May 28 & 29, 2020 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/28/2020
At the outbreak of the war, there were 6,000 Robbins & Lawrence model 1841 "Mississippi" rifles in southern arsenals due to the government response to John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry. They were distributed evenly among the Augusta Arsenal in Georgia, Mount Vernon Arsenal in Alabama and the Baton Rouge Arsenal in Louisiana. This gun features matching 1849 dates on the lock and barrel tang. Also on this gun is a Boyle, Gamble & MacFee bayonet adapter ring for a saber bayonet. The adapter ring is well marked "B.G.&M./ RICHMOND VA." under the lug, which has a bayonet mating number of "30" stamped into it. More interestingly, there is a post-Civil War presentation engraved into the patch box which reads in script: "This Enfield Rifle/ has been in the possession of the undersigned since the/ morning of the battle & victory of Roanoke Island Feb. 8th 1862/ It was captured by a soldier of the 51st Regt NY Vol Infantry/ the captor having shot and killed the rebel soldier from whom it was taken/ Presented to/ Henry A. Spaulding by his friend E. W. Buck, M.D./ May 10th 1870". While this gun is clearly not an Enfield rifle, the inscription is period and correct. E.W. Buck, or Ephraim W. Buck is listed in the 51st NY Inf muster roll as being the surgeon for the unit from October of 1861 until May of 1862. No definitive information on Henry A. Spaulding, possibly a prominent silversmith from New York City. Further research should yield interesting results. The battle of Roanoke Island, North Carolina was an amphibious engagement which also consisted of a land attack resulting in the capture of several forts and approximately 2,500 Confederate soldiers. All in all an incredibly interesting gun with a great history. CONDITION: Retains a pleasing patina, having been lightly cleaned at some point in the past. All markings are clear. Light pitting overall. Brass has a pleasing color to it. The trigger guard, butt plate and patch box show signs of having been silver plated. There are traces left on the butt plate and trigger guard. The patch box retains most of the plating. The engraved presentation on the patch box is a little worn but legible with careful study. Wood has some dings and handling marks with clear cartouches on the left side, opposite the lock. Fine mechanical function. Bore has strong rifling with pitting. GR
Caliber/Bore
.54 Percussion
Manufacturer
Robbins and Lawrence
Paperwork
Printed Transcription of Presentation