{"id":1026,"date":"2023-04-28T21:26:31","date_gmt":"2023-04-28T21:26:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=1026"},"modified":"2023-04-28T21:26:31","modified_gmt":"2023-04-28T21:26:31","slug":"collectible-firearms-for-serious-gun-collectors-77","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=1026","title":{"rendered":"Collectible Firearms for Serious Gun Collectors"},"content":{"rendered":"


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When it comes to fierce battles, rich history, and a wealth of innovative weapons<\/a>, it\u2019s hard to match the Civil War era. There\u2019s little wonder that today\u2019s collectors are drawn to relics from the conflict, and some of the finest, scarcest, and most historic Civil War guns for sale can be found at Rock Island Auction Company.<\/p>\n

Civil War guns owned by famous figures from the era are some of the most sought-after items in the collecting pursuit, like the historic Jefferson Davis revolver<\/a>pictured above and the pair of Moore\u2019s Patent gilt derringer pistols inscribed to General Abner Doubleday<\/a> featured below. Apocryphally declared the inventor of baseball, Union General Abner Doubleday played a significant role in the Union victory at the Battle of Gettysburg<\/a>, a turning point in the Civil War.<\/p>\n

Whether defined by their superlative condition<\/a>, immense rarity, or links to the legendary figures who fought in the conflict, Rock Island Auction Company\u2019s May 2023 Premier Firearms Auction<\/a> offers an unmatched selection of Civil War guns for sale that would complete even the most advanced collections<\/a>. From rifles, carbines, and revolvers to swords, canes, and cannons, every genre is well-represented, and you can click on the images throughout this article to learn more about each item.<\/p>\n

The Revolver Surrendered by a Captured Jefferson Davis<\/h3>\n

The story of the Jefferson Davis revolver<\/a>, one of the most important Confederate artifacts in private hands, started with John and Edwin Hines. Both brothers served in Company E of the 4th Michigan Cavalry, the regiment famous for capturing the Confederate President. This surrendered Beaumont-Adams revolver comes with complete, detailed, and documented provenance tracing the moment it came into the possession of John Hines at the capture of Jefferson Davis until its consignment in this auction through official military records, published accounts, newspaper articles, family letters, and full chain-of-ownership.<\/p>\n

The Jefferson Davis revolver represents the highest pinnacle of historic American arms collecting<\/a>, in the same elite tier as the war pistols of Hamilton<\/a>, the \u201cBull Moose\u201d Colt of Theodore Roosevelt<\/a>, and the President U. S. Grant Remington Revolvers<\/a>, all previously sold<\/a> by Rock Island Auction Company.<\/p>\n

Civil War Guns for Sale: Union Revolvers<\/h3>\n

Another immensely historic part of the Civil War, the Captain Williams presentation cased, factory engraved, silver plated, and gold trimmed Colt Model 1861 Navy revolvers<\/a> rank among the most well-known of all known Civil War Colts. Captain George Augustus Williams of the 1st U.S. Infantry saw action in some of the most noteworthy battles of the Civil War\u2019s Western Theater, including serving with the heavy artillery during the capture of New Madrid, Missouri, the Battle of Island Number Ten, and the Siege of Corinth, Mississippi. A newly promoted Williams was in command of the 47th Illinois Volunteers during Grant\u2019s Vicksburg Campaign<\/a>, where Williams was wounded and disabled during the Yazoo Pass Expedition. He received a promotion to lieutenant colonel on July 4, 1863, for his service during the Siege of Vicksburg.<\/p>\n

This matched pair of exquisite Civil War-era Colt 1861 Navy revolvers has been featured in numerous significant books on Colts and housed in prominent collections documented back to 1924.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Colt Model 1851 Navy was one of Samuel Colt\u2019s<\/a> most popular revolvers in the 19th century. Nearly all Colt Model 1851 Navy revolvers<\/a> show signs of use, and this is especially true for the U.S. Army contract revolvers that were widely fielded during the American Civil War. The very near-mint Model 1851 revolver for sale this May was manufactured in 1857 under contract for the U.S. Army but remains in as-issued condition, about as near to mint as possible for a military contract revolver from more than a century and a half ago.<\/p>\n

More than 200,000 Colt Model 1860 Army revolvers<\/a> were manufactured between 1860 and 1871, with the United States government purchasing nearly half of all models produced. Early production, fluted cylinder Colt Model 1860 Army revolvers are among the most sought-after Civil War guns for sale, with the stunning example below among the rare few surviving Model 1860 Army revolvers in such striking condition.<\/p>\n

From 1863 to 1865, the Starr Arms Co. of New York City produced 46,000 revolvers for the U.S. Ordnance Department. 25,000 Starr Arms Co. Model 1863 Army single action revolvers<\/a> were manufactured as part of the contract along with 21,000 Starr Arms Co. Model 1858 Army double action revolvers<\/a>. Both models saw hard use throughout the Civil War, and high-condition<\/a> survivors like the example below are few and far between.<\/p>\n

Rogers & Spencer Co. of Willow Dale, New York, was awarded a contract by the Ordnance Department<\/a> for 5,000 .44 caliber revolvers in November of 1864. Only 1,500 revolvers had been delivered before the conclusion of hostilities in April of 1865, with the remaining 3,500 eventually sold into surplus. The early production, three-digit serial number Rogers & Spencer Army Model single action revolver offered by Rock Island Auction Company this May appears to be unfired and shows only storage wear.<\/p>\n

Civil War Guns for Sale: Confederate Revolvers<\/h3>\n

Confederate revolvers<\/a> were born from the need to compete with the might of an industrialized North and to supply a rebel army strangled by the Union blockade. Due to their history and extreme rarity, Confederate-produced revolvers are some of the most coveted Civil War guns for sale today. One of those manufacturers was founded by Lt. Col. James H. Burton, Edward N. Spiller, and David J. Burr in 1861, with their revolver patterned on the Whitney Arms Company Navy<\/a>. Fewer than 1,500 Spiller & Burr revolvers were manufactured before production was halted in November of 1864 due to Sherman\u2019s March to the Sea, and the spectacular example in RIAC\u2019s May Premier is one of only four known round frame Spiller & Burr revolvers.<\/p>\n

Manufactured in Greensboro, Georgia by Thomas Leech and Charles Rigdon, the Leech & Rigdon revolver design was a close copy of the Colt Navy Model<\/a>, though with a distinct round barrel with an octagonal top barrel housing similar to the Colt Dragoon<\/a>. Only 1,500 Leech & Rigdon revolvers were produced between 1863 and 1864 on contract with the Confederate government, and May\u2019s auction includes one of the most exceptional examples in the collecting pursuit.<\/p>\n

One of the most unique Civil War guns for sale this May, \u201cLeMat\u2019s Grape Shot Revolver\u201d provided a soldier with versatility and comparatively high capacity. Designed by Dr. Jean Alexandre LeMat of New Orleans, these fascinating combination guns<\/a> were primarily produced in Liege, Belgium, and Paris, France, and smuggled into the South during the Civil War. The LeMat revolver was carried by numerous Confederate generals and officers such as P.G.T. Beauregard<\/a>, Braxton Bragg<\/a>, and J.E.B. Stuart<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In the months leading up to the Civil War, Colt\u2019s Manufacturing Company<\/a> sold guns to all parties until accusations of Southern sympathies forced the company to end the practice in late April of 1861. Colt revolvers continued to find their way past the Union blockade throughout the conflict. In an article titled \u201cC.L. Dragoons\u201d in \u201cThe Gun Report\u201d Volume 36, Number 8 from January 1991, author Walter L. Anderson concluded that arms dealer Cooper & Pond of New York ran a number of revolvers through the Union blockade. These efforts were likely funded by wealthy Alabama planter John Jay Crocheron<\/a> in order to equip a company of Confederate light dragoons led by a Captain Robert W. Smith. The company was named in Crocheron\u2019s honor, becoming the \u201cC.L. DRAGOONS.\u201d<\/p>\n

The New Haven Arms Co. Henry repeating rifle<\/a> is legendary among collectors for its American Civil War ingenuity and its status as the blueprint for the Winchester Model 1866<\/a> and its iconic lever gun lineage<\/a> to follow. Aside from 900 rifles purchased by the Ordnance Department in 1863 and 1864 to arm the 1st D.C. Cavalry Regiment, nearly all Henry rifles used in the Civil War were privately purchased by individual soldiers or volunteer units who wanted to have the most advanced firearm available and take advantage of the sustained firepower of a 15-shot magazine rifle. Henry rifles manufactured during the Civil War with any original finish are a remarkable rarity.<\/p>\n

Next on the list of museum-worthy Civil War guns for sale this May is a scarce example of a documented U.S. second contract Henry rifle that was issued to the 3rd Veteran Volunteer Infantry and inscribed to Archibald McAlister of Co. E of the Pennsylvania Regiment Volunteer Corps and the 3rd Regiment of Veteran Volunteers. Given the dates on the rifle, Archibald McAlister appears to have enlisted for the 1-year minimum period and would have received a $100 enlistment bounty.<\/p>\n

Sharps rifles<\/a> and carbines were fielded by elite marksmen on both sides of the Civil War. Some special New Model 1859 rifles were ordered for and used by the First and Second U.S. Sharpshooters, a green-jacketed regiment of volunteers popularly known as Berdan\u2019s Sharpshooters<\/a>. The Sharps rifle proved well suited for the role of testing an enemy\u2019s strength, slowing advances, picking off officers, and harassing a retreating foe, and the iconic rifle helped Berdan\u2019s Sharpshooters leave a lasting legacy on small unit tactics and modern warfare.<\/p>\n

The dependable Springfield Model 1861 rifle-musket was produced by Springfield Armory and about two dozen other contracted firms using interchangeable parts on a wide scale. As the primary shoulder arm used by the Union infantry during the Civil War, the Springfield Model 1861 rifle-musket saw heavy use in every major battle, and finding such a pristine condition example is a treasure for any military arms collector<\/a>.<\/p>\n

On the other side of the Mason-Dixon line, the English-manufactured Whitworth rifle became a favorite of Confederate snipers. Though more accurate than the standard Enfield infantry rifle<\/a>, the Whitworth commanded nearly four times the price and was only issued to the most proficient southern marksmen, or \u201cWhitworth Sharpshooters.\u201d<\/a> <\/p>\n

The Model 1841 \u201cMississippi\u201d rifle belongs in any complete U.S. martial firearms collection, and one of the finest examples of its kind is available this May. The Model 1841 earned its reputation during the Mexican War with the 1st Mississippi Rifles commanded by Colonel Jefferson Davis, where it earned its famous nickname<\/a>. Initially issued to light infantry and the 3rd Regiment of Mounted Rifles, the Model 1841 saw wide use with both the Union and Confederate armies during the Civil War.<\/p>\n

Civil War Guns for Sale: Exquisite Carbines<\/h3>\n

As the first military-issued repeating metallic-cartridge long gun design, the Spencer rifle and carbine<\/a> offered an unprecedented level of firepower during the Civil War. After inventor Christopher Spencer gave President Lincoln a personal demonstration of his seven-shot lever action<\/a> repeater, Lincoln pressured his Ordnance Department to adopt the new weapon. RIAC\u2019s May 2023 Premier features a War Department pattern Spencer carbine examined by noted inspector William A. Thornton, whose June 9th, 1864 letter identifies the exact gun pictured below by serial number and proceeds to offer a thorough report on the weapon.<\/p>\n

One of the many innovative breech loading carbines utilized by the Union cavalry was developed by future General Ambrose Everett Burnside during the 1850s. The Burnside carbine<\/a> became the third most purchased breech loading carbine during the Civil War after only the Sharps and the Spencer. The \u201cFifth Model\u201d Burnside carbine represents the most refined variant of General Burnside\u2019s reliable carbine design, with a \u201cguide screw\u201d in the breech block that helped accelerate the loading process<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Dr. Edward Maynard, a dentist and inventor<\/a> from New York, conceived one of the war\u2019s best breech loading carbines. Manufactured by the Massachusetts Arms Company, Maynard\u2019s single-shot, metallic-cartridge, breech loading carbine saw two variations, with several thousand First Model Maynard carbines<\/a> purchased by southern states in the lead-up to the Civil War. Approximately 20,202 Second Model Maynard carbines were manufactured from 1863 to 1865 to arm Federal cavalry units, including the 6th, 9th, and 11th Indiana Cavalry as well as the 10th and 11th East Tennessee Union Cavalry.<\/p>\n

Before he developed his famous revolvers, Ebenezer Starr patented a .54 caliber carbine with a falling block design activated by the trigger guard in 1858. As the War Between the States commenced, the federal government ordered 20,000 Starr carbines and earmarked the weapons for cavalry units in the West. In the end, the Starr became the fifth most manufactured Civil War carbine<\/a>, though high-condition offerings like the Starr carbine example below are immensely difficult to find.<\/p>\n

Civil War guns are an antique collector\u2019s dream<\/a> for the same reason the conflict was a nightmare for the Ordnance Department: a dizzying array of different gun models and ammunition were being produced to equip the vast armies being fielded. Cavalry carbines from 19 different manufacturers were adopted by the Union side alone. Elusive models like the Gwyn & Campbell Type I<\/a> and Type II carbines<\/a>, the Joslyn Model 1864 carbine<\/a>, and the James Warner carbine<\/a> are among the rarest Civil War guns for sale this May.<\/p>\n

Civil War Swords for Sale<\/h3>\n

Like the surviving firearms from the conflict, most Civil War swords<\/a> have a story to tell and a legacy to share. Needless to say, Civil War swords are arms collecting cornerstones, especially marquee condition swords owned by one of the most decorated American generals in history. General Nelson A. Miles<\/a> fought in the Civil War, earned a Medal of Honor, and put Jefferson Davis in chains. May\u2019s auction offers several swords, firearms, and additional artifacts owned by the legendary general, including a presentation-grade gilt Ames Model 1860 staff & field officer\u2019s sword<\/a> and two officer\u2019s dress swords<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Another breathtaking example of condition<\/a>, rarity<\/a>, and well-documented Civil War history<\/a> is found in this Civil War Clauberg officer\u2019s gilt presentation staff & field officer\u2019s sword. The scabbard is inscribed \u201cPresented to Capt. A. Ellis,\/by Co. C\/5th Iowa Infty\/Mar. 1st 1864\u201d and lists his battle honors as \u201cNew Madrid.\/Iuka.\/Corinth 3rd & 4th Oct. 1862.\/Jackson.\/Champion Hill.\/Vicksburg.\/Mission Ridge.\u201d Captain Albert Gallatin Ellis (1835-1918) enlisted as a private in the 5th Iowa Infantry on July 16, 1861. The 5th Iowa saw serious combat in the Western Theater<\/a> of the war, fighting in Missouri, Mississippi, and Tennessee.<\/p>\n

Another stunning presentation sword, the example below follows a similar pattern to other Model 1850 foot officer swords but with the addition of wonderfully etched floral scrolls covering nearly its entire length. An inscription on the hilt reads \u201cPresented to\/Capt. Thomas Herbert\/11 Unattached Co. Hy. Artillery Mass. Vols.\/by the Members of his Company\/Fort Independence Oct. 1863\/-‘Honor the Brave’-\u201c. Thomas Herbert served with Company I of the 8th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry before mustering into the Company G (11th Unattached Company) of the 3rd Massachusetts Volunteer Heavy Artillery which was raised on October 20, 1863 to protect the numerous forts around Washington D.C.<\/a><\/p>\n

Civil War Cannons for Sale<\/h3>\n

When it comes to the biggest Civil War guns for sale, one genre stands above the rest in terms of sheer scale and firepower. Enter the mighty cannon<\/a>, the true difference-maker in the conflict\u2019s bloodiest battles. The Model 1861 3-inch ordnance rifles were among the best and most widely used field artillery pieces of the Civil War, offering tremendous distance, accuracy, and maneuverability. With most of the roughly 350 surviving 3-inch ordnance rifles displayed in museums, historic sites, and battlefields, finding an example offered to the public is a rare opportunity indeed.<\/p>\n

Designed by Navy Lieutenant John A. Dahlgren shortly after the Mexican-American War<\/a>, the bronze-casted 12-pounder boat Howitzer was developed with the capability of being mounted and fired from a frigate, quickly remounted on a naval launch carriage, and then remounted to a field carriage to serve as light artillery for Marine landing parties. Having only a single mounting lug expedited this process and period reports claim that an experienced Dahlgren boat Howitzer crew could get off 10 shots in a minute.<\/p>\n

The Finest Civil War Guns for Sale<\/h3>\n

The Civil War spurred a renaissance in arms innovation<\/a>, so it\u2019s little wonder that gun collectors<\/a> and history enthusiasts<\/a> are drawn to relics from the period. Rock Island Auction Company\u2019s 2023 May Premier Firearms Auction offers a wide selection of Civil War guns for sale that cater to every collecting aspiration, as well as featuring firearms and militaria connected to some of the most famous American heroes<\/a> who forged their legends in the conflict.<\/p>\n

Individual objects with this type of legacy and provenance are far and few between. To have an assortment of them is all but unheard of. General Nelson Miles’ Winchester 1895 and presentation sword are outstanding and well-preserved pieces of American history.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Civil War guns for sale highlighted in the article are just a sampling of the rare rifles, revolvers, carbines, and cannon models used during this fascinating era of arms development. Browse RIAC\u2019s May Premier catalog to discover more fascinating firearms, swords, and militaria from the conflict, and subscribe to the weekly Rock Island Auction newsletter<\/a> to receive new gun blogs<\/a> and gun videos<\/a> on unique weapons from the era like the Gatling gun<\/a>, the Bowie knife<\/a>, the Pettengill\u2019s hammerless revolver<\/a>, the Butterfield Army Model disc primed revolver<\/a>, and more<\/a>.<\/p>\n


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When it comes to fierce battles, rich history, and a wealth of innovative weapons, it\u2019s hard to match the Civil War era. There\u2019s little wonder that today\u2019s collectors are drawn to relics from the conflict, and some of the finest, scarcest, and most historic Civil War guns for sale can be found at Rock Island […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1027,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1026","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1026","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1026"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1026\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1027"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1026"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1026"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1026"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}