GUN SPRING 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, April 11, 2017.
EXTREMELY RARE EARLY COOK & BROTHERS NEW ORLEANS CONFEDERATE RIFLE WITH PATCHBOX AND BAYONET. COOK BROTHERS RIFLE 141 .577 Cal. .577. This is an extremely early and extraordinarily rare product of Cook & Brother Manufacturing of New Orleans. There are no more than 4 or 5 examples known of these classic 33″ Damascus barreled rifles with factory oval patchboxes. These early Cooks made in 1861 and so dated have interesting early features such as the distinct Cook hammer, saber bayonet lug with rail SNd to match gun and large fixed iron block front sight with inset dovetailed brass blade. Rear of hammer the lock is marked with the earliest version of Confederate First National flag and "COOK & BROTHER N.O. 1861" is found forward of hammer. The bbl is also marked "COOK & BROTHER N.O. 1861" rear of adjustable long-range rear sight. John Murphy and Howard Madaus in their monumental text Confederate Rifles & Muskets, 1996 discuss these rare New Orleans rifles at length. Accompanying this gun is orig Cook saber bayonet (SN 11). We are only aware of possibly only one other example of this extremely rare New Orleans rifle with patchbox which was sold in the Jim Maconkey Collection on these floors several years ago. PROVENANCE: Ex-Don Bryan Collection. CONDITION: Very good to fine overall. Metal overall brown/plum with pitting at breech. Twist in Damascus bbl is easily discerned. Markings are very good and well struck on lock and bbl markings are mostly discerned as can be seen in photographs. SNs found externally on bayonet lug, rear band, lock screws and tang screw. Bbl SN is partially discernible but obscured by pitting at the breech, as is "PROVED" on left bbl breech. Front band is SNd "202", but is no doubt an orig Cook band. Stock is sound and solid with good color, hand worn patina and no apparent restoration. Front brass sling swivel appears restored. Mechanically gun is functional with discernible rifling in bore. Accompanying bayonet with 22-1/2" Yataghan blade fits gun well and has been shimmed to fit muzzle perfectly. 51571-4 JS (25,000-35,000)