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LOT 1183
Exceptional Civil War U.S. Contract Rodgers &
Spencer Army Model Percussion Revolver - Serial no.
5058, 44 cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut
grips. 5,000 of the estimated 5,800 manufactured were
produced under contract for the U.S. Government c. late 1864-1865,
per page 368 of “Flayderman’s Guide”. When the Civil War ended in April 1865,
1,500 revolvers had been delivered; the remaining 3,500 were delivered by
September 1865. The revolvers were apparently never issued
and were subsequently sold by military surplus dealer Francis
Bannerman. This example has single letter inspector initials
stamped on various components and the “RPB” inspection
cartouche of Captain Robert P. Barry on the left grip. Matching
visible serial numbers on bottom of the barrel, loading lever,
cylinder, left of frame, interiors of both grip panels, and on
the butt. The barrel has a standard silver cone front sight, and the top strap has the Rogers &
Spencer address markings and groove rear sight.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 85% plus bright original high polish blue finish with some
flaking on the barrel, strong patterns of original case colors on the loading lever and hammer,
smooth brown patina on the balance, and sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. Grips
are fine, with tight fitment, some chips on the lower left edge, hairlines in the right grip panel,
distinct edges, and a crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 1184
Fine Civil War U.S. Martially Inspected Starr
Model 1858 Army Double Action Percussion
Revolver - Serial no. 5653, 44 cal., 6 inch round bbl.,
blue finish, walnut grips. The Starr Model 1858 and
Model 1863 Army revolvers as a group were the third
most widely used revolvers by the Union forces during the Civil
War. Approximately 23,000 Model 1858 Army revolvers were manufactured in
the late 1850s to early 1860s, with the majority sold to the U.S. government, per
page 374 of “Flayderman’s Guide”. The frame has the New York address on the left
side and the 1856 patent date on the right. Most of the components have single
letter inspection
marks. All
matching visible
serial numbers
marked on the
front surface of
the frame below
the loading
lever, underside
of the barrel,
inside of the hammer well, hammer, cylinder, trigger, left side of the front grip strap, underside
of the rear grip strap, and stamped on the top surface of the one-piece walnut grip. Crisp
bordered script inspection cartouches stamped on both sides of the grip at the bottom.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 60% plus bright original high polish blue finish and case colors, with
smooth brown and gray patina on the balance, light pitting, and defined markings. Grip is very
fine, with rich oil finish, handling marks, and crisp cartouches. Mechanically functions, although
single action requires manual assistance.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 1185
Exceptional Civil War U.S. Starr Model 1863 Army Single Action
Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 42803, 44 cal., 8 inch round bbl., blue finish,
walnut grips. Approximately 32,000 of these Model 1863 revolvers were manufactured c.
1863-1865, with the majority purchased on government contract, per page 374 of “Flayderman’s
Guide”. The Starr Arms Co. Model 1863 Army revolver was one of the most widely issued revolvers
of the American Civil War alongside the Colt Model 1860 Army and the Remington New Model Army.
Most show signs of significant use, but this revolver remains in exceptional condition. It has the Starr address
and patent markings on either side of the frame, with single letter U.S. Ordnance sub-inspection marks on various
components. Matching visible serial numbers on the barrel, front surface below the loading lever, inside the
hammer well, and cylinder.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 80% plus original blue finish, 75% original case colors on the loading
lever and hammer, with smooth brown patina on the balance, some oxidation, and crisp markings. Grip is excellent, with minor
handling marks and distinct edges. Mechanically needs work, as the cylinder requires manual assistance to rotate.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 1186
Exceptional Martially Inspected Civil War U.S. Contract
E. Remington & Sons New Model Army Percussion Revolver - Serial no.
79752, 44 cal., 8 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. This U.S. inspected example was
manufactured between 1863-1865, and the New Model Army continued to be manufactured
until 1875, and represents the last of Remington’s .44 caliber percussion
revolvers. Remington’s revolvers were the second most widely issued by the
Union throughout the Civil War. “PATENTED SEPT. 14. 1858/E. REMINGTON
& SONS. ILION NEWYORK.U.S.A./NEW-MODEL” marked in three lines on the
top barrel flat. Matching serial numbers located on the barrel, trigger guard
lug, left of the grip frame, handwritten on the underside of both grip panels,
and cylinder unnumbered. Single letter sub-inspection marks on various
components. Boxed script “BH” inspection cartouche stamped on the left grip
panel. Threaded “pinched” blade front sight and top strap groove rear sight.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 75% plus bright original high polish blue finish with some flaking to smooth brown and
gray patinas, 90% vivid original case colors on the hammer, some light oxidation, attractive golden aged patina on the brass
trigger guard, and crisp barrel markings. Grips are excellent with distinct edges, a few light handling marks and minor nicks, and
an exceptionally crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Howard “Skip” Quade Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 1187
Scarce Remington Commercial Model of 1865
Navy Frame Rolling Block Pistol - NSN, 50 RF cal., 8 1/2 inch round bbl.,
casehardened/blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured from 1866 to 1875, this pistol
is essentially the civilian version of the Navy Model of 1865/1866, making it very rare. It is
estimated by Jerry Landskrom in “Remington Rolling Block Pistols” that less than 500 of these
commercial versions of the Navy pistols were made. The top of the barrel is marked with the
Navy anchor and “REMINGTON’S ILION.N.Y. PATd OCT.1.1861 NOV.15.1861” but bears no other inspection marks,
typical of the commercial models. The front sight is the standard fixed pinched style, and a notch in the top of
the breech block serves as the rear sight. The barrel is blue, the hammer a nitre blue, and the remaining metal is
casehardened. Fitted with a smooth walnut forearm and one-piece grip that is numbered “4” inside.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 30% thinned original blue
finish. There are traces of original case colors on the
frame (mainly under the grips) and flashes of nitre blue
on the hammer and breech block with the balance
a smooth grey patina. The wood shows some minor
dings, dents, and scratches consistent with use, and
strong varnish overall. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500