The Fayetteville rifles were manufactured with machinery captured from the U.S. arsenals at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, and shipped to Fayetteville, North Carolina in early 1862. With the fledgling Confederacy plagued by a shortage of arms, and even less capable of weapons manufacturing, the capture of a federal armory was a godsend. The Virginia Secession Convention had instructed Robert E. Lee, as a top priority, to move the valuable rifle and musket-producing machinery from northern Virginia safely into the interior. Lee assigned the task to Stonewall Jackson on April 27 in his first orders to his new subordinate, “It is desired that you expedite the transfer,” he said. Within 2 weeks, the ever efficient Jackson had completed the task. An estimated 8,000-9,000 of these well-made rifles were manufactured between 1862 and 1865 by the Fayetteville Armory in North Carolina. This example is a rare Type III Transitional Rifle. This extremely fine rifle, in untouched and “out-of-the-woods” condition, has never been offered for sale until this auction. A few of these earliest guns show some Harpers Ferry parts, such as the saber bayonet lug and iron end cap on this example. It has the low profile lock plate dated "1862" at the tail and features an "S" shaped hammer and "an eagle motif over "C.S.A" and "FAYETTEVILLE" marked in the front section. The barrel has a blade front sight, three-leaf rear sight, "V/P/eagle head" marking on the left at the breech, and "1862" on the barrel tang. The furniture is all brass, and "CSA" is stamped on the buttplate tang. Tulip head ramrod. The stock has "TA" carved on the left flat along with "Y" and a near perfect Confederate "PB" cartouche on the left stock flat. 1862 dated rifles are extremely difficult to find in nice condition, so much so that the only documented sale we could find of any 1862 in similar condition was a Type I that sold for $43,200 in November of 2015. This rifle is worthy of the finest Confederate Arms Collection.

Very fine overall and way above average condition for any Confederate weapon particularly for an early, 1862 dated Fayetteville. The rifle barrel exhibits mostly a smooth brown "as found" patina mixing with aged original blue-brown lacquer finish and with minor wear, paint specs and some very minor scrapes and dings as would be found on a seldom carried weapon. The lock plate is excellent with clear markings and shows no wear other than a few scratches on the bottom edge. The stock is excellent plus and extremely crisp, showing only minor pressure marks and dings and a chatter area near the rear barrel band from removal at one time. All markings and edges are extremely crisp and sharp. Mechanically sound. Without question, this is the finest Fayetteville example we have ever cataloged which is only enhanced by the fact that it is a first year production, 1862 rifle!