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LOT 3162
Starr Arms Civil War Breech Loading Percussion Carbine with Desirable 1st Arkansas Union Cavalry Marking - Serial no. 11376, 54 cal., 21 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Starr Arms Co. of Yonkers, New York, manufactured 20,601 of these carbines during the Civil War. Designed by Ebenezer T. Starr and initially favored over the Sharps carbines in government tests, Starr carbines often received poor reviews from the troops due to misinformation concerning ammunition. An Ordnance Department officer spread the false notion that the Starr fired the same cartridge as the Sharps, and thus units were sent Sharps ammunition instead of the slightly longer Starr cartridges which led to misfires. When used with proper cartridges, the Starr is arguably one of
the best breech loading percussion designs of the era. This example has the standard sights and factory markings, the top of the breech has a 1st Arkansas marking “1/ARK/D” (the “D” is the company), inspector initials “H.G.S.” on the left side of the breech, “11376” underneath the barrel and on the right side of the breech block, and brass band and buttplate. CONDITION: Good, with a mottled brown patina overall and some scattered patches of light pitting. Wood is also good with numerous scattered scratches, dents, and chips from use. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 3163
Exceptional U.S. Civil War Contract Mass. Arms Co. Second Model Maynard Breech Loading Percussion Carbine - Serial no. 25032, 50 cal., 20 inch part octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. The two models of Maynard carbines were easily among the best cavalry weapons available during the Civil War. Both sides used them and held them in high regard. They are based on the designs of Dr. Edward Maynard, a dentist and inventor from New York and Washington, D.C. Approximately 20,000 of these Second Model carbines were manufactured in 1864 and 1865. Some were delivered late in the war and were issued and used by 6th, 9th, and 11th Indiana Cavalry and the 10th and 11th East Tennessee Union Cavalry. It has a “pinched” blade front sight, three leaf rear sight (graduated for 100, 300, and 500 yards), “S” stamped on several of the main components, “EDWARD MAYNARD/PATENTEE./MAY 27. 1851./DEC. 6. 1859.” on the left side of the frame, “MANUFACTURED BY/MASS. ARMS CO./CHICOPEE FALLS.” on the right side of the frame, the serial number on the lower tang, and boxed “JM” and “GWP” inspector cartouches on the left side of the wrist. CONDITION: Extremely fine, retains 90% plus original blue finish and 75% of the slightly muted original case colors with the balance a smooth brown-grey patina. The wood is very fine with crisp cartouches, a few scattered minor scuffs and dings, and a hairline crack near the toe. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Allan Cors Collection.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 3164 Civil War Merrill First Model Percussion Carbine - Serial no. 6913, 54 cal., 22 1/8 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Total production of type I and II Merrill carbines by James H. Merrill of Baltimore, Maryland, was just under 14,500, and nearly all were issued to Union cavalry units including several from New York and Pennsylvania. Merrill was in Washington, D.C. in 1816 and initially worked with his brother William as a gunsmith in Baltimore in the 1840s. His first breech loading design was patented in 1856. Features include a brass patch box and furniture, blade front and notch rear sight with two folding leaves marked for 300 and 500 yards, a sling bar and ring attached to the brass side plate on the left stock flat, matching serial numbers on the tail of the lock and lever. Boxed script “RP” cartouche on the left stock flat. Carved initials “BAC” in the left side of the buttstock. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes wood tampion. CONDITION: Fine, retaining 85% period refinished nitre blue finish with some areas of light pitting on the lock and around the breech area, and bright brass fittings. Stock is also fine with some light handling marks, a few scratches including the carved initials, and a nice cartouche. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The George Moller Collection.
Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
LOT 3165 U.S. Sharps New Model 1863 Metallic Cartridge Conversion Carbine - Serial no. C,27347, 50-70 U.S. Govt cal., 22 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This Sharps was originally manufactured in 1863-1865 as a percussion carbine for use in the Civil War, and was one of 31,098 carbines returned by the U.S. Government to Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Co. in 1867, who received a contract for refurbishment and alteration of their rifles for use with metallic cartridges. This example retains its original .52 caliber
six-groove rifling, now intended for chambering of the .50-70 Government cartridge. Standard markings and features. “F” and “EAW” inspector marks on the left side of the barrel, and matching serial number “C,27347” marked underneath the barrel. A “DFC” (David F. Clark) ribbon cartouche marked on the left center of the buttstock, typically found on these rebuilt alteration carbines. CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 70% plus arsenal refurbished blue finish on the barrel with scattered mild spotting and a patch of mild pitting starting 4 inches back from the muzzle end. 85% case colors with some scattered patches of light surface corrosion. Wood is also very fine with some light scratches and a crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 3166
Fine “Kentucky” Marked Civil War Era Triplett & Scott Breech Loading Carbine - Serial no. 3363, 50 RF cal., 22 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. The Triplett & Scott carbines and rifles were manufactured by the Meriden Manufacturing Company in the final two years of the Civil War. Only 3,000 of the rifles and 2,000 of the carbines are estimated to have been produced. The whole 5,000 appear to have been sold on a contract executed on January 2, 1865, to the State of Kentucky for use by the Kentucky home guard troops who were called upon to protect Sherman’s supply lines. They were delivered in May after the war had ended. This example was clearly designated for that purpose based on the small “KENTUCKY” stamp on the left side of the breech. The upper tang is marked “TRIPLETT & SCOTT/PATENT DEC. 6. 1864”, and the left side of the receiver is marked “MERIDEN MAN’FG. CO./MERIDEN. CONN.” The rifle has a pinched front sight and folding ladder rear sight. The forearm is secured by a screw and a single barrel band. The stock has swivels on the top and bottom and a standard carbine style buttplate. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes wood tampion and period leather sling. CONDITION: Fine, retaining 60% original blue finish mixed with mottled brown, and 40% plus case colors mainly turned to a gray patina. Wood is very fine with some light handling marks. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500