GUN FALL 2015
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2015
VERY RARE CASED AND INSCRIBED LOUIS HOFFMAN, VICKSBURG, MISS AGENT MARKED LARGE FRAME TRANTER ARMY REVOLVER.LOUIS HOFFMANTRANTER2084845Cal. 45, This is the largest of the popular Tranter patent revolvers that saw service from the late 1850''s through the 1860''s. This example conforms to other large frame double action revolvers of this configuration with 6" octagonal bbl, with various Tranter patent marks on loading assembly, frame and cocking trigger. Small British proofs appear on each cylinder chamber and bbl. This is the only example we are aware marked "LOUIS HOFFMAN, VICKSBURG, MISS" on top strap. Gun is elegantly engraved with scrolls and has one piece checkered grips, nickel plated. Gun is cased in English mahogany box, compartmentalized with brass and steel "Tranters Patent" 2-cavity mold, three varnished tins, each with Tranters Patent for caps, lubricating composition and "Patent Lubricating Bullets". Also accompanying is James Dixson pewter oiler, five extra nipples, and a James Dixson bag flask and ebony handled cleaning rod. Doug Eberhart and R L Wilson in their text The Deringer in America, Volume 1 state “The son of a Prussian Army officer, Louis Ferdinand Alexander Hoffman was born in Stettin, Germany on November 23, 1823. He emigrated to New York in 1852, settling first in Paterson, New Jersey, moving on to St. Louis, and arriving finally in Vicksburg in 1853. He worked initially at the machine shops and foundry of Cimmerman and Reading, but as soon as he had saved enough money, opened his own gun shop. In the Vicksburg Weekly Whig of October 7, 1857 Hoffman advertised that “He will make new rifles to order; stock guns and pistols in a superior manner; and do all the repairing in the shortest notice.” Four years later the Vicksburg Daily Evening Citizen of May 2, 1861 carried an ad listing Hoffman as a “Wholesale dealer in guns, pistols, revolvers, gun materials, sporting apparatus, fishing tackle, & all kinds of repairing in this line done by the best workmen at the most reasonable rates”. The Civil War saw Hoffman repairing guns for the Confederacy until the fall of Vicksburg, when he became a Master Armorer for the Union Army. However, his considerable fortune had been lost and he was deeply in debt when the War ended. Unwilling to renege on his debts, he once again built up his guns and hardware business and proved an astute real estate entrepreneur as well. By 1868, he had expanded his business to include farm implements and household appliances as well as “every variety of pistols, including single barrel, double barrel, four barrel, five barrel, six barrel, Derringer, Allen, Colt, Smith & Wesson, Remington, pepper box & guns of every price and style, single barrel shot guns, muskets, double barrel guns with one barrel rifle and the other smooth bore, English… and American, Mississippi, Kentucky, western, or any other kind of rifle...” Plaque on top of casing "E.T. GOODE". This is a unique offering of most likely the only known Mississippi agent marked fancy Civil War era English import Army revolver and this is a beautiful example in original casing. PROVENANCE: Ex Norm Flayderman Collection. CONDITION: Gun overall, is very good to fine. Retaining strong traces of original nickel with balance polished steel with light pitting in areas, engraving and other markings are well discerned as can be seen in photos. Grips retain traces of original bright varnish and diamond point checkering is very good with light edge wear. Casing is sound and solid, missing lock though brass keyhole escutcheon plate is found in casing. Casing retains much of its original varnish with scuffs, dings, dents and scratches associated with 150 years. Case lining is worn, soiled and faded. There are several chips to compartments but sound and solid. Pewter oiler, bag flask and mold are all fine retaining original finish. Tins are all very good with chipped labels on cap tin and lubricant tin. The wood and brass cleaning rod is broken and should be repaired. Mechanically gun functions well, which is often not the case in this complex multi-piece cocking mechanism and cylinder locking mechanism. Bore exhibits well defined rifling though dirty and pitted. 48993-1 JS (12,500-17,500)