November 3-4, 2017 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/4/2017
This is a standard Model 1836 with a scarcely encountered Confederate conversion. Round smoothbore steel barrel is stamped near breech "U.S./JH/P" and with small "H" and has a small brass half moon front sight and oval rear sight mounted on the tang. Flat lockplate with rounded tail section, converted to percussion using scroll-engraved hammer and round drum. Lockplate stamped in the center with an eagles head and "A.H. WATERS & CO./MILBURY MASS/1838". Standard Model 1836 steel furniture and swivel type ramrod with button plunger, swivel itself is absent. Some furniture stamped with small inspector's marks. Plain walnut half-stock, stamped in block letters, inside sideplate cavity "CSA 1862". Two nice inspector's cartouches on left side of stock, behind sideplate. Accompanied by a copy of an article by Harry H. Mann about these conversions. The pistol featured in the article is nearly identical, using the same hammer and conversion, but stamped "S. SUTHERLAND, C.S.A. 1861" in the sideplate cavity. Samuel Sutherland was the Master Armorer of the Confederacy, and this pistol is assumed to have been done by him as well. He was known for repairing and converting captured Northern arms for the Confederacy. Good condition, all steel components retain a light grey spotted patina, and have a few scattered light marks and areas of freckling. Some heavy corrosion near breech. Markings very good. Stock very good with a few scattered marks from use.
Caliber/Bore
.54 Smoothbore