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LOT 1209 Virginia Manufactory Second Model Flintlock Rifle - NSN, 50 cal., 39 inch octagon bbl., brown finish, walnut stock. Only an estimated 1,700 of these rifles were manufactured in Richmond around 1812-1821. Virginia was the only state in the early republic to establish their own armory for the state militia. The design of the Second Model flintlock rifle was influenced by the Harpers Ferry rifles of this period. They are among the earliest military rifles manufactured in the U.S. Some were later issued in their original flintlock form to Virginia volunteers at the start of the Civil War, while others were altered to percussion. This rifle has an earlier lock marked “RICHMOND/1810” at the tail and “VIRGINIA/Manufactory” (Virginia marking is no longer visible) at the center. It has the standard rifle sights and brass furniture including the correct Second Model patch box. CONDITION: Good as reconverted to flintlock configuration, with applied brown finish overall, areas of light pitting, and part of the lock marking at the
center obliterated. Brass displays bright. Stock is also good as sanded and re-oiled with some light handling marks, a few minor chips, and a chipped/absent section to the right of the barrel tang. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 1210 Virginia Manufactory Second Model Flintlock Rifle - NSN, 54 cal., 39 inch octagon bbl., brown/blue finish, walnut stock. Only an estimated 1,700 of these rifles were manufactured in Richmond around 1812-1821. Virginia was the only state in the early republic to establish their own armory for the state militia. The design of the Second Model flintlock rifle was influenced by the Harpers Ferry rifles of this period. They are among the earliest military rifles manufactured in the U.S. Some were later issued in their original flintlock form to Virginia volunteers at the start of the Civil War, while others were altered to percussion. “RICHMOND/1818” marked at the tail of the lock and “VIRGINIA” at the center. It has the standard rifle sights and brass furniture including the correct Second Model patch box. CONDITION: Good as reconverted to flintlock configuration, with artificially applied brown patina and artificial flash pitting at the breech, heavy brown
patina on the balance of the barrel, scattered light pitting, and old refinished blue finish visible on the lock with visible markings. Brass retains pleasing golden aged and bright patinas. Stock is also good as sanded and refinished, with scattered dents and scratches, a few light chips, a discreetly repaired split in the wrist, and a crack ahead of the lock. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 1211 Revolutionary War Era English Light Dragoon Sword Inscribed with a Crest - The 35 1/2 inch long blade has a “crown/9” mark on the right ricasso and “GILL” on the left. Thomas Gill (1744-1801) was a prominent cutler in Birmingham in the late 18th century. The hilt has four slots in the guard, a crest with a hand and dagger over a torse on the knuckle bow, and a round pommel. The consignor listed this sword as a light dragoon saber and indicated the crest is for the Ker/Kerr family. The famous Potter Light Dragoon sabers used a similar hilt. Lt. Mark Kerr served with the 17th Light Dragoons during the American Revolutionary War in Captain Needham’s Troop. The 17th Light Dragoons were originally formed as the 18th Regiment of Light Dragoons and later became the famous 17th Lancers that participated in the Charge of the Light Brigade. During the American Revolution, they were part of the siege of Boston and fought at Bunker Hill. They were later engaged at the battles of Long Island, White Plains, and Fort Washington in 1776; Fort Clinton and Fort Montgomery in 1777; Crooked Billet and Barren Hill in 1778; and later fought at Cowpens with Tarleton’s Legion. CONDITION: Very good with mottled gray and brown patina overall, mild pitting, and some nicks and dings. The grip is fine and has only a few scrapes spots. Estimate: 1,500 - 2,500
LOT 1212
Cast Iron 3-Pounder Naval Style Cannon with History - , black/grey finish. This unidentified cannon exhibits styling of naval guns from the early 18th century until the early
19th century. With a bore diameter of approximately 3 inches it would have fired approximately 3 pound shot. The two stage barrel is approximately 41 inches long from muzzle
to cascabel with a reinforcing band toward the flared muzzle and one on either side of the touch hole. The trunnions are unmarked.
Included with it is a 1976 article from the Darien (Connecticut) News-Review about a Harry S. Street (Great Grandfather of consignor). The
article discusses a cannon which had been in possession of Street’s Great Grandfather purchased it from the Brooklyn Navy Yard when
some old ships were being dismantled. This unnamed Great Grandfather had the cannon mounted on a carriage, and being a Democrat,
is said to have wheeled it around town, firing it off to celebrate a Democrat being elected president. At the time, it appears that Darien,
Connecticut was a strongly Republican area, whose residents did not take kindly to such celebratory behavior. Some time in the late
1850s to early 1860s a group of these disgruntled Republicans hatched a grand old plan to steal the cannon, which they did, and proceeded
to throw it in the Five Mile River. Years later the son of the original owner happened to snag a line from his oyster boat on the cannon, pulled it up, and returned it to his father. His
father mounted the gun back on its carriage and continued celebrating Democratic victories as he had before. This time the Republicans had had enough, and somewhere around
the early 1900s, again stole the cannon and buried it in a basement covered in concrete. Years later Harry Street discovered the location of the cannon and asked permission to dig it
up, which was initially refused by the basement owner. Thankfully the basement owner finally gave in, writing in his will, that for a fee of $10 to his estate, Harry would be allowed to exhume the cannon. From there the gun stood guard in Harry’s lawn, and then his son’s lawn, before arriving here for us to offer to you. It is hard to say what stories this gun would have to tell of its naval career, but it certainly appears to have had a retirement full of excitement! CONDITION: Relic condition showing a mixture of black and grey paint finishes, brown patina, oxidation, and some heavy pitting associated with being submerged and buried for some time. A historical piece with a great story that would enhance any gun room!
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
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