GUN FALL 2016
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
RARE AND HISTORICAL HAPPOLDT, CHARLESTON PERCUSSION CONVERSION OF SILVER MOUNTED FLINTLOCK RIFLE OF FAMOUS COLONIAL SOUTH CAROLINIAN JOHN E. COLHOUN.HALPPLDTRIFLENSN46Cal. 46. 51" overall, 34" oct bbl. This is a most unusual half-stock that is described in a 1935 WPA narrative, part of Roosevelt's New Deal on Rural Life. (Adapted by Nancy Rhyne, from the WPA files at the Caroliniana Library, University of South Carolina, Columbia), "It was in the year 1885, or thereabouts, that James H. Williams, one of Greenville's venerable and beloved men operated a hardware store on Main Street in Greenville. One morning a mountaineer came in and said he wanted to swap an old rifle for one of them guns that load at the hind end. Williams examined the rifle and was amazed to find a silver plate upon the stock on which was engraved the name John E. Calhoun. Williams examined the gun and came to the conclusion that it was, of course, the property of John C. Calhoun's father-in-law, for he married his cousin Floride Calhoun, the daughter of John Ewing Calhoun, who lived at his great house called "Keowee," located on a high hill at the confluence of the Keowee River and Twelve Mile Creek, forming the Seneca River. The old home was burned many years earlier. After the gun swap, a rifle enthusiast came forth and declared that the John Ewing Calhoun gun was either made in Charleston, or perhaps by a gunsmith of Pendleton, a Mr. Happolt, who was famed for his guns. Some of the older citizens prized their Happoldt rifles and it was not difficult to them to visualize the master of Keowee sauntering forth with this old gun for the hunt. Game was plentiful and hunting was excellent in those days when men took time to enjoy real life at home. One wonders how this gun passed into a mountaineer's hands. Bought perhaps at a sale of Calhoun property, maybe its life was not always peaceful. Perhaps its crack meant death of some dweller of the hills in some one of the long feuds. Who knows? Regardless, the gun remained in Greenville for many years, and it was the subject of much speculation." The lock on this rifle is stamped "B.G. HAPPOLDT" who was the son of famous Charleston gunsmith John M. Happoldt (1802-1881). Benjamin George Happoldt (1828-1887) is listed in Charleston city directories for only 3 years as a gunsmith, 1849-1852 when he no doubt utilized the coin silver patch box, buttplate, trigger guard, lock escutcheon, and ramrod thimble, from silver mounted flintlock rifle. Patchbox is engraved "J.E. COLHOUN / PENDLETON So Ca 1785". We have little doubt that this inscription is original and dates from 1785 when John Ewing Colhoun (1849-1802) was elected a member of the South Carolina Privy Council and Commissioner of confiscated estates. The Revolutionary War had just ended and administration of confiscated British property was important to the finances of our New Republic and State of South Carolina. Please refer to provenance for Colhoun's full biography.
The silver furniture utilized by Happoldt is clearly from the late 18th century and so similar in style to early, especially Southern rifles; rarely are seen patchboxes with captured lids, but several are known, none identical to this, but others are also unique. Benjamin Happoldt no doubt remounted this gun about 1850, utilizing the same style die markings as found on Happoldt derringer and dueling pistols of same era. This gun is untouched and as found, other than the early silver furniture that all has identical engraved thin "curtain border" edge designs, the stock lock and bbl are of Happoldt's manufacture. The walnut stock and checkering is so reminiscent of Happoldt duelers. This is a wonderful percussion rifle, no doubt made for one of Colhoun's children from their fathers silver mounted rifle, 50 years after he died while a senator from South Carolina. PROVENANCE: John Ewing Colhoun, Pendleton, SC 1785; James H. Williams, Greenville, SC 1885; Family of current consignor. CONDITION: Fine overall. Silver has silver oxidized patina and some small scratches, with crevices with remains of old polishing compound like seen on so many old silver family heirlooms. Stock is sound and very well fit with hand worn patina and sharp edges. Mechanically gun is functional, though set trigger does not function correctly. Lock and breech are silver/gray with traces of finish. Makers stamp is dbl struck, orig stamped upside down, no doubt orig. Bbl has crisp discernible rifling and is dark brown/plum overall with areas of staining. Wood ramrod appears orig with threaded iron end for worm and brass collar at tip. 51064-1 JS (7,000-9,000)