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LOT 1232
Desirable Massachusetts Arms Co. First Model Maynard Percussion Carbine - Serial no. 4373, 35 cal., 20 inch part octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Approximately 5,000 First Model Maynard carbines were manufactured c. 1858-1859. This carbine
has the correct first model two-line markings of “MAYNARD ARMS CO./WASHINGTON.” on the right side of the action and the three-line Massachusetts Arms Co. address on the left. The patch box has the correct later first model
“MAYNARD PATENTEE/MAY 27. 1851./JUNE 17. 1856.” on the door. The floor of the patch box has a paper label marked with
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various Maynard patent dates. Multiple Confederate states are known to have had contracts for Maynard rifles and carbines in both .35 and .50 caliber including Mississippi, Florida, and Georgia. For example, in early 1861, Jefferson Davis and J. Thompson entered into agreements for Maynard arms and ammunition that included 325 carbines and 175 rifles in .50 caliber and
300 carbines in .35 caliber along with one thousand rounds of ammunition for each gun. Estimates based
on the dates of the orders and deliveries along with the approximate production rate of Maynard firearms places the approximately 3,000 Confederate purchased Maynard carbines and rifles. “within the serial range from approximately 1800 through 4100 (give or take 200)” according to “The Maynard Rifle and Carbine in the Confederate Service” by Howard M. Madaus. This example is just above that approximate range based on the “4373” serial number on the underside of the primer door. Confederate soldiers are said to have been particularly fond of the Maynard carbines and rifles due in part to the fact that the brass cases could be reloaded upwards of 100 times.
CONDITION: Very good, with a mix of untouched brown and gray patina overall indicative of some genuine period use, and defined markings and edges in the metal. The stock is fine with a darkened appearance, some scattered light handling marks, and distinct edges. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 1233
Rare Confederate “’Pike Head/Bayonet” Bowie Knife - Produced by an unknown maker, the intended use of this very
distinctive Confederate weapon is a matter of some speculation; Abels’“Classic Bowie Knives” (page 66) asserts that it was
likely intended as a combat knife that could also double as a pike head or bayonet, while Albaugh’s “Confederate Edged
Weapons” (page 165) suggest that the rings integral to the guard and pommel are too small for an appropriate rifle barrel or
pike staff. The Confederates were known to have explored the pike as a combat weapon, as well as having experimented with
non-standard bayonets for the variety of sporting rifles and shotguns pressed into combat service. The unfinished interior
of the rings may have been intended to be fitted out by an end-user or armorer to match a specific barrel or staff, though
some form of retention hardware would need to be provided. These knifes were believed to have been sold by Potts, a military
outfitter in New Orleans, and similar examples are known to have been made by Rees Fitzpatrick of Natchez, Mississippi. The heart of the weapon is a
large bowie knife in the archetypical Confederate style, approximately 17 5/8 inches overall with an impressive 12 5/16 inch long clip point blade, fitted
with a fine flat-sided wood handle and brass furniture. The guard and pommel are both thick and rugged brass with dual “quillions” on both, an upturned hook on the front and a brass ring on the back. The front ring has a 1 5/16 inch exterior and 13/16 inch interior diameter, and the rear ring has a 1 3/8 inch exterior and a 3/4 inch interior.
CONDITION: Fine overall, with the iron blade retaining a sharp edge and showing mostly bright with some scattered patches of minor surface oxidation, attractive golden aged patina on the brass, and some light scratches and handling marks on the walnut handle with defined edges.
LOT 1234
South Carolina Palmetto Armory Model 1842 Percussion Pistol with Authentication Letter - NSN, 54 cal., 8 1/2 inch round bbl., bright
finish, walnut stock. Reportedly 1,000 Model 1842 pistols were manufactured at
the Palmetto Armory by William Glaze and Benjamin Flagg. The latter was previously the superintendent of Asa Waters’s factory in Milbury, Massachusetts. They are believed to have been assembled from condemned and overrun parts from Aston and Johnson from the U.S. contracts. The barrel has a brass blade front sight, captive ramrod, a “V” and a small palmetto tree stamp visible on the upper left of the breech, “Wm GLAZE & CO.” on the left barrel flat, and “1853” date on the upper tang. The lock is marked “PALMETTO, ARMORY/(palmetto tree)/S*C.” at the center and “COLUMBIA/S. C. 1852” at the tail. The furniture is brass. An included authentication letter
from Dr. Frederick G. Novy indicates the pistol appears to be complete and original including the “forging flawed” lockplate. CONDITION: Good, with mostly bright gray patina on the barrel as lightly cleaned, brown patina on the lock and hammer, areas of scattered light to mild pitting, defined lock markings, and attractive golden aged patina on the brass fittings. The stock is also good as refinished, with chipping around the edges showing oil over top, a few cracks behind the lock, and a crack on the left below the edge of the barrel. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500