3079

EXTREMELY RARE CONFEDERATE “PALMETTO ARMORY”

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:4,000.00 USD Estimated At:8,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
EXTREMELY RARE CONFEDERATE “PALMETTO ARMORY”
MODEL 1841 "MISSISSIPPI RIFLE". Cal. 58 smooth. NSN. Bbl. 33". One of the most elusive of Confederate secondary arms is the Palmetto Armory Model 1841 rifle, which there are very few specimens known. This example was part of the Bill Gary collection. Gary was a noted Confederate collector and author of 1986 text “Confederate Handguns” and numerous articles on CS arms. His collection was sold in auction in June of 2014 and this rifle has been a part of the Dr. Fred G. Novy collection since that time. Dr. Novy is leading authority on Palmetto weapons and author of "The Palmetto Rifle" article published in American Society of Arms Collectors bulletin. He has studied most examples known in about every major institution & private collection. This gun conforms to other known Palmetto Armory rifles w/ 33" rnd. bbl., brass mounts, unique patchbox mortise never cut at factory for extra nipple & brass tipped ramrod. Lock markings: “PALMETTO ARMORY SC” in a circle around a Palmetto tree forward of hammer and “COLUMBIA / SC 1852” rear of hammer. Bbl. breech on left flat “WM GLAZE & CO” w/ proofs “P” / “V” / “Palmetto tree” proof, on tang is "53" of 1853. Buttplate is surcharged “SC” struck-over "US". This rare rifle is one of very few examples in private hands, even restored, it is a great rarity in Confederate long arms. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: a copy of the American Society of Arms Collectors (ASAC) #115; Page 115/51 "The Palmetto Rifle, An Examination of the Survivors" by Frederick G. Novy, letter & notes from Dr. Novy on this rifle. CONDITION: good to very good overall as restored. Stock is stretched from lockplate forward. Iron is pitted w/ mottled brown patina; brass is cleaned w/ light mustard patina. Lock & bbl. markings are discernible though pitting partially obscures them as seen in photos. Bbl. retains original sights, bayonet lug has been filed off & reamed to about .58 caliber smoothbore. Stock is sound & well fit w/ correct mortising inside patchbox which was never drilled for spare nipple, unique to Palmetto. Sling swivels were removed & brass studs filed off trigger guard & front band. Mechanically functional. Clean, pitted bore. PROVENANCE: Bill Gary collection, Dr. Frederick G. Novy Collection. (01-18999/JS). ANTIQUE. $8,000-10,000.