CampSite Artifacts  ·

Here is a Beautiful Little Smith & Wesson No. 1 Seven Shot Revolver with Factory Letter ! Though this one was produced in 1868, it is identical to the almost 50,000 of these 2^nd Issue Models that were produced before the Civil War ended, and often found their way into officers and soldiers pockets. This fine example has obviously been restored, and I can say after owning an 1859 production example that was known to be factory re-worked, this restoration appears identical in quality and finish. Though Horace Smith and Daniel Wesson had first worked together as early as 1852, on the Volcanic pistols, they sold that company in 1855, and started a new one “Smith & Wesson” in 1856. These little No. 1 revolvers were the first product of their new company, thus the simple title Model No. 1 . Using the new self contained .22 caliber rimfire cartridge, the little seven-shooters quickly became quite popular with the public, and as mentioned before, soldiers and officers, as a hideout or pocket gun. This example shows probably 98% of its mirror blue finish remaining, with only one small area near the left side of the muzzle showing some wear and a tiny bit of pin prick surface rust. That may be holster or sleeve wear. The silver plated frame looks to have 99% of its silver plating still intact with a beautiful smooth mirror finish as well. All the metal edges are crisp and all the markings easily legible. The original rosewood grips show about 80% of their original finish. The mechanical function is very crisp, indexing correctly each time, and locking up good. Crisp marking on top of the barrel reads, “Smith & Wesson Springfield Mass.” The serial number of “120, 533” is clear on the butt of the grip and also stamped on the inside of the right wood grip. The matching assembly numbers of “ C 1” are stamped on the right inside of the grip frame, the front face of the cylinder, and the back of the barrel breech. The cylinder is marked with the patent dates, 1855, 1859, & 1860. The Factory Letter that accompanies the revolver is specific to this exact serial number and mentions that the little pistol was probably shipped on May 21^st, 1868, to J.W. Storrs, in New York, New York. It also says that this revolver was part of a shipment of 100 delivered to Storrs, and says that “this revolver was shipped with a 3 & 3/16 inch barrel, two tone finish, with a plated frame, and blue barrel.” There are still S &W No. 1’s out there, but many are rough and ragged looking. This one displays superbly, and has the factory letter to go with it. The No. 1 was the first commercially successful collaboration between Smith & Wesson, and the beginning of a legendary line of revolvers. In the August 19^th, 2009, article about the top ten handguns of all time, American Rifleman Magazine rated the S & W Model No. 1 in fourth place, saying, “ The little seven-shooter, however, is arguably the granddaddy of all modern handguns.” Though it is just a few years post Civil War this is still a Great Piece of American Firearms History !

        $650 plus shipping

Here is a Nice Old Percussion Single Shot Belgian Pocket Pistol ! It is a smooth bore of approximately .60 caliber with a fairly clean bore and clear channel from the nipple. It’s completely unmarked except for nice engraving throughout, even down to some of the screws. It has a swell at the muzzle and the engraving on top of the barrel was I believe, silver filled, though some of it is gone. The pistol measures about 7.5 inches total length, with the barrel being about 2.75 inches. The original ramrod is gone, though there is a crude replacement. There is also a very old repair to the front of the stock, and you can see the line where a piece of wood was replaced in the seventh picture. It was quite well done and the entire pistol is still tight. The back action lock still has both positions though the first position will not hold when the trigger is pulled. For not much more than you’d pay for a typical percussion boot pistol, this one makes a great display ! Overall, just a Neat Old Large Bore European Pocket Pistol !

         $295 plus shipping

         NEW !
Here is a Nice Original .69 Caliber Flintlock Musket w/Bayonet ! It definitely looks manufactured to export, due to the scarcity of markings, but about 35 years before the American Civil War. Due to the lack of markings, I was initially unsure if this is a Model 1822 French, a Model 1828 Austrian patterned after the 1822 French, or a Belgian copy of one or the other. I see no evidence of the butt stock ever having had the circular plug often seen on French examples, and after seeing a similar musket sell at auction with the same barrel length, I believe it is a Model 1828, Austrian. It has a 37 inch barrel, with a total length of 53 inches and appears to have been manufactured in that configuration, with no evidence of being shortened. As I said, there are very few markings. Of the few, the left side of the barrel near the breech shows a proof mark of three “flames” and the date 1832. All three barrel bands show a number of “43” the upper two on the side and the lower one on the bottom. The lock plate is unmarked, as is the top of the barrel and the barrel tang. The lock screws, hammer screw, tang screw, and the spring screws are all marked with a number 2. On the right back corner of the wood butt stock is a white number 65. And that is all the markings I see. All the metal has a nice mostly smooth gunmetal gray color, with a few areas of brown, but very little pitting. The lock still has a strong spring and functions as it should, holding good in both positions, and releasing the hammer when the trigger is squeezed. Both sling swivels are present and working though stiff. The ramrod appears to be the original tulip head pattern with threads at the other end. The wood grain shows very well, almost having a tiger stripe appearance on the butt stock, and there are no damaged areas. The left side of the butt stock has the recessed cheek rest seen on both the 1822 French patterns, and the 1828 Austrian patterns. I’m not sure the bayonet is the original mate to this weapon, but it fits the musket perfectly and the lock ring functions correctly. On the front of the socket it is marked, “No. 130.”, and on the rear flat of the blade, “9G”. It has an 18.75 inch blade with a total length of 22 inches. The metal shows a mostly gray color with old remnants of some kind of coating, but very little pitting. Overall, just a Nice Looking & Fully Functional ca. 1820’s -1830’s European Flintlock Musket, w/Bayonet !

         $1200 plus shipping

Here is a Fine & Uncommon P1858 Enfield Naval Rifle Probably Purchased by the State of Louisiana ! Overall, this weapon is in excellent condition, with all the metal having a nice smooth gray/brown patina, and exhibiting only the usual pitting around the nipple and bolster area. The wood stock still has a good amount of its original finish also. These Navy Rifles are similar to the P1856 2-Band Rifle with several differences. The P1858 Navy has a thicker barrel with 5- land and groove rifling, an 1100 yard rear sight, and brass furniture instead of iron. The right side of the barrel has a bayonet lug for cutlass. This particular rifle is quite unusual. It is almost completely unmarked except for the Birmingham Proofs on left rear of the barrel, and a Star with the letters TC on the top flat of the barrel. The proofs of 24 * 24* indicate .58 caliber not the usually seen .577, which definitely indicates it was produced for export. The exterior of the lock plate is completely unmarked, and I see no cartouches or other markings in the wood. Upon partial dis-assembly there are roman numeral mating numbers of VIII, on the bottom of the barrel, the bottom edge of the lock plate, and in the wood inside the lock cavity. The ramrod is not marked though it appears to be original to the rifle. The brass butt plate and trigger guard have a wonderful mellow golden green patina and both sling loops are present and operational. The lock operates as it should with the hammer holding in both positions and releasing when the trigger is pulled. The 5- land and groove rifling is still sharply defined with only minor pitting present. The only mark I see on the inside of the lock plate is the number 20. On the bottom of the barrel in addition to the mating mark, are the letters RM, HM, a large L, and a small T. I say this gun was likely purchased by the State of Louisiana, but it seems there are two camps of thought on this. One says that the Star & TC is indicative of import and sale by Tiffany & Co. of New York, and there are sabers known with this mark. However, in the new book, The Confederate Enfield, by Captain Steven W. Knott, U.S.N. retired, the Star & TC indicates Louisiana Property. I briefly corresponded with Captain Knott when purchasing his book, and he said that there were a few Louisiana Enfields known with the Star mark on the breech area of the barrel like this one, instead of in the wood on the bottom of the comb area of the stock. The mark is known with and without an -L- in the center of the star, with and without the viewer’s initials of TC, and with both a 5 or 6 point star. I know that most of the Enfields I see on other dealer sites with this mark are described as being rifles purchased early in the war for the State of Louisiana, and delivered on Blockade Runners. But, I have priced this as simply a Fine Original Example of a Rare P1858 Enfield Navy Rifle and is is indeed.  Yet, there may be a Great Confederate History to go with it !

                 $3150  plus shipping   

                                              SOLD

Here is a Very Good Colt Model 1861 Special Musket ! This one surfaced right here locally and is just as found in completely original condition. All the metal wears a mottled gun metal gray patina that shows very well. All markings are still crisply legible. These include the lock, which is marked forward of the hammer, “ U.S. Colt’s Pt F.A. Mfg. Co Hartford, Ct.”, and back of the hammer the date, “1862.” The eagle on the flat of the bolster is still nicely visible. The left side of the barrel is marked with proofs of -V-, -P-, & an eagle head, with the word “Steel” on the left edge. The date “1862” is still visible on top of the barrel, though there is the usual pitting from the proximity of the nipple. The top of the steel butt plate is marked, U.S. All three barrel bands are marked with a -U-. The outline of the US Inspector’s Cartouche is still visible on the left flat of the stock, opposite the lock. The butt plate has some moderately pitted areas that might clean up a little better. The wood stock is in very good condition with the usual use dings and marks, but still retaining a good portion of its original finish. The left side of the butt stock shows where someone, likely a kid, marked on it with a black crayon or marker, and I can make out a large -A-, but it is not too distracting. There is also a light area on that side of the butt stock at about the middle, but again not too distracting. There is a very faint large star on the right flat of the butt stock, also in a black crayon or marker, but it is barely visible. The ramrod appears correct and original to the gun. The two leaf rear sight is still present with its 3 and 5 hundred yard leafs intact and operational. Originally, these rifles were issued in the bright, with only the rear sight and some of the screws blued, and that is the case with this example. The action is still perfectly functional, with the hammer holding in both positions and releasing when trigger is pulled. The bore still shows strong rifling up to the muzzle, though it does have the typical pitting. This Colt Rifle Musket with similarities to both the 1861 & 1863 Springfield just rates an easy NRA Very Good. A Nice Displaying, Completely Original Colt Model 1861 Special Musket !

                              SOLD