Middle Tennessee Relics

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Firearms

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  1. It is generally a rarity to get a Confederate weapon with ONE qualified "Letter of Authenticity".  With this Richmond carbine, you not only get one Letter of Authenticity from a qualified dealer, but with this weapon, you get three.  The weapon has been thoroughly inspected by myself at Middle Tennessee Relics, and by Nick Pierut at Army of Tennessee Relics, and Rafael Eledge at Shiloh Relics.  You simply couldn't ask for better than that.  This weapon is a "Richmond Carbine" from the famous Confederate Armory in Richmond, Virginia.  This is the short version of the rifle, and because of that, is generally referred to by collectors as the "Richmond Carbine".  Many Richmond firearms, especially early war examples, are partly Confederate production and partly leftover parts from Federal production.  This example is 1864 production and was Confederate produced from tip to tip.  The metal has an overall, aged, brown patina, and the brass butt plate has a beautiful, aged, honey-colored patina.  Even the ramrod is original Richmond production and has the threads intact.  The lockplate has a crystal clear, 1864 production date to go along with the deep, clear, "CS" stamp and Richmond stamp of production location.  The action works well on all positions.  If you have ben wanting a true, real deal, untampered with, Confederate produced weapon, here it is.  And as previously stated, comes with three Letters of Authenticity, each from a long-time dealer in the field.  The three of us together have over 100 years experience.--$7,850.

  2. .50 cal., Civil War issue, Smith saddle ring carbine.  The carbine has a smooth, uncleaned, dark aged brown patina.  This carbine has nice, clear markings and is serial number 15156 which is 1863 production.  There is a Smith carbine with a close serial number that was issued to the 11th Illinois Volunteer Cavalry.  The walnut stock has numerous small dings and marks from actual field service and has some initials carved in as well.  It has a good, strong main spring and a nice, crisp bore.  The long-range site remains intact as well as the small brass button for unhinging the barrel.  This would be an ideal carbine for the collector who likes weapons that clearly show honest Civil War service.--$1,295.

  3. Just brought in out of the local area, very nice condition, 1863 date, .577 cal., Enfield/Towers 3-band rifled musket.  This musket has excellent action, a crisp bore, with both sling swivels intact as well as original long range site and original ramrod.  This is about as nice an Enfield as you are going to see.--SOLD*

  4. Very pretty condition Civil War era Belgian 7mm Pinfire 6 shot revolver in original, CONFEDERATE manufactured leather holster.  Small Pinfire revolvers were very popular as a last resort weapon among Confederate officers.  It is difficult to find one of these that is all complete and functions properly and is in the original Confederate holster.  This is a beauty with folding trigger - ejector rod - and cartridge door all remaining intact, and everything works perfectly.  The revolver has ornate gutta percha grips that are without a single chip.  This is a museum quality example.--$1,295. complete in original Confederate holster.

  5. Very attractive, .31 cal., six-shot, Allen patent pepperbox revolver.  This revolver has a smooth, aged, brown patina overall and is marked, “Allen’s Patent – 1837 – Cast Steel”.  The revolver has original walnut grips and is completely uncleaned.  The main spring is unfortunately broken but would be reasonably easy to replace.  It displays very nicely.--$495.

  6. Fresh out of a deep south, north Florida estate, .32 cal. Whitney pocket model revolver.  This revolver is serial number 16233 which is 1861 - 1862 production.  The revolver remains clean and still has crisp action.  It has a presentation on the back strap that reads, "J. J. B. to C.L."  We unfortunately do not know who J. J. B. or C. L. are.  This is a very nice little Civil War percussion revolver and has a nice, clear "E. Whitney - N. Haven" mark.  It is very likely -even probable - that this revolver may have seen CS service.--$1,295.SOLD

  7. Nice complete condition, excavated, musket combination gun tool.  This gun tool was recovered about 40 years ago on private property here at Stones River by my old hunting friend, Claiborne Lytle.--$45.

  8. Excavated, three prong, Austrian musket gun tool.  This gun tool was recovered about 40 years ago from the Confederate line on private property here at Stones River.  It remains in nice enough condition that you could still use it today.--$55.

  9. Quite rare to come by, nice condition, original leather holster for a .44 cal. Colt Army revolver.  This holster does have some small age cracks but is far and away nicer than most you encounter.  The belt loop remains intact on the reverse as well as the closure tab and leather plug at the end of the holster.  It likely could not withstand being opened and closed too many times but will display very nicely as it is with Colt Army revolver.--$750.

  10. Quite rare to recover, cast iron, Model 1855, Maynard tape primer door.  This was recovered from a Confederate camp located near Shelbyville, Tennessee.  We have it in a display case along with a .58 cal. musket ball.--$45.

  11. Very nice condition .54 cal. Starr percussion Civil War carbine.  This example has clean metal and crisp, sharp marks.  The carbine is serial number "1801".  It is marked "Starr Arms - Yonkers, NY - 1858".  The Starr carbine was carried by the 1st Ark. Cav. (Union) - 5th Kansas Cav. - 11th Missouri - 24th New York Cav. - and others.  This example has very nice action, and deep, sharp rifling, and would be a very nice addition to any Civil War collection.--$1,895.

  12. Just in out of the local Middle Tennessee area, Model 1851, .36 cal., Colt Navy Model revolver.  This revolver has an all matching serial number of 138058 except for the wedge which has a differing earlier number.  Wedges were often lost and needed to be replaced.  138058 is spring of 1863 production.  This revolver came out of a local estate and is believed to have been carried by Captain W. P. Cherry, 44th Tennessee Volunteer Infantry.  Very faintly "44 TN" can be seen cut with a pen knife into the brass backstrap at the butt.  The revolver has a never cleaned, deep chocolate patina, good rifling, original grips, and still functions properly.  The .36 caliber, Model 1851, Colt Navy Model revolver was General N. B. Forrest's personal favorite weapon and is what he carried.  In General Forrest's last Will and Testament, he left his "trusty Colt Navy revolver" to his son and said, "This revolver has gotten me out of many a tight spot, and if ever you are in need of defense, I hope you will not hesitate to use it."  This revolver is an excellent piece of Southern Civil War history.--$2,250.SOLD*

  13. Very pretty condition, .36 cal., Colt 1851 Navy Model revolver.  This revolver has a smooth, attic gray/brown patina and was brought in out of our local area.  It has an all-matching serial number of 118933, and even still has a matching numbered wedge and loading lever.  The action still works nicely and locks firmly into both half-cock and full-cock.  This is early very desirable 1862 production and was almost certainly Confederate carried.  The barrel retains deep markings of, "Address Col. Sam'l Colt - New York - US America".  We are going to include a small display with an original percussion cap and projectile from here at Stones River.--$1,950.

  14. Very rare to find, Model 1849, Colt .318 cal., long barrel (6 inch), pocket model revolver.  This revolver comes out of a local estate and remains in its original, Confederate manufacture, leather holster.  The revolver has a smooth, aging, gray/brown patina and is serial number 212565 which is most desirable 1861 production.  The serial number is all-matching except for the cylinder which is an earlier number.  This was caused by Confederate Cavalry carrying several loaded cylinders so that they could quickly change cylinders and have six more shots.  As the revolver came down through the ages, the cylinder that came down with the revolver is a different, earlier number.  The family where this revolver came from had numerous members serving in the 8th and 13th Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry - CSA.  The Confederate made holster remains in beautiful condition and has a "buggy tack" type closure finial.  The brass butt of the gun has what appears to be two kill knotches.  This is an excellent example of a Southern Cavalry weapon and holster.--$1,950.for both Colt and holster.SOLD

  15. Relic condition, .36 cal., Remington Model 1861, Old Model Navy Revolver.  This revolver was no doubt Confederate carried as it was found in a barn near Tuscaloosa, Alabama, in December 1981.  This revolver is serial number 12154 which appears to be about 1862 production.  Only traces of the barrel markings remain.  The revolver is missing its loading lever but does remain in a restorable condition.  We are pricing it at a price that makes restoration reasonable.--SOLD

  16. Very nice condition, .52 cal. rim fire, Joslyn Model 1864, single-shot cartridge carbine.  This carbine is serial number 5536 and has crisp action with some traces of original color.  The Joslyn carbine were used by the 4th and 8th Indiana Cavalry, 19th New York Cavalry, 13th Tennessee Cavalry, 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry, 3rd West Virginia Cavalry, 2nd Wisconsin, 1st Nebraska Cavalry, and 11th Ohio Cavalry.  This is a nice quality carbine that could literally still be fired today.--$1,650.SOLD

  17. Beautiful condition, 1862 date, .577 cal., Confederate used, 3-band, Enfield rifled musket.  This musket is out of a local estate and has excellent wood, smooth, clean, gently toning metal with lockplate markings of, "1862 - Tower, - the English Crown".  It has crisp action and locks firmly into both half-cock and full-cock.  The musket has both sling swivels intact, original ram rod, original long-range site, import cartouche on the stock, and "25 - 25" mark on the barrel.  In addition, the musket still has a bore that will about cut your finger.  You will wait a long time before you'll see a nicer Enfield than this one and with a nice early date.--$2,150.SOLD

  18. Very pretty condition, .50 cal., percussion, breach loader, single-shot, Smith carbine.  This carbine remains in very nice condition with crisp rifling and a little bluing remaining in recessed areas.  The stock remains in nice condition with an easily visible Federal inspector cartouche.  This carbine would be a very nice addition to any Civil War collection.--$1,650.

  19. Very nice condition, .54 cal., percussion breach loader, Burnside carbine.  This carbine has an all-matching serial number of 31472.  The metal has a smooth, chocolate brown patina with traces of finish in the recessed areas.  The lockplate is marked, “Burnside Rifle Co. – Providence RI”, and the breach block is marked, “Burnside Patent – March 25, 1856”.  The carbine has a good bore and crisp action, and the sling swivel and sliding ring both remain intact.  The soldier’s initials, “E. D.” are carved into the right hand of the shoulder stock.  This carbine remains in very nice condition but does show clear evidence of actual campaign use.  It is nice enough to be in any museum.--$1,650.SOLD

  20. Quite RARE Model 1819 .54 cal Flintlock single shot horse pistol originally manufactured by Simon North of Middletown, Conn. and dated "1822".  At the beginning of the Civil War Baker of Fayetteville, N.C. converted a good number of these to percussion using a distinctive "S" shaped Fowling hammer and a "drum bolster" and issued these to early war Confederate troops.  This is a classic Confederate modified and issued weapon.  It is missing the pivoting ramrod which is quite common.  I have personally encountered several with hand made wooden ramrods.  Here is a very nice and reasonably priced weapon with a well documented Southern origin.--$1,250.

  21. Very attractive Civil War era .9 mm Belgian made 6 - shot pinfire revolver.  This revolver is out of a local family that had several members that served in the Confederate Cavalry.  Even CS General "Stonewall Jackson" had a Pinfire Revolver much like this one.  The revolver's action still functions nicely, and the lanyard ring, and the ejector rod still remain intact.  The cartridge loading door is not present and appears to have been gone a very long time.  We are including an original pinfire cartridge to display with the revolver, but it is the next size up to eliminate the possibility of a child chambering the cartridge.--$650.

  22. This is the weapon considered by many collectors as being the classic most representative weapon of the American Civil War.  It is the Model 1861, .58 cal., Springfield 3-band rifled musket.  This musket came out of a local Middle Tennessee estate and could have equally as easily been Confederate or Union carried.  The metal has a smooth, dark, attic brown patina with lockplate markings of, "1862 - Springfield - US".  The walnut stock is complete with a faint inspector cartouche still visible.  This musket has definitely "seen the elephant" and has rounded corners on the stock from being carried many miles and seeing many campaigns.  If you'd like to have a Civil War musket that almost certainly saw battle action, this one is for you.--$1,650.SOLD

  23. Excellent condition, original, Springfield or contract musket combination nipple wrench and screwdriver gun tool.  This gun tool has 90% original bluing and clear inspector initials still visible.  This would be an excellent compliment to display with your Civil War musket.--$65.

  24. Really nice little display.  In this display is a TINY pinfire revolver replica that just came in in a United Confederate Veteran collection.  I suspect the little pinfire revolver was a novelty given out at one of the reunions much like tiny canteens that I have seen.  The detail is absolutely unbelievable even with wooden grips.  We have included in the display with the little pinfire revolver an original, 12mm pinfire cartridge that we recovered in a Confederate Cavalry camp here.  The tiny little pinfire revolver has detail that is truly amazing.--$95.

  25. Very attractive, .69 cal., smooth bore, Springfield 3-band musket.  This musket was originally produced in flintlock, but at the time of the Civil War, was converted to percussion.  This musket was just brought in out of the local Middle Tennessee area and was no doubt Confederate carried.  The metal has a smooth, chocolate brown, aged patina with lockplate markings of, "US - Springfield - 1841".  The action still works perfectly and locks into both half-cock and full-cock.  The walnut stock remains in nice condition, but as expected, has numerous dings and marks from extensive service.  This musket is a perfect representation of what most Army of Tennessee Infantry soldiers carried the first year of the Civil War.  By 1862 and 1863, the Confederacy was importing lots of Enfield muskets from England as well as long arms from France, Belgium, Germany, and other countries.  This would be an excellent addition to any Civil War display especially depicting the early war Confederacy.--$1,250.SOLD

  26. Nice condition, non-excavated, Model 1842, .69 cal., Springfield complete lockplate and hammer assembly.  The hammer locks firmly into both half-cock and full-cock positions, and the main spring is as strong as when it was issued in 1850.  The lockplate is marked, "Springfield - 1850 - US - and the American Eagle."  If you have a Model 1842 Springfield musket that needs a nice lockplate, here is your chance.--$225.

  27. Excellent condition, hand-me-down, 7 inch, scissor type pistol ball mold.  The mold still works perfectly, and we have glued a correct size pistol ball into the mold for display.  The molds for the most part pre-dated the Civil War and are more often found around Confederate sites.--$65.

  28. Excavated, folding, small (approximately 4 inch) scissor type, .32 cal., iron pistol ball bullet mold.  This mold was recovered from the spring of 1863 winter camp of the 51st Alabama Cavalry (located near Fosterville, Tennessee).  The mold remains in such nice condition that it will still open and close.  We have put a correct, excavated pistol ball in the mold for display.--$48.

  29. Massive, cast brass, partially completed bullet mold for a .45 cal., Confederate "picket bullet".  This mold was recovered from the camp of the 8th Texas Cavalry and has enough brass for at least two Confederate belt buckles.  The mold was never completed, and the hinge hole to attach the other half was never drilled.  Interestingly, the cavity forming the bullet is complete, and you can see the profile of the bullet.  This is a huge piece of brass and a very unusual recovery.--$175.

  30. Beautiful condition 9-mm French Pinfire revolver.  The revolver still has pretty case colors and the ejector rod intact - the loading door intact - folding trigger intact - and I am including two original cartridges to display with the revolver.  The South purchased many of these, and we recover the pinfire cartridges from almost every 1863 Confederate camp here.--$695.SOLD

  31. Excavated, Enfield nipple protector with brass chain.  This was recovered about 40 years ago on private property along the Confederate line and among the limestone outcroppings.--$45.

  32. Very attractive, Model 1860, .44 cal., Colt Army Model percussion revolver.  This revolver has a smooth, gray/brown patina with an all-matching serial number of 135727 (including the wedge).  This is mid-war 1863 production.  It has crisp action and a good bore remaining.  Just a good, solid, uncleaned, mid-war Colt Model 1860 Army.  Included with this revolver is the $300 Colt Factory letter!!!--$1,850.SOLD

  33. Just in out of a central Ohio estate, very nice condition, .58 cal., Model 1863, type II Springfield 3-band percussion rifled musket.  This musket shows just honest use, and remains clean overall with lockplate markings of "U.S. - Springfield - 1864".  The action remains crisp and sharp locking firmly into both half cock, and full cock positions.  Both sling swivels - long range site - and ramrod all remain intact.  It has nice deep rifling, and both military inspector cartouches remain easily visible in the stock opposite the lockplate.  The .58 cal. Springfield musket is considered by many to be the classic musket of the American Civil War.  Every Civil War collection needs one of these.--$1,950.

  34. Just in out of a local estate, very nice condition, Model 1851, .36 cal., Colt 6-shot Navy Model revolver.  This revolver has a smooth, gently aging, gray patina with barrel markings of, "Address Col Saml Colt - New York - US America".  The cylinder retains about 50% original engraving, and the revolver has an all-matching serial number (even the wedge) of 130947, which is most desirable 1862 - 1863 mid-war production.  The revolver has crisp, perfect action - original walnut grips - and would be a fine addition to any Civil War collection.--$2,450.

  35. Very nice condition, Model 1863, type II, .58 cal., Springfield, 3-band, percussion, rifled musket.  This musket is out of a Pittsburgh, PA, estate and has been nicely taken care of and remains just as it was 150 years ago.  The lockplate is marked, "1864 - Springfield - US" and both the lockplate and bolster have a sharp Federal Eagle.  The metal is just beginning to turn a gray/brown with practically no pitting at all.  The musket has both sling swivels, original ram rod, and the original long-range site.  The musket locks firmly into both half-cock and full-cock and has deep, crisp rifling from to to bottom.  I have no doubt that this musket would still be quite accurate at 200 - 300 yards.  Many students of history consider the .58 cal. Springfield musket the most representative musket of the American Civil War.  We are including with the musket a small display with an original Minie ball and a percussion cap.  This musket is nice enough for any museum and would be a weapon that you could hand down to future generations with pride.--$1,950.SOLD

  36. Beautiful condition, 1850 era, single shot, .44 cal., "Underhammer" percussion pistol.  The pistol has a rich, never cleaned, aged patina, original walnut grip, and silver trigger plate.  Part of the reason that these weapons are quite rare to come by is that it was easy to hang the "underhammer" on your belt or pants and accidently shoot yourself in the leg or worse.  This was not found to be a satisfactory design, and not a whole lot were produced.  This would be a quality addition to any Civil War Era weapons collection.--$1,250.SOLD

  37. Very nice condition, 1837 date, .32 cal., 6-shot pepperbox revolver.  This weapon is crisply marked, "Allen & Thurber - Worcester - 1837".  The action still works perfectly with deep, beautiful engraving, and perfect condition original walnut grips are intact.--$750.SOLD

  38. Very attractive, .54 cal., Model 1842, percussion, single-shot "Horse Pistol".  This pistol was brought into the North Georgia Dalton Civil War Relics Show by some local folks whose Confederate ancestor carried it in the Civil War.  The pistol has a smooth, gray/brown, aged patina with lockplate markings of, "H. Aston - US - 1846 - Middtn Conn".  It has a strong main spring, and the action works perfectly.  The original walnut stock has two clearly visible military inspector cartouches.  There is an old age crack across the walnut stock just above the butt of the gun.  This would be a very easy repair, and the knurled very top portion of the hammer is broken off but is also a repair that any gunsmith could make.  This is otherwise a very nice example with the original pivoting ramrod completely intact.--$795.

  39. Extremely rare, .54 cal., Starr carbine with breach markings of "1ARK/K" (1st Arkansas, Troop K).  This carbine is serial number 14509.  These Starr carbines were issued to Arkansas Federal Cavalry units, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, & 4th Cavalry.  This carbine has the initials "F.M.H." carved into the stock.  There is only one single Arkansas soldier with those initials in the 1st Arkansas Troop K.  His name was Frances Marion Holt.  He mustered both in and out as a private mustering in on July 20, 1862, and mustering out on August 20, 1865.  This particular carbine is crisply marked and in very nice overall condition, but does have a slight bulge in the barrel a couple of inches from the end of the barrel resulting from being fired with mud in the end of the barrel.  This is an extremely rare Arkansas artifact, because there were only a few thousand issued to begin with.  This artifact is out of the nationally known Charlie Harris collection.  Charlie is a well known Civil War authority and author.--$3,250.

  40. Very nice condition 1960s REPRODUCTION massive Colt Dragoon revolver.  It is one of the well made Italian reproductions, and appears to literally have never been fired.  Perfect for living history or display in the den.--$425.SOLD*

  41. Quite difficult to come by, this is an original, .44 cal., Colt Army revolver grip.  This grip shows clear evidence of use.  If you have an original .44 Colt Army with a broken grip, here is your rare chance to get a good, complete grip on your revolver.--$195.

  42. Extremely rare, Model 1763, French Charleville, originally produced in flintlock and converted to percussion for Confederate service by M. A. Baker of Fayetteville, North Carolina.  This musket came out of a central North Carolina estate many years ago.  It has the distinctive "Baker" S-shaped sporting rifle hammer and a drum style bolster replacing the flintlock mechanism.  M. A. Baker of Fayetteville, North Carolina, is well known for converting obsolete weapons from flintlock to percussion for Confederate service.  The musket retains very nice, original wood but does show nice honest wear.  The lockplate remains exactly as it came from M. A. Baker.  The mechanism of the musket still works but does appear to have a broken main spring.  This is an excellent example of the extreme measures the Confederacy was forced to use in the first year of the Civil War.  By late 1862, the Confederacy was able to obtain much higher quality Enfield/Towers, .577 cal., rifled muskets from England which competed very well with the .58 cal. Springfield muskets the Union Army was equipped with.  This is an opportunity to add a bonafide, Confederate long-arm weapon to your collection for the price of an average condition Springfield.--$1,650.SOLD

  43. Complete, excavated, brass carbine patch box.  This appears to be from a Merrill carbine and was recovered from Camp Stanley here at Murfreesboro.  Believe it or not, the patch box will still open and close.--$65.SOLD*

  44. Very pretty, Model 1841, .54 cal., Mississippi rifle.  This rifle is out of a north Florida estate and was almost surely Confederate captured and carried.  The musket has lockplate markings of, "E. Whitney - US - 1843 - New Haven".  The metal has a smooth, gray/brown, attic patina, and the musket still locks firmly into both half-cock and full-cock.  The walnut stock remains in nice condition with numerous small dings and marks from being carried and a nice clear, OHIO State stamp in the left hand side of the stock.  The rifled musket remains in original .54 cal. and has the small block rear site typical of Confederate carried Mississippis.  With this Mississippi rifle comes a very nice condition, "1861" dated Mississippi rifle saber bayonet.  We are going to price this musket both with the bayonet and without the bayonet.--$2,250 complete with saber bayonet --SOLD

  45. Fresh in out of a local Confederate estate, this is a Model 1855, .58 cal., Maynard primed, percussion "pistol - carbine" made only between 1855 and 1857 by the Springfield Armory with a total production of only 4,021.  Almost every one of these that I have encountered over the years have had Confederate association.  This example shows good wear, but remains in very decent displayable condition.  When the pistol was brought into the shop, it was missing the front barrel band, and I was able to locate one that fits reasonably well.  With the massive pistol carbine, we are including an excavated Maynard door from this exact type pistol.  I recovered that door many years ago from the camp of the 8th Texas Cavalry located near Unionville, Tennessee.  This is a weapon that most museums do not even have an example of.--$1,650.

  46. Super, super rare and in beautiful condition, Model 1849, long barrel, Colt Pocket revolver with all matching serial numbers of 211975.  This revolver is inscribed to and was carried by Confederate General Thomas Benton Smith and what a story General T. B. Smith has to tell.  General Thomas Benton Smith was born near Mechanicsville, Tennessee, and grew up on a farm near Triune, Tennessee.  General Smith was widely known in the area as being incredibly, intellectually gifted.  By age 15, General Smith had been given a patent on a locomotive "cow-catcher" and appeared to be headed toward a lucrative career in railroading.  When the Civil War came, young Thomas Benton Smith was enrolled in the prestigious Nashville Military College in Nashville, Tennessee.  Upon the outbreak of the Civil War, Thomas Benton Smith would raise the unit that eventually became known as Co. B of the 20th Tennessee Infantry under the command of Col. Joel A. Battle.  At Shiloh, the regiment suffered over 50% casualties including the capture and imprisonment of the regiment's Colonel, Joel A. Battle.  Upon reorganization, a month after the battle, his fellow soldiers elected Thomas Benton Smith as their new Colonel.  As Colonel of the 20th Tennessee, he led them at Murfreesboro where he was shot through both the breast and left arm.  Over the coming months, Col. Smith recovered, and at Chickamauga, Col Smith was again wounded.  At Missionary Ridge, the brigade commander, Col. Tyler was wounded, and Col. Thomas Benton Smith was assigned command of the entire brigade.  Through the fighting toward Atlanta, Col. Thomas Benton Smith was so impressive that, on July 29, 1864, while in front of Atlanta, he received his commission as Brigadier General CSA.  At this point, he was the youngest Brigadier General in the Army of Tennessee.  On December 16, 1864, on the apex of Shy's Hill at the Battle of Nashville, stood the tattered remnants of the 20th Tennessee Volunteer Infantry.  At approximately 4:00 pm, on December 16, 1864, the Federal Infantry overran the Confederate lines on Shy's Hill at the Battle of Nashville.  General Thomas Benton Smith had been ordered by Confederate General William B. Bate to "hold the line at all hazards".  General Thomas Benton Smith and a small squad of his soldiers fought until they were totally surrounded, and at the bitter end, held a white handkerchief over his head surrendering himself and his few remaining men.  General Thomas Benton Smith was approached by Col. William Linn McMillan who appeared to be inebriated and began to curse and berate Gen. Smith.  All witnesses stated that General Smith's simple response to Col. McMillan was to state that, "I am a disarmed captured prisoner."  Col. McMillan was so enraged that, according to witnesses, he appeared temporarily insane.  The Colonel became so enraged that he drew his saber and struck General Thomas Benton Smith three times over the head, each blow cutting through Gen. Smith's hat and crashing into his skull.  Shocked by the action of their own officer, nearby Federals rushed General Smith to a field hospital where the attending surgeon examined the wound and remarked, "Well, sir, you are near the end of your battles, for I can see the brain oozing through the gap in your skull."  Much to everyone's surprise, the boy General, Thomas Benton Smith, would survive these horrific blows.  Unfortunately, in a short time following the war, General Thomas Benton Smith had to be admitted to the Tennessee State Asylum, also known as the Tennessee Central State Psychiatric Hospital.  On some days, General Smith appeared near normal while on other days he was ordering his troops forward.  Many more years passed until, on May 21, 1923, General Thomas Benton Smith was released from his earthly bondage.  His grave rests with his former comrades in the Confederate Circle of Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Nashville, Tennessee.  By all measures, Confederate General Thomas Benton Smith was a hero in every regard, and whoever becomes caretaker of his Colt revolver should treasure it and preserve and protect it.  This artifact is nothing less than an Absolute Civil War Southern Treasure.--$28,500.SOLD

  47. Very nice condition, 1st Model, Smith & Wesson 7-shot, .22 cal. revolver.  This revolver is serial number 64552 and is early Civil War production.  The "Smith & Wesson Springfield, Mass" marking on the barrel remains deep and crisp.  This little revolver has 90% silver wash intact and would be a very nice addition to any Civil War display.  They were very popular with officers in that they fired pre-manufactured, fixed ammunition.--$850.

  48. Just in out of a Chattanooga area estate, .54 cal., single-shot, percussion, 1st type Merrill carbine.  This carbine shows extensive use and has the soldier's initials, "W M", carved into the stock.  The lockplate is marked, "J. H. Merrill - Balto./Patent July 1858/Apl."  Carbines of this type were very sought after by Confederates who wanted to carry an actual carbine rather than one made by cutting down an Infantry weapon or possibly a double-barrel shotgun.  The metal has a smooth, gray/brown patina and is serial number 6876 out of approximately 14,495.  This would be a nice addition to someone's Civil War Cavalry display.--$1,150.SOLD

  49. Very attractive, percussion, 12-gauge, double barrel shotgun.  This weapon is out of a North Florida estate and is believed to have been carried by a Confederate Cavalryman.  Many years ago, I recovered a near identical shotgun from the camp of the 51st Alabama Cavalry.  These were carried by numerous Confederates during the first year of the Civil War.  It will make a fine addition to someone's Confederate display.  The shotgun remains all intact except for needing one ramrod tube which would be a very easy repair.--$450.SOLD

  50. Beautiful condition, 1st Model, .22 cal., Smith & Wesson 7-shot revolver.  This revolver has crisp action, deep sharp marks, and lots of original case color remaining.  You rarely find them this nice.--$900.SOLD

  51. Very attractive, .69 cal., smooth bore, Confederate carbine, hand blacksmith crafted from a Model 1842, 3-band, Infantry rifled musket.  The carbine has a smooth, aged, chocolate patina overall with lockplate markings of, "Springfield - 1850".  The weapon was shortened during the Civil War Era to carbine length for Cavalry use.  We are including a cased buck and ball which would have been very likely what would have been fired from this weapon.  It hasn't been cleaned at all and remains just as it has come down through the ages.--$650.SOLD

  52. Excellent condition original tin of Civil War era percussion Revolver caps.  This would be an excellent compliment displayed with your Civil War era percussion single shot pistol or revolver.  It was made by "Eley" of London.--$48.SOLD

  53. Just in, very attractive, Model 1863, Type 1, .58 cal., Springfield 3-band rifled musket complete with original, triangular, socket bayonet.  The musket has lockplate markings of, "US - 1863 - Springfield".  The action is excellent with a strong main spring and locks firmly into half-cock and full-cock.  This musket has both sling swivels, original ram rod, and original long-range site intact.  It has four marks in the wood opposite the lockplate that could very well be "kill marks".  The musket shows clear evidence of use and being carried, but yet remains in nice condition.--$1,650.SOLD

  54. Very attractive, big 12 mm, "E. Lefaucheux" pinfire revolver.  This revolver is out of a private museum in Arkansas and is very similar to the pinfire revolver carried by General "Stonewall" Jackson.  It has intact both the loading door and cartridge ejector rod which are often missing.  The lanyard ring on the butt is not present and the trigger doesn't advance the cylinder "every time".  This will be a very nice addition to any Confederate display, and it is extra nice in that it is BIG caliber and is actually "E. Lefaucheux" marked.--$895.

  55. Excellent condition, small 7 mm, Belgian Leige produced, 6-shot pinfire revolver.  This revolver has the folding trigger, cartridge ejector rod, and loading door all completely intact, and the action still works perfectly.  Confederate General Stonewall Jackson carried a pinfire revolver very much like this one except a larger caliber.  This revolver would make a nice addition to any Confederate display.--$595.

  56. About 30 years ago, it wasn't really uncommon to encounter one of these.  But, in recent times, you seldom see one offered.  This is an original 25 round, Requa - Billinghurst battery gun clip.  This clip is complete and will still hinge open and closed.  There has to be lots of Civil War artillery and small arms collections that are missing one of these.--$250.

  57. Very nice condition, quite rare, cast brass folding "scissor" type bullet mold for a .36 cal. "SUGAR LOAF" pistol projectile.  I have only recovered rare Sugar Loaf projectiles from Confederate campsites.--$175.

  58. Just purchased out of a local Southern estate.  This is a folding BRASS double cavity bullet mold for a .32 cal. round ball, and also for a .32 cal. elongated projectile.  This mold would make projectiles correct for the .32 cal. Colt Pocket Model, or would fit any of the other .32 cal. Pocket size revolvers.--$125.

  59. Original twisted brown paper packet containing original Civil War musket percussion caps.  One of these packets of percussion caps were packaged with each brown factory wrapped package of 10 Civil War Minie Ball cartridges.  EVERY Civil War collection should have an original packet of musket percussion caps.--$48.

  60. Excellent condition, blacksmith made, "scissor type" bullet mold for a single, .36 cal. pistol or musket ball.  The mold has a rich, aged patina and still works perfectly.--$85.

  61. Very rare, double cavity, cast brass bullet mold for a "Sugar Loaf" style projectile.  This mold is approximately .48 cal. and would have been likely used with a "Country Rifle".  I have only recovered a few "Sugar Loaf" type projectiles, and every one that I have found has been from an early war Confederate camp.--$150.

  62. Beautiful condition scissor type cast brass double cavity bullet mold for a .36 cal. Country Rifle.  Many young Confederates left home for the Civil War carrying the family Rifle as that was all they had.  Within the first year of the Civil War these were all pretty much replaced by more conventional military weapons.  This is out of a local estate, and is in near perfect condition.--$95.

  63. Quite rare to find, non-excavated, .44 cal., Colt "Dragoon", double cavity, folding, iron bullet mold.  We have inserted two original battlefield excavated Colt projectiles for nice display.--$195.

  64. Very nice condition, solid cast brass bullet mold for a .45 caliber "country rifle" projectile.  Country rifles were carried from home by many young Confederates when they first left home for the Civil War in 1861.  We rarely find country rifle projectiles in Confederate camps any later than 1863 because of issue of more standard weapons.  This mold still operates perfectly and would yet mold bullets today.--$195.

  65. Extremely rare to recover, excavated, single cavity bullet mold for the .50 caliber Smith carbine.  This bullet mold is out of the nationally known Civil War author, Charlie Harris's, collection.  Although excavated, it remains in very nice condition and will open and close with ease.  This would be a fine compliment to display with your Smith carbine or to add to your Civil War excavated artifact collection.--$395.

  66. Extremely rare, scissor type, Confederate used, .65 cal., Hanoverian bullet mold.  This rare mold remains in perfect condition and is out of the personal collection of Civil War author, Charlie Harris.  It will be a fine addition to any Civil War collection.--$395.

  67. Super rare and in drop-dead beautiful condition, original folding scissor type, cast brass bullet mold for the Confederate used, .69 cal., "Tower" bullet.  Early in the Civil War, the South traded cotton to England for .69 caliber Tower muskets in an attempt to arm Southern Infantry troops.  The massive, .69 cal., Towers bullets are recovered in early war Civil War sites such as Ft. Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, and Stones River, but by mid-1863, most of the .69 cal. muskets had been replaced by the .577 cal., 3-band, Enfield rifled muskets.  This example is the rarer, cone cavity variety and is out of Civil War author, Charlie Harris's, personal collection.  In almost 50 years, this is the most perfect condition, .69 cal., Towers bullet mold that I have seen.--$950.SOLD

  68. Fresh out of a Central Illinois estate, Model 1873, 45 - 70 caliber, "trap door", Springfield rifle.  This rifle has a smooth, attic brown patina tip to tip and remains just as it has been for many, many years.  With the rifle, comes an original, triangular, socket bayonet complete with a partial leather scabbard.  This old trap door rifle remains absolutely untouched with tiny specks of paint where the rooms in which it was stored have been painted several times over the years.  This is an historic, old, untouched, Model 1873, Springfield trap door.--$850.SOLD*

  69. This is a bullet mold that you seldom see offered for sale.  It is a "COLT" marked .28 cal. double cavity for the Colt "Root" revolver.  If you have a nice Colt Root - here is your chance to add a correct bullet mold to your display.  You won't see this one very often.--$350.

  70. Single cavity iron bullet mold for a .36 cal. country rifle elongated "picket style bullet" of the exact type carried by many young Confederates as they first left their homes in the South for the Civil War.  The mold would have originally had two wooden handles which are not present, but could be easily replaced.--only $79.

  71. Very nice condition, original, non-excavated, 1864 date, Springfield musket lockplate and hammer assembly.  This lockplate retains beautiful crisp marks, and excellent action locking firmly into both half-cock and full-cock positions.  If you have an 1863 or 1864 Springfield musket that would be improved by a very nice lockplate and hammer assembly, here is your opportunity to get one.--$195.

  72. Quite rare to find, complete mid-1800's DOUBLE leather shot flask.  This shot flask has two completely separate compartments with two brass measuring devices so that you could have your choice of two different size lead shot depending on what you were hunting.  It remains completely intact with original brass buckle, and both measuring devices still have good springs and work perfectly.--$115.

  73. Nice condition, cast brass, folding, double cavity bullet mold for a .45 cal. picket country rifle.  These are bullets that we only recover from Confederate sites.  This mold remains in nice enough condition to mold bullets today.--$95.SOLD

  74. Perfect condition, non-excavated, musket tumbler punch.  It has lots of original bluing remaining and will make an excellent compliment to your Civil War musket display.--$65.

  75. Beautiful condition, non-excavated pair of .69 cal. bullet worms.  One of the worms is a long pattern, and the other a short pattern.  This display will make a wonderful compliment to display with your .69 cal. percussion muskets.--$95 for both worms.

  76. Attractive, framed display containing several original Frankford Arsenal musket percussion caps.  Nicely displayed and ready to hang.--$35.

  77. Excellent condition, original Civil War Cavalry carbine bore brush.  The leather thong is complete with no breaks or weak spots, and the bore hair brush has all bristles 100% intact.  This would be an excellent compliment to display with your Civil War Cavalry carbine.--$89.

  78. Group of 7 assorted musket parts that are either non-excavated or are early pick-ups or recoveries, and still remain in nice enough condition to use on a musket today.  There are {2} .58 cal. Springfield or contract musket breechplugs - one brass Mississippi trigger guard - {1} .58 cal. Springfield trigger guard - one cast brass Enfield nose cap {1} one .69 cal. Model 1816 musket buttplate and {1} cast brass trigger guard to an unknown musket.  A real bargain !!--$195. for all
   

Larry Hicklen
Shop:  (615) 893-3470
Email: larryhicklen@comcast.net