Page 165 - 4091-BOOK3

AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK MILITARY SHARPS RIFLES AND CARBINES, VOL. I BY HOPKINS
LOT 3262
Exceptional Historic Colt Alteration Robbins & Lawrence U.S. Model 1841 Percussion “Mississippi Rifle” Attributed as Formally the Property of Brigadier General John G. Butler, with Saber Bayonet - NSN, 58 cal., 33
inch round bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. The “Mississippi Rifle” was made famous by Jefferson Davis’ unit during the Mexican-American War and was also widely used by both sides during the Civil War. Many
were updated for use with bayonets and Minie balls. Colt purchased the rifles for $10 each, re-bored and rifled them for .58 caliber ammunition using the original style of rifling, fitted split band bayonet adapters, and then sold
them back to the government for $18.50 each paired with bayonets manufactured for Colt by Collins & Co. They
had completed 10,200 by the summer of 1862 and thus had brought in over $86,000 while also giving Union soldiers handsome rifles adapted for bayonets and better ammunition. This example has seven-groove rifling and was period converted to .58 caliber, a brass tipped ramrod as used on the original Model 1841 rifles, the standard brass blade front sight, correct Colt Model 1855 three-leaf type rear sight graduated up to 500 yards, “902” Colt conversion number marked on the bayonet lug and on the barrel to match, “US/JCB/P” marked at the breech, “ROBBINS/&/LAWRENCE/U.S.” marked at the center of the lock, “WINDSOR VT/1851” marked at the tail of the lock, boxed and oval script “JM” and “WAT” (William A. Thornton) inspection cartouches stamped on the left stock flat, “US” marked buttplate tang, and a spare nipple inside the patch box. Includes an “1861” dated brass handled saber bayonet marked “G” and “2796” on the flat of the handle. A provenance letter accompanies the rifle that states, “Formally the property of an American officer, Brigadier General John Gazzam Butler and by decent until purchased by the present vendor. Brigadier Butler was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1842, attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 1863. He joined the Union Army as a lieutenant in the Fourth Field Artillery, receiving promotion after the battle of Chickamauga and thereafter appears to have had ordnance appointments.” Research indicates John G. Butler (January 23, 1842-August 17, 1914) spent most of his career as an officer in the Ordnance Corps in which he helped design ammunition. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 70% original “striped” brown finish on the barrel, smooth gray patina on the lock showing faint patterns of case colors, highly attractive untouched golden bright brass, and 40% of the Colt blue finish with scattered brown surface corrosion on the balance on the bayonet lug and rear sight, and sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. Stock is very fine with attractive original raised grains, numerous scattered light to mild dents and scratches, distinct edges and crisp cartouches. Mechanically excellent. Bayonet is fine with natural aged patina and some patches of light pitting. Provenance: Brigadier General John Gazzam Butler; Property of a Gentleman. Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000
LOT 3263
Rare Documented Civil War Sharps New Model 1859 Breech Loading “Egyptian Contract” Percussion Rifle-Musket Issued by the State of Connecticut - Serial no. 37028, 52 cal., 36 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This rifle matches the configuration of the aborted Egyptian contract rifles and falls within the correct approximate 36000-40000 serial number range noted for the 600 rifles ordered by the Viceroy of Egypt through the American consul in Egypt in late 1859. These rifles are readily identifiable by their 36 inch barrels with saber bayonet lugs rather than the usual 30 inch barrels. These rifles were inspected by Major Thorton of the New York Arsenal in early 1861. The Egyptians had not paid for the rifles, so they were offered for sale to the U.S. Ordnance Department and purchased by Captain Joseph R. Hawley of Hartford of Rifle Company A (90 rifles) and the State of Connecticut (510 rifles). This information can be found on pages 323-324 of the book “Sharps Firearms The Percussion Era 1848-1865” by Marcot, Paxton and Marron. They were issued to the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 8th, 11th, and 14th Connecticut Infantry Regiments. This example features an oval script “JH” (Joseph Hannis) inspection cartouche stamped on the left wrist of the stock, the barrel has a block mounted blade front sight, bayonet stud ahead of the forearm, the three-line Sharps address ahead of the Lawrence patent notch and ladder rear sight, “NEW MODEL 1859” on top at the breech, the lock and frame have the standard Lawrence and Sharps patent markings, the serial number is marked on the upper tang, three iron barrel bands and an iron patch box. This exact rifle is pictured and mentioned by serial number on pages 23-24 of the book “Military Sharps Rifles and Carbines Volume I” by Richard Hopkins. Faint period carvings visible on the left of the buttstock that appear to possibly read “C P Blake” above an illegible carved word or words. CONDITION: Fine, retains 60% period arsenal refurbished blue finish and 70% plus vivid case colors, 70% plus niter blue finish, with smooth gray and brown patina on the balance and some light freckling. Wood is very good with some scatted dents and scratches, a few cracks on the bottom of the forend with a period screw repair on the right rear, faint carvings as mentioned above, and a visible lightly worn cartouche. Mechanically excellent
Estimate: 11,000 - 16,000 163