GUN FALL 2015
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2015
EXCELLENT IDENTIFIED CONFEDERATE "JS-ANCHOR" KERR REVOLVER WITH ORIGINAL HOLSTER AND BELT OF LT COL EDWARD LILES 31ST NORTH CAROLINA. KERR REVOLVER 4239 45 45 Cal. Kerr Army revolvers were the most common imported revolver used by Confederate cavalry and officers during the Civil War. These guns typically saw hard service and rarely are found in such exceptional condition retaining most of their orig condition much less their orig belt and holster with ink ID "LT. COL. LILES 31ST NC". There is another inscription ending with "CSA" that is not easily discerned. Liles is listed in the North Carolina rosters orig as Captain captured at Roanoke Island of February 8, 1862. He later became Lt. Col. September 17, 1862 and resigned in April 1863. The monumental text on British imports into the Confederacy just recently published by Russ Pritchard and C A Huey The English Connection; only 3 identified Kerr revolvers are mentioned (pg 233), one being owned by Jefferson Davis and SN 4239 being owned by Lt. Col. E R Liles 31st Regiment North Carolina Troops. This gun is in marvelous condition retaining much of its orig finish. The English Kerr holster is one of few known and the imported Kerr belt is unique at least to an identified example. Identical holsters are also shown in text. PROVENANCE: Steve Hockett Collection; A & S Auctions, Waco, Texas, Nov 10, 2001; Tommy Knox Collection; Collection of Jim Maconkey. CONDITION: Single action revolver is fine to very fine retaining about 60% bright blue to bbl and housing with remainder mostly plum with some small dings, dents and scratches. Frame and trigger guard retain traces of blue in protected areas with balance mostly plum. Cylinder has thin traces of blue with balance plum, with staining and pitting. Gun is complete and matching. Stocks retain much of their orig varnish with some red wax staining in diamond point cross-hatching below lock. The same red wax stains are found inside holster. There are a couple of chips in diamond points. Mechanically gun functions well with bright crisp bore. Holster is sound and solid missing in the tab, finial button is loose. Ink conscription is discernible as can be seen in photos and described above. Holster has cracking, crazing and water damage which has turned black at toe. Accompanying orig import belt has glued repair, missing portion of tongue. 49442-9 JS (8,000-12,000)