Another Confederate issued Enfield Rifle.  While more complete, this gun has a smooth bore, a broken tang and a broken off nipple.  There is a cut-a-way on the left butt stock which had a plaque installed.  It has been removed but I surely would like to have known what was on it.  The lock on this gun is dated 1863 and it has its original ramrod, swivels and rear sight.  Just in front of the butt plate tang, it is clearly stamped with an Anchor over S.  This is one of the Confederate inspection marks.  There is also a Birmingham Small Arms Trade cartouche on the right side of the butt stock.   To my knowledge, the 1863 date, the Birmingham Small Arms Trade cartouche and the Anchor/S are correct together.  A little attention to the breech plug and the broken nipple would get this one back up and running.  Click on image for additional views.  SOLD!!

This is an early production Barnett Cavalry Carbine.  Barnett was an English maker who had a contract with the Confederacy until sometime in late 1862.  After that point the South continued to buy some of his guns, but not under contract.  This gun has a 21 inch barrel with a three position, folding leaf rear sight, swivel rammer assembly and a carbine bar and ring.  The lock is clearly marked Barnett London in front of the hammer and Crown over Tower to the rear.  The correct London proofs are found at the left rear of the barrel.  The wood is sound with no breaks or repairs and there is no burnout behind the bolster.  The metal is smooth with no major pitting and it has nice rifling in the bore.  The swivel assembly is original but the rod itself seems to be a replacement.  There is a set of initials on the left side of the stock, behind the carbine bare.  A fairly typical Southern feature.  All in all, a very good little gun.  Click on image for additional views.  SOLD!!

This gun has already been committed, but I thought I'd go ahead and present it for you to see.  It is a good example to study.  Just an all around good looking, strong very good condition Fayetteville Rifle.  It is a very early 1863 production and might well be termed a transition piece between the Type II and the Type III.  It still retains an iron nosecap, which is from captured Harper's Ferry parts.  It does not have the script, bordered oval cartouche but the very early "PB" initials stamped on the left side of the stock opposite the lock.  As you can tell from the photographs, the lock is fully marked, the lock to bolster fit is perfect and there is no burnout behind the bolster in the wood.  You can also tell that it has superb barrel markings, strong 1863 date and strong VP and Eagle.  The butt plate has the standard CSA stamp and the bands each have the proper "U" stamped on them.  The wood is quite nice with no repairs and no major dents or dings.  The front sight and bayonet lug are correct for the Type III as are the swivels, ramrod, rear sight, etc.  The gun has a good bore with strong rifling that might clean up a little.  A really nice example of the guns manufactured at the Confederate Arsenal in Fayetteville, NC.  Click on image for additional views.  SOLD!!

A gorgeous Factory Cased Whitworth Sporting Rifle.  The gun has deluxe wood and deluxe engraving throughout.  It is sharp as a tack with some minor dents, dings and handling marks in the wood.  The bore is nice and the action is crisp.  It is very high grade for a Whitworth.  It is cased in its original baize lined Whitworth case with a fully intact, original Whitworth label.  The case itself is made of mahogany with some damage to the two rear corners on the lid.  You will note that this gun has a back action lock which is marked "Whitworth Rifle Company."  A back action lock on a Whitworth rifle is something I have never seen before.  I have consulted with Bill Curtis in Britain about this gun.  He explains that there are five known back-action Whitworth Sporting Rifles.  They are all found between serial numbers 206 and 218 of the first series (A) of production.  This gun is serial number 215 of the first series (A) of production.  It has express flip up rear sights with a dovetail front sight.  The long range ladder is missing from the sight base.  The case has numerous accessories to include a period, leather covered flask and a hexagonal bullet mold set, which is very nice but may be of fairly modern construction.  The gun is photogenic, to say the least, and the photos should tell the rest of the story.  An extremely rare Whitworth.  Click on image for additional views.  SOLD!! 

All three of these Deringers are in about good condition, could use a little tinkering or TLC and they are cheap.   Click on image for additional views.  SOLD!! 

A really hard to find Colt 7 1/2 inch barrel 1860 Fluted Army accompanied by a factory letter which indicates it was shipped to Peter Williams & Co., Richmond, VA., April 15, 1861.  The gun is a solid old veteran with moderate wear, a few dents and some pin prick rust damage.  It has all matching serial numbers to include the barrel, frame, trigger guard, backstrap, cylinder, barrel wedge, cylinder pin and grips.  It has a good barrel marking, serial number and patent dates in the flutes of the cylinder and a whole lot of different initials in the grips.  Confederate soldiers often carved their initials into the grips of the guns they were issued.  This one, if we knew the initials, would be like a book.  There are at least six different sets of initials on the grips of this gun.  It, no doubt, was issued to six different Confederate soldiers.  It is amazing!   The gun still has a good action, rifling in the bore and decent grips.  The toe of each grip has been repaired.  The repairs look to be very old.  A hard to find certified Southern Colt.  Click on image for additional views.   SOLD!!

This little Deringer is not European made and even though unmarked, appears to have the characteristics of one made by R. P. Bruff.  The barrel length, to include breech, is 2 3/8 inches in length with an overall length of 5 3/4 inches.  It is sound, with no repairs but a little rusty with numerous minor dings and abrasions in the wood.  It is about .41 caliber and is almost a Peanut.  It is German silver mounted with German silver bands at the breech and engraved lock, hammer, breech and trigger guard.  The rest of the inlays are plain.  Click on image for additional views.   SOLD!!

A strong condition, Confederate Short Artillery Sword made by E. J. Johnston of Macon, Georgia.  The blade is 18 1/2 inches in length with an overall length of 24 inches.  The diamond, cross section blade is in very good condition, no significant pitting, light staining and has not been sharpened.  The blade also shows forging occlusions, indicative of the fairly poor quality metal that was used by most of the Southern manufacturers.  The brass guard is in a near perfect, nut-brown patina with normal casting flaws showing.  All in all, Johnston produced a solid, well finished, Short Artillery Sword.  This sword originally had a wooden scabbard, which was iron mounted.  When found together, the sword and scabbard can bring some very serious money.  Click on image for additional views.  SOLD!!

One of the most historic pieces I've ever had.  This is the second Model 1851 Navy, which belonged to the Crocheron Light Dragoons of Dallas County, Alabama that has turned up.  The unit was later designated Holloway's Company, Third Alabama Cavalry.  This unit provided courier and escort service for the Commanding General of The Army of the Tennessee throughout the Civil War.  

I would direct your attention to an article written by Walter L. Anderson in the January 1991 Gun Report.  A brilliant piece of research, the article provides an indepth insight into the C. L. Dragoon Navy.  I will summarize, as best I can with full credit to Mr. Anderson.  In 1860, Ben McCullough, the famous Mexican War veteran, arranged with Sam Colt for the Governor of Alabama to purchase 600 1851 Navy Colts.  When the Civil War began, the governor presented each commissioned officer, in the early regiments formed in the State of Alabama, a Colt 1851 Navy.  The Crocheron Light Dragoons, formed in October 1861 in Dallas County, Alabama, included four officers, each presented a Colt Navy by the governor.  It also included over 100 enlisted men, that were provided with .44 caliber Colt Dragoons, which were shipped into Mobile and purchased by the unit's benefactor John Crocheron.  The unit named itself the Crocheron Light Dragoons, in honor of  its benefactor, who so graciously purchased the Colt Dragoons for the enlisted men.  The unit transferred from state control to Confederate government control and served as courier and escort for the commanding general of the Army of Tennessee throughout the war.  Of the four Colt Navies, which would have been issued to the officers of the Crocheron Light Dragoons, this is the second gun to turn up.  The first gun, which is the feature of Mr. Anderson's 1991 Gun Report article, was serial number 94981.  This gun is serial number 94865.  Further, this gun has two sets of initials, two capital W's carved into the grips and the initials DML scratched on the butt.  Consultation with Mr. Anderson indicates that the WW in the grip are the initials of Sgt. William Wade.  He enlisted November 16, 1861 as a corporal and mustered out of service April 18, 1865 as a sergeant.  He was from Providence, Alabama, which is in Dallas County.  The second set of initials cannot yet be identified to a member of the unit.  

The gun has matching serial numbers throughout.  It is well used but relatively tight and functional.  The Hartford address is still visible on top of the barrel as are most of the markings.  It has only traces of cylinder scene and the C. L. Dragoon engraved mark, on the left rear barrel flat, is quite legible.  Two chambers of the cylinder are still loaded and I cleaned the powder out of the three others, which had lost their bullets but still had complete powder charges.  The gun has some pitting and a few dents and dings but an overall good appearance.  A wonderful piece of history.  As two of the four issued Navies have turned up, I don't think we can hope for another any time soon.  Click on image for additional views.  SOLD!!

A fabulous, strong, excellent condition, U.S. issue 1860 Colt Army.  This gun last saw the light of day in 1967 when it was purchased for $1,000.  It has been in a collection and out of sight ever since.  It is probably unfired and was still in the original factory grease.  I have taken it out of the grease, which over time acidifies and can begin to deteriorate the finish.  It has all matching numbers to include the grips, wedge, cylinder pin, barrel, cylinder, frame, backstrap and trigger guard.  It retains 98-99% of the original barrel blue with distinctive feathering around the front sight and loading lever catch.  The case hardened parts, i.e. the frame, loading lever and hammer retain 100% of the original case coloring.  The backstrap retains about 95% of the original blue with a minor speckling overall.  The cylinder still possesses a majority of its original finish with a perfect cylinder scene, perfect safety pins and blue in the chambers.  The grips have the original oil finish with perfect cartouches and a few minor dents on the bottom.  The gun has sharp markings throughout.  The barrel address, cylinder scene, frame markings and sub-inspection marks are crisp.  The federal sub-inspection marks are found on both sides of the barrel, the cylinder, the backstrap behind the hammer, the trigger guard and the bottom of the grips.  The mechanical function is like new.  A superb Civil War Army which has survived in remarkable condition.  Click on image for additional views.  SOLD!!

This is a fairly early production Henry Deringer manufactured about 1836-1837.  The barrel has two gold bands, while the mountings on the gun, inlays, trigger guard, etc. are Sterling silver.  You will note the early style hammer and early style engraving.  This is among the earliest Henry Deringers to receive a "P" proof on the left rear barrel flat.  It is interesting because the "P" proof is literally stamped in the middle of the nice, engraved panel.  During this time frame, the trigger guard is usually the only part of the mountings that is engraved, while there is ornate engraving on the lock, hammer, breech area and tang.  This gun has a 3 1/2 inch barrel with an overall length of 7 1/4 inches and is in about .44 caliber.   The checkering is still nice on the grip and the gun has a pleasant, light patination.  Click on image for additional views.  SOLD!!

A really pleasant, fine condition Model 1849 Colt.  It has a four inch barrel, which still retains liberal amounts of finish and has all matching numbers, to include the barrel wedge.  It has a two line New York address and a beautiful cylinder scene.  Virtually every detail of the cylinder scene has survived.  The grips retain about 98% of the original varnish and the silver plating on the backstrap and trigger guard is about 85-90%.  The cylinder still has safety pins at the back and the action is crisp and tight.  An all around really nice little Colt with no pitting, no major dents or dings and sharp lines and edges.  Click on image for additional views.  SOLD!!

This gun's serial number is 21860, which places its production in 1863.  It has completely matching serial numbers, to include the barrel wedge.  It is mechanically excellent with strong markings and liberal amounts of finish, both case colors and blue, blending with a smooth patina.  The case colors on the frame, loading lever and hammer are particularly strong.  The grips retain 98% of the original varnish and there are significant amounts of silver plating left on the trigger guard and backstrap.  The safety pins, though somewhat worn, are still showing on the back of the cylinder.  It has a strong, clear barrel address and patent date in the flute of the cylinder.  It is 5 1/2 inches in barrel length and is in overall fine condition.  Click on image for additional views.   SOLD!!

A strong, Civil War issue Colt 1860 Army, manufactured in 1862.  It has all matching serial numbers including the grips and wedge.  It has virtually 100 % of the cylinder scene and visible cartouches on both the right and left grips.  It is tight, mechanically excellent with a smooth brown patination and good markings.  A few dents on top of the barrel with an otherwise sharp barrel address.  Somebody used it as a hammer and dented up the bottom of the grips.  They are otherwise quite nice.  There are military sub-inspector marks on the backstrap, trigger guard, cylinder, barrel and grips.  The safety pins on the back of the cylinder are worn but still standing.  An all around strong, very good condition, U. S. issue 1860 Colt Army.  Click on image for additional views.   SOLD!!

The United States government bought a quantity of Model 1854 Lefaucheux Pin Fire Revolvers during the Civil War.  The South also bought them and there were many thousands of rounds for these guns in both southern and northern arsenals at the end of the war.  To my knowledge, there is no way of determining exactly which guns were bought by the South.  This is a model 1854, which would have been bought by both.  On page 97 of the book The Pinfire System by Gene P. Smith and Chris C. Curtis, the authors reveal the exact number and serial number range of the guns bought by the United States government.  I quote "Lefaucheux revolvers was verified exactly as 11,833 total revolvers received by the government.  The serial number range  of these Model 1854 revolvers is believed to be between 25,000 and 37,000."  You will notice that the serial number of this gun is 30756, which places it in the middle of the U. S. government purchase range.  The gun itself has a smooth brown patina with the Lefaucheux trademark on the left frame and the Lefaucheux proof mark and serial number on the right frame.  The gun is complete, except for the ejector rod, which is a very simple affair.  The action works but it has a weak trigger spring.  The grips show smooth wear, but no repairs or particular damage.  Click on image for additional views.  SOLD!!