, which, by manner in which they were done appear to allow for a lanyard of some type. Otherwise the gun shows the typical dings attributed to age and use. You can hear the action from across the room and is as crisp as the day it was manufactured. The cylinder, which has all of the original nipples, indexes appropriately and the hammer responds to the trigger. Overall this gun has alot of eye appeal. The serial number range on the New Army's started about 15,000 in 1863 and continued through 1875 with a total production somewhere around 122,000.
.50cal rimfire Triplett & Scott repeating carbine by Meridian Manufacturing Company with a low serial number of '1540'. This is one of the most recognizable and unique carbines to be introduced during the American Civil War. The stock is in overall good condition with only one tiny knick on the fore stock to be mentioned for exactness. It has a nice attic hughe throughout and has the typical crack over the embedded tube magazine which appears to have a period repair with three small tack nails. The iron has a matching attic brown patina throughout with minimal pitting noted. The thing you rarely see on this gun is both sling rings, which this one has. The action works perfectly as the barrel rotates to eject the spent jacket and continues around to pick up the next round in the magazine. The hammer responds to all positions and responds to the trigger. All of the markings are well read including the 'Kentucky' on the left side of the breech. You can also see the inspector's proofs on the buttstock "Y / W.B." I have had the opportunity to have a few of these pass through my hands and I can honestly say this is one of the nicest ones I have every seen in regards to condition and completeness. The firm manufactured approximately 5,000 of these carbines with the intent of sending them to troops of the Kentucky Home Guard to protect Sherman's supply lines during the Atlanta Campaign. They were received too late to take part in any service in the Civil War. You don't see these come to market as much as you used too and although its history isn't as colorful as we would like, it will comprehensively complete any Civil War carbine collection.
1863 .44cal Starr Single Action Army Revolver in overall good condition. The iron shows mild to moderate pitting throughout and has an overall consistent dark hughe. The action is as crisp and consistent as the day it was manufactured and the hammer does respond to the trigger. There is very faint remnants of the military cartouche on the one piece walnut grip which also has 'WAM' carved on the upper left hand side of the grip. You can see the Starr patent information on both sides of the frame as well as the 'c' marks on all parts of the gun. The serial numbers are very easily read on the cylinder and frame and are all matching. The number on the cylinder has been highlighted with talcum. The cylinder has one nipple missing, but otherwise all of the rest are original and in good condition. These pistols were manufactured by Starr Arms Co, New York City between 1863-1865 with approximately 32,000 being made. The government contracted approximately 25,000 of these revolvers and they started in where the double action army left off at a 23,000. The serial number on this gun is 29,826 which gives a fairly early production date. This handgun was only second to Remington and Colt in regard to Government purchase and popularity among Union cavalrymen.
Allen's Patent .36cal bar hammer single shot derringer with 6" half octagon/round barrel. It has the original two piece walnut grips. The action works great, with the nipple being worn down considerably. The markings on the barrel are: " Patented" / "1837" / "Cast Steel" / "75". On the hammer reads "Allens Patent". The iron has an overall dark hughe throughout.
Post war cut down of an M1816 .69 musket contracted by P.& E.W. Blake, New Haven, Connecticut (Whitney Arms Co.). The barrel has been cut down to about 36" from the original 42". The iron remains smooth with no pitting noted other than around the nipple which indicates significant usage. It has the Belgian style conversion and I believe the nipple is a replacement. The stampings on the lockplate are deep with the 'U.S.' and a date of '1827' underneath an arching 'New Haven' on the back of the lockplate. Underneath the trigger guard has the initials 'JBK' and on the tang of the butt plate is a 'US'. The wood is in overall good condition with the normal dings and bumps noted due to age. The action is tight. The hammer responds to all positions and the trigger. The bore still shows some of the rifling which was done during the conversion.
Stevens six inch 22cal pocket rifle (1869-1886) in overall good condition. It has a 6" tip up barrel with rear and front long range sights present. The iron shows no pitting. The brass has a nice mellow patina throughout. It has original walnut grips which have a period drill hole through, possibly for a lanyard. The action works perfectly and the hammer responds to the trigger. The barrel markings can easily be seen, however do to the size are not easily read; "J. Stevens & Co. / Chicopee Falls, Mass. Pat. Sept. 6, 1864" and has the serial number "*12641". This was Stevens earliest model of target pistol.
M1836 .54cal flintlock single shot pistol converted to percussion by Asa Waters. The wood stock has an overall dark hughe and shows the normal dings and bumps from use. There is a small superficial fracture of the wood right behind the lockplate. Opposite the lockplate, stamped into the wood are the various government cartouches, including the original approval when it was issued during the Mexican War and the one after its conversion for the Civil War. The iron has a dark patina throughout with no pitting noted and some noted around the nipple which can only indicate significant use. The hammer pulls back to both positions and responds to the trigger. The gun is all original with exception to the swivel rammer, which I believe to be a replacement. It is a really good match to the gun and presents well with the overall look of the piece. On the lockplate is: "A. Waters / Milbury, MS. / 1839", with an eagle's head in front of the hammer. According to Flayderman, this weapon was manufactured between 1836-1844 with approximately 41,000 made. This was the primary weapon of the Mexican War and after their conversion saw extensive use in the Civil War. This is a very handsome gun which saw alot of history being made.
M1816 .69cal Hewes & Phillips Type I conversion rifled musket with New Jersey marks. The metal has an overall bright finish with some mild pitting close to the breach and lockplate. The stock has the typical dings and bumps associated with hard use and age. It has a nice dark hughe throughout from top to bottom. There is wear behind the nipple indicating a considerable amount of firing. Underneath, in front of the trigger guard, is carved 'J.H.K.' It has all of the appropriate markings throughout including the original contract markings. Atop the barrel, behind the rear sight is the stamping 'H&P', however there is no date, which typically is worn off anyway. Opposite the lockplate on the barrel flat is the 'N.J.' stamping which is peaking above the stock. Behind the hammer on the lockplate is 'Phila/1832' and in front of the hammer is 'US'/Wickham (in an arch) which was the original contractor for the M1816. Opposite of the lockplate on the stock is the remnants of the oval cartouche, which I believe had the NJ marking as well. There is also a 'US' on the buttplate. It has the original button head type ramrod, barrel bands, front and rear sight, as well as sling rings. The action is crisp and the hammer responds in all positions and to the trigger. The rifling is either been blown out by firing or it was never rifled at all, which is apparently under debate regarding these particular weapons.
In 1861 the firm of Hewes & Phillips (which employed approximately 400 workers), metal workers and dealers of Newark, New Jersey were contracted by the state of New Jersey to alter 8,000 flintlock muskets to percussion. Not long after, they were contracted by the Federal Government to alter 12,000 more in the same manner. There were two types of alteration, the earliest, and like the one above, is very similar to the variation used on the Remington/Maynard conversions in the 1850's and similar to the M1855 rifle-musket which included the cleaning screw in the bolster. You'll notice that the hammer on this musket is very similar to the Remington contract guns, and it is believed that H&P possibly ordered hammers from them in order to deliver on their contract. It is also interesting to note that H&P was also contracted to machine parts and equipment for the ironclad Monitor.
"It is what it is" would be a good description to put with this M1842 Aston. The gun is missing the swivel rammer, and has a piece of wood chipped away opposite of the hammer on the left side of the gun, as well as behind the hammer. The stock has a crack in front of the lock plate and on the brass band opposite. The action is crisp in all positions and the hammer responds to the hammer. The walnut stock appears to have the original finish and has the initials 'JB' into the grip. We have no idea who this is or what side he fought on. However, the verbal provenance with the gun is that it is straight from a family in North Carolina and has not been touched or messed with by the one owner who has had it. I think it's condition would verify this to be accurate. The lockplate shows very little to no markings and the ones you can see are very light. This is not an advanced collector's piece by any means, but would be great for a beginner or for that display that shows the 'hard days' of the war.
Here is a nice looking, fully functional 3-band rifled musket produced by "Bridesburg" under the Springfield Contract. This particular weapon appears to be all original down to the tulip head ramrod. The rear sight & the front sling ring appear to be the only things missing. The overall look to the gun presents a dark hughe including the walnut stock which appears to be in its original finish. The iron also has that "chocolate attic" look with no major pitting or oxidation noted. The stock shows the wear and tear one would like to see in a weapon that was actually there. The normal dings are present throughout, including some significant wood burn out near the nipple which is primarily caused by excessive firing. The hammer pulls back crisply in all positions and responds to the trigger. The lockplate is in great shape and all of the markings can easily be read, including the 1864 date and the eagle motif. The US on the buttplate and the government inspector's mark opposite the lockplate can also be easily identified (this noted the Government's approval for military service). This manufacture from Pennsylvania produced approximately 98,500 weapons for the Government which was one of the largest orders completed by a rifle/musket contractor throughout the war. Though this gun is an 1864 date, it had plenty of time to participate in many of the most significant battles of the war, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Franklin, Bentonville, Petersburg, just to name a few. A great gun with alot of character for the money.
Price: $4,500.00
Here is a nice Model 1860 Spencer Carbine, serial number 58549, identified to Pvt. John E. Wilbur, Company I of the 1st New York Mounted Rifles. The stock is in good condition with no repairs or replacements. There is a small crack on the very tip of the fore stock off to the left, does not detract from the gun but is mentioned for exactness. It has a nice even brownish hugh throughout with the normal bumps and dings from services and use are scattered over the majority of the walnut stock. The iron has an attic brown feel to it and is in overall great condition. There is no pitting. All markings are present including the inspectors cartouche's. The long range sight is present and adjustable. The swivel snap ring, back ring, and magazine tube are all correct and in great shape. Along with the gun come a stack of paper work and research that was in part done by Vonnie Zullo of the Horse Soldier Research Service. The paper work includes copies of the company roster, pension record, regimental history, etc. of the 1st NY. A plaque, pictured above also comes with the gun showing the trail of the gun during its campaigns as well as a short biography of its owner. Pvt. Wilbur, a 25 year old paper maker, enlisted in August of 1862. During his re-enlistment in 1864 he was issued the Spencer. It is hard to determine the exact date of the issue due to the inability to locate that documentation in the archives. This gun however was present for the Siege of Petersburg and Richmond through March 1865. Private Wilbur mustered out in 1865.