3007

Rare Confederate Bilharz Hall & Co. Percussion Carbine

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:2,500.00 - 5,000.00 USD
Rare Confederate Bilharz Hall & Co. Percussion Carbine
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Originally attributed to D.C. Hodgkins & Sons of Macon, Georgia. More recent research indicates that these carbines were made by Bilharz, Hall & Co. of Pittsylvania Courthouse, Virginia (See Confederate Carbines and Musketoons" by J.M. Murphy) for the Confederate Government in late 1863 to early 1864 with a total number produced estimated at only somewhere between 400 to 700. The carbine is a 58 caliber muzzle loader, with a 22" barrel, which was closely copied after the Springfield Model 1855 carbine. The only remaining visible markings on the carbine is the "P" on the left side of the barrel near the breech. The barrel is fitted with fixed iron sights and the swivel base where the swivel ramrod was once attached. The carbine is mounted with a one piece straight grip walnut stock with an iron forend and a period replaced modified carbine buttplate. The wrist has been crudely period checkered. The trigger guard should have a sling ring attached to the back (this trigger guard is on backwards). Like a lot of Confederate arms, these were apparently handmade due to the lack of the facilities, unlike that of the North.
BBL: 22 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 58 percussion
Finish: brown
Grips:
Serial Number: NSN
Condition: Fair as period modified. The carbine has a has a dark brown patina with some heavy pitting on the breech end of the barrel and moderate oxidation on the balance. The remaining metal surfaces have heavy pitting, except for the barrel band and forend cap. The stock is good. With the exception of a moderate chip and a few small chips around the buttplate, there are some overall scattered minor dents, dings and scratches, and some minor chipping on the edge of the ramrod channel. The action needs some work, but functions properly. All in all this example is above average for the heavily used Confederate weapons normally seen.