GUN SPRING 2018
The live portion of this session begins on Wednesday, March 21, 2018.
CONFEDERATE STATE OF TENNESSEE JOHN OVERTON CONTRACT RIFLE. OVERTON 1841 NSN 54 This M1841 style rifle is certainly one of the finest surviving State of Tennessee contract rifles, commonly known as an "OVERTON" rifle. Documentary evidence indicates that only 292 of these rifles were delivered to the Confederacy before Nashville fell to the Federals, February 1862. See Chapter XLIII in Murphy and Madaus Confederate Rifles & Muskets, 1996, pgs 555-566. These Tennessee Contract rifles were manufactured or assembled by six Nashville contractors between (June) 1861 and (Feb) 1862. (John Overton was employed at Harpers Ferry as an armorer before Tenn left the Union 24 June 1861.) John Overton's name is generally used to designate these unmarked rifles because he produced the greatest number (81). The bbl was made at Harpers Ferry and bears VP and eagle head proof marks as well as the inspectors marks "WW/P". The rifling is standard .54 Cal., 7 groove. The breech plug is uniquely Overton. The bottom of the bbl is marked with the Harpers Ferry Mark "T 75" and the Overton number "III" and the assembly mark "XIX". The rear sight is Overton. The finish is bright. The stock and all brass parts are Overton manufacture and resemble M1841 parts. However, careful examination shows these items to be also of uniquely Overton construction. The stock channel bears the marks "3 XIX", while inside the patchbox is the assembly marking "XXI". As noted on pg 556, the channel has been cut for a small ramrod spring, however, the spoon was never installed. The Overton trigger and the trigger guard are uniquely pinned to the brass base baseplate. The lock was made by Robbins Kendall & Lawrence 1847 and bears the Overton assembly mark "XXI". The number "3" in the stock channel and the "III" on the bottom of the bbl may indicate rifle number "3", see pg 556, Murphy & Madaus. It is likely that earlier rifles such as this example would have incorporated existing Federal parts on hand. The ramrod resembles the M1841 and is of Confederate manufacture, possibly of John Overton. Gun is accompanied by a copy of Dr. Fred Novy's orig notes and comments. PROVENANCE: Dr. Frederick Novy Collection. CONDITION: Very good overall. Iron overall cleaned to a bright grey with staining and pitting. Brass also cleaned to a medium mustard patina. Patchbox hinge is worn through on bottom two portions of spring with iron protruding but still quite functional. The hinge is definitely different from the U.S. Model 1841, and maybe just poorly constructed by Overton. Stock is sound, solid with good color, sharp edges. Mechanics are crisp with a crisp, well defined rifled bore. 53148-1 JS (6,000-8,000)