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LOT 3170
Very Scarce Cased Engraved and A.B. Griswold & Co., New Orleans Retailer Marked Tranter Patent Five-Shot “Treble Action” Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 21854, 80 bore cal., 4 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, checkered walnut grips. This is a very rare example of Tranter’s “5th Model” or “Export Model” revolver known to collectors as the “Treble Action” or “Triple Action.” Whilst retaining Tranter’s famous double action self-cocking double trigger mechanism, the 5th Model also incorporates a thumb-cocked single action hence the classification “Treble Action.” Tranter historian and collector Jim Hallam estimated that less than fifty of these revolvers survive. This particular revolver is engraved along the top strap and upper flat of the barrel “MADE BY WM. TRANTER FOR A.B. GRISWOLD & CO., NEW ORLEANS.” The serial number falls c. 1865-1866. The firm Hyde & Goodrich became Thomas, Griswold & Co. in 1861 and then became A.B. Griswold & Co. in 1865. They were retailers of imported fancy goods, including a small number of “Treble Action” Tranter revolvers, and remained in business until 1924. Early in the Civil War, as Thomas, Griswold & Co., they sold arms to the Confederates until New Orleans fell to the Union in June of 1862. The revolver has a blued octagonal barrel with cone front sight, notch rear sight to the blued top strap, and blued frame with sprung hammer safety stop and sprung arbor catch. The frame, trigger mechanism and rammer are each marked “W. TRANTER’S PATENT”. The revolver is profusely engraved with scrollwork throughout. Birmingham proof marks. Walnut butt with multi-point checkering. In original mahogany fitted case lined in green baize with a suite of accessories including Tranter patent brass 80 bore bullet mold, pewter oiler, Hawksley brass mounted copper powder flask and three japanned tins respectively for Tranter’s lubricating bullets, Tranter’s lubricating composition and Eley pistol caps.
CONDITION: Fine with slightly softened engraving throughout. The revolver retains 20% original blue finish throughout within sheltered areas. The checkering on the walnut butt is shallow and has been smoothed by handling, and the left leading edge of the grip has an old chip. The case is very good
with exterior age related wear and staining, the lid cracked around two of the border screws, and the keyhole escutcheon missing. The lining has age wear and staining with some rub marks from the revolver. The compartment lid lifting button is chipped. The accessories are very good, one japanned cap tin lid label incomplete. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 3171 U.S. Harpers Ferry Model 1819 Hall Confederate Attributed Percussion Conversion Breech Loading Rifle - NSN, 52 cal., 32 5/8 inch round bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Designed from the ground up by John Hall including the machinery and methods of manufacturing, these rifles were very innovative for the time and are considered the first firearm to successfully achieve true parts interchangeability, the first nationally adopted breech loading firearm, and also the first breech loading firearm to see widespread military use. In 1826, a government commission disassembled 100 Hall rifles, mixed up the parts, and re-assembled them on newly received stocks with no reported problems and thus confirmed Hall’s success. This example has been converted to percussion from its original flintlock configuration, which was commonly done by the Confederacy during the Civil War. Standard offset blade and notch sights, button head ramrod, “J. H. HALL/H. FERRY/US/1833” marked on the breechblock. CONDITION: Fine as period converted to percussion, retaining 85% original brown finish on the barrel, frame and fittings, and strong casehardened finish mixed with smooth brown and gray patina on the breech block showing clear markings. Stock is also fine with some light handling marks, a few minor cracks around the buttplate, some scuffs concentrated to the left of buttplate tang, and distinct edges overall. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
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