3303 SCARCE CONFEDERATE BLOCKADE RUN WEDGE-FRAME

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This item SOLD at 2023 May 14 @ 15:00UTC-4 : AST/EDT
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 1,000.00 USD
Estimated at 2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD

WEBLEY REVOLVER PROBABLE SURVIVOR OF SAYLOR’S CREEK BATTLE. Cal. 54 bore. S# 3375. Bbl. 6.3". 12" overall, solid frame and integral barrel/top strap, held by wedge. This was popular big bore army revolver by Confederate cavalry & officers during the Civil War. Guns numbered 2500-5500 usually marked "Bentley Patent" or unmarked like this example have been found in the US and several have CS provenance including S#s 3111, 3221, & 5054 on well-known Pratt list of issued revolvers in Company H, 18th Virginia Cavalry. S# 3366 was carried by Col. John Spring Smith of Alabama, S#s 3176 & 5553 in Virginia Historical Society identified to Confederate officers.
This revolver, Kerr S# 1379, and Griswold S# 2041 (sold on these floors 11-8-2021, lot 3002) were from an estate sale near Farmville, VA and all 3 revolvers were “as found”. Consignor believes revolvers were retained souvenirs from the last major battle of Civil War, Saylor’s Creek. Indeed, Farmville is nearest town to last major fight of Lee’s Army just outside Appomattox. This and other two associated revolvers whistle Dixie for their surface & patina. CONDITION: very good overall, traces of finish, overall mottled smooth iron patina, pitting, clear serial number and British proofs on cylinder and barrel. Well fit checkered wood grips. Revolver functions in both single action and double action, rotates cylinder but not hold position, well defined multi groove rifling. (01-23282/JS). $2,000-3,000.