GUN SPRING 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, April 11, 2017.
RARE CONFEDERATE MENDENHALL, JONES & GARDNER STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA CONTRACT RIFLE.MENDENHALL JONES & GARDNERRIFLE926.577Cal. .577. Mendenhall, Jones & Gardner of Jamestown, North Carolina contracted with the State of North Carolina and produced rifles of several patterns. This pattern is a copy of a US Model 1841 "Mississippi" and is known as a Type II rifle as characterized by Madaus & Murphy in their definitive text Confederate Rifles & Muskets, 1996. 32-5/8" bbl, 48" overall, brass blade front sight, fixed rear iron sight, saber bayonet lug,. correct straight iron buttplate, brass trigger guard, bbl bands and nosecap. Brass-tipped iron ramrod appears contemporary and matching. Lockplate is marked rear of hammer "C.S. / 1863" and forward of hammer "M. J. & G. / N.C". Initial "B" is carved on left side of buttstock, probably denoting soldier who carried this scarce Confederate rifle. Opposite lock, in wood, is "M. J. & G." cartouche, though it is only partially discernible. SN 926 appears inside lockplate and on trigger. This is a pleasing example of a scarce gun with good markings and aesthetics, along with orig Confederate linen sling. PROVENANCE: Ex-Don Bryan Collection. CONDITION: Metal surfaces overall are grey/brown with pitting. Bbl proofs not discernible due to pitting, though the "C" can be partly seen in the "NC/P". Rifling is very good but pitted. Lock markings are clear and discernible as seen in photos. Stock is sound and solid with horizontal crack repair in forestock. Gun appears orig and matching with exception of iron rear sight and brass front sight which appear to be contemporary replacements. Linen sling is fragile, soiled with reductions, leather billet has had some modern reinforced stitches restored. Mechanically, gun is sluggish and will not hold cock. 51571-2 JS (20,000-30,000)