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Dickson, Nelson & Co. were contracted by the state of Alabama for 5,000 "Mississippi" rifles, of which 645 were delivered, according to Confederate Rifles and Muskets by Murphy and Madaus
AS PICTURED AND
DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK CONFEDERATE RIFLES AND MUSKETS BY MURPHY & MADAUS
48
LOT 3074
Rare Documented Civil War Confederate 1865 Dated Dickson, Nelson & Co. Percussion Rifle with Sling - NSN, 58 cal., 33 inch round bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This Confederate percussion rifle was manufactured by Dickson, Nelson & Co. at their Dawson, Georgia factory as a close copy of the U.S. Model 1841 “Mississippi” percussion rifle. In 1861, William Dickson, Owen O. Nelson, and Dr. Lewis H. Sadler started the Shakanoosa Arms Co. in Dickson, Alabama. The company received a contract from the State of Alabama for 5,000 “Mississippi” rifles (Model 1841), but the delivery of 645 rifles is all that can be documented (according to “Confederate Rifles & Muskets” book), with total production of all types estimated at 3,600. This example is marked “DICKSON/NELSON & CO./C.S.” on the lock at center and “ALA./1865” at the tail of the lock. The barrel, lock, screws, and sling swivels are all iron, and the remaining components are all brass. The walnut stock has a straight comb and slightly off center buttplate. This exact rifle is pictured on page 185 of the book, “Confederate Rifles & Muskets” by John M. Murphy and Howard Michael Madaus (it has since had some restoration performed, reference condition statement). More information on these rifles and other examples pictured can be found on pages 178-186 of the aforementioned book. All Confederate weapons, especially weapons actually manufactured in the heart of the Confederacy are highly sought after and rare. Confederate arms production was incredibly weak, when compared with the North, given the South’s significantly smaller industrial base and lack of necessary labor during the Civil War. These Dickson, Nelson & Co. rifles are considered among the best quality of all the Confederate made weapons with a superior fit and finish unlike the typically hastily assembled Confederate weapons of the time. Includes a period original sling. CONDITION: Very good for a Confederate issued arm, with an artificially applied brown lacquer on the barrel with some mild flash pitting at the breech, and smooth mottled brown patina on the lock with crisp markings. Brass retains its attractive golden aged patina. Stock is also very good as lightly sanded and re-oiled with scattered light scratches and dents, various small cracks and discreetly repaired chips, spliced replacement left stock flat, spliced replacement flat around the lock, and an overall nice figure. Mechanically fine. Included sling is very good with some light age related wear and cracking. Dickson, Nelson & Co. rifles such as this one are very hard to find in any condition and are highly sought after by Civil War and Confederate collectors. Provenance: John M. Murphy collection, a Gentleman. Estimate: 12,000 - 18,000
LOT 3075
Desirable Civil War Era Whitworth Percussion “Sharpshooter” Rifle - NSN, 451 cal., 33 inch round bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. The Whitworth was widely considered to have been the first rifle used for true sniping. They were reportedly accurate up to 1,800 yards or more. At shorter distances, such as 500 yards, the Whitworth was far more accurate with tighter groupings than the Enfield rifles of the time thanks to its hexagonal rifling using specially fitted bullets in the shape of the rifling; both of which were originally patented by Sir Joseph Whitworth. The Whitworth rifle was successfully used by British marksmen in competition, but is most famously known for its use by Confederate sharpshooters during the Civil War, of which only approximately 250 Whitworth rifles are believed to been sold to the Confederate Army in total. The small amount of these rifles in use by Confederate sharpshooters took out multiple Union officers and were well known and feared. Union General Sedgwick fell victim to a head shot from a sniper using a Whitworth rifle on May 8th, 1864. Shortly before General Sedgwick was killed, he scolded some of his men for ducking gun fire, telling them that “they couldn’t hit an elephant at this distance.” This rifle has a replacement fixed blade front sight with detachable hood, ladder rear sight graduated up to 1,100 yards, “WHITWORTH PATENT” marked on top of the barrel ahead of the rear sight, Birmingham proofs and “52” bore markings on the left of the breech, “Crown/W” marked at the tail of the lock and “WHITWORTH” marked at the front of the lock, a half cock safety mechanism, smooth trigger, full length walnut stock, and sling swivels located on the middle barrel band and tail of the trigger guard tang. Small letters “PRESTON” stamped on the bottom left of the middle and rear barrel bands. Letters “GER” stamped into the left stock flat. “415” marked on the inside of the lock and inside of the patch box door. “413” marked on the underside of the hammer. CONDITION: Very good with mottled brown patina on the barrel with some patches of moderate pitting towards the muzzle end, smooth gray and brown patina on the lock and patch box, and sharp markings in the metal overall. Stock is fine as lightly sanded and re-oiled with scattered light scratches and moderate dings, a few areas of stain dripping, mostly defined checkering with some light wear, and a few repaired chips at the toe. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000