GUN FALL 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 31, 2017.
FINE CONFEDERATE SPILLER & BURR REVOLVER, UNIQUELY SILVER PLATED WITH MASONIC DECORATION.SPILLER & BURRNAVY65136Cal. 36. Spiller & Burrs were made in Atlanta and then Macon, Georgia with a total production of less than 1,500 guns. This is a standard brass framed copy of a Whitney revolver with "CS" surcharge on left side of frame, SNd cylinder showing clear twist lines. Whether or not this gun was silver plated during the war or after is unknown, but it does retain much of its plating, especially on grip strap. This gun has an unusual set of cryptics on left side of grip frame with "L" stamped 3 times. Normally only one cryptic is seen in this position near mainspring mortise. Another cryptic "G" is also seen on opposite side of grip frame at top, which this cataloger has not noticed before. A cryptic "W" is also found on bottom of right grip. This Spiller has more cryptic markings (4) than previously noted on a Spiller. Gun has matching SN "651" on bbl, cylinder, frame, trigger guard and penciled inside each grip. The loading assembly is not numbered. There is a silver saber which appears to be a Masonic emblem inset into left grip. This gun is listed by SN in the 1963 text "Confederate Handguns" by Albaugh on pg 74. Based on most recent scholarly research, based on SNd cylinder and "W" inspector on butt, this gun was most likely made in Atlanta after the CS government took over the private operations in March 1863. PROVENANCE: Listed by SN "Confederate Handguns", Bill Albaugh, 1963, pg 74; The Confederate and Civil War estate collection of Fred Donaldson. CONDITION: Very good overall. Gun is matching and orig with exception of restored loading assembly and latch. Silver plating is intact on grip frame, internally and externally, and traces on frame and trigger guard in protected areas. Iron surfaces are grey/brown with staining and pitting. Grips are well fit with hand worn patina, edge wear and chip above the 1-3/4" silver scimitar inset on right grip. Mechanically functional with good discernible rifling in bore. 52430-8 JS (15,000-20,000)