GUN FALL 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 31, 2017.
RARE CONFEDERATE SPILLER & BURR SOLID FRAME "TRANSITIONAL" ATLANTA PISTOL FACTORY REVOLVER, BEST OF THREE KNOWN EXAMPLES. SPILLER & BURR TRANSITIONAL NSN 36 Cal. 36. Just after the first model Spillers were completed and inspected in April 1863, so many failed due to the thin brass frame copied from Whitney, this model is thought to be transitional by the late Spiller scholar Bruce Kusrow. This model has a heavier, thicker frame than the standard production guns. This is by far the best known and finest condition of the 3 surviving specimens. Like the other transitional guns this example is devoid of SNs and has a distinct "keyhole" shaped loading aperture unique to these transitions. This particular example has been known for many years and was once part of the famous William Locke collection and is pictured in his book. Dimensionally these guns are quite similar in iron components, but the top strap of the frame is much bulkier, fully 25% more metal. The stocks are also heftier though still with the distinctive ferule and flat interface at frame. The cylinder shows distinct twist lines where cylinder was made from twisted iron bar prior to the Confederate government buying the Atlanta pistol factory and using steel most often seen on the Macon produced revolvers. William Albaugh in his 1955 text writes a good history and description of one of these unserialized guns, The Confederate Brass Framed Colt & Whitney. A more recent history of Spiller & Burr revolvers was written by Matthew Norman, Colonel Burton's Spiller & Burr Revolver, 1996. PROVENANCE: William Locke collection; pictured on page 281 "The William M. Locke Collection" by Frank Sellers, 1973; Gary Bizacky collection. CONDITION: Very good to fine overall and especially nice for a Confederate revolver. Gun appears original and complete with traces of finish in protected areas and smooth mustard colored brass. The well fit grips retain traces of original varnish. There is an odd shallow inset on front edge of top of frame which quite possibly is from time of manufacture and appears to be from where a front sight would have been slotted. Mechanically functional with crisp, well defined rifling in bore. 52240-1 JS (20,000-25,000)