GUN SPRING 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/11/2017
EXTREMELY RARE CONFEDERATE SCOPED 2ND QUALITY WHITWORTH RIFLE.WHITWORTH1853C52952Cal. 52. There are 19 SNs known on scoped 2nd Quality Whitworth rifles. This example falls within this range that saw Confederate service, B509 and the highest C619. This gun conforms to the other examples known with "WHITWORTH RIFLE CO MANCHESTER" forward of hammer on lock and Crown over "W" rear of hammer and engraved on trigger guard plate "2ND QUALITY". Bbl marked on left of breech with Birmingham proofs, "52" gauge markings and SN "C529". Matching SNs are also found on lock, trigger guard, breech and bbl band. The brass tube Davidson scope was adjusted for elevation by turning the knurled knob on the right side of the forearm. This loosened the clamp on the left side so the 1-1/2" bar graduated in 1/16" increments could be raised and lowered, pivoting on the rear mount secured by the rear lock plate screw. The normal long range ladder sight could be used for normal short range shooting. There is extensive documentation on the acquisition of this rifle, along with correspondence regarding the use of these guns during the Civil War. This gun was originally found with the telescopic sight missing which was later purchased from Confederate authority Steve Mullinax and put back on the rifle according to documentation. In a 1992 letter from noted Whitworth authority John Morrow The Confederate Whitworth Sharpshooters, 1989. "The telescope mounted Whitworth '2nd Quality' No. C529 Rifle" described here conforms to the specification of all the other known surviving examples of the Confederate Purchase Special Arms. Specifically, it is in the correct SN range, the simple form of the iron sights, two bbl bands, lack of a safety bolt, common breech rather than patent breech, very short muzzle projection beyond the forend cap (note that the bbl appears to have lost 3/16″ at the muzzle, it should be 33″ exactly), the method of mounting the telescope the form of the checkering and everything else about it confirm this. The total number shipped in this telescopic configuration is not known but only 8 have been traced up to this moment." One identical to this gun, is pictured in Firearms of the Confederacy, plate XXIII and discussed on pages 27 and 28. An extremely rare and authentic Confederate snipers rifle in "out-of-the-attic" condition. This rifle is pictured partially and mentioned in The English Connection by Russ Pritchard and C. A. Huey. This text is the most definitive and recent book on Confederate imports from Britain. PROVENANCE: David Taylor; Ex-Collection Thomas K. Hutchinson (1924-2007), 1991. CONDITION: Iron is brown overall with staining and pitting. Gun appears orig and matching with addition of restored scope and mounts. The bbl is missing 3/16" and bore has been reamed to about 48 Cal. smooth bore. Stock is sound and solid with hand worn patina with beautiful set of initials of solider who carried this gun, carved on bottom of stock "JSW", long hairline crack about 10" on right side of stock and several other hairlines and cosmetic defects in wood as seen in photos. Gun was not disassembled, but this gun is well known with old collection history. Mechanically sound with pitted, smooth bore as noted. Scope has good optics with chip to one lens which does not affect sighting. 51671-1 JS (50,000-70,000)