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RICHMOND Marked CIVIL WAR Percussion Hand Mortar
Guns International #: 100869370 Seller's Inventory #: 10390
Category: Civil War Rifles - Antique Rifles - Single Shot
Seller's Information
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Seller: AncestryGunsLLC
Company: Ancestry Guns LLC
Member Since: 11/3/16
State: Missouri
Zip: 65203
Country: United States
Phone: (314) 707-7373
International Phone: 314-707-7373
Platinum Seller
Number of Active Listings: 1587
Total Number of Listings: 30463
Seller: FFL Dealer
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: Credit Card, Certified Check, Money Order
Description:
RICHMOND Marked CIVIL WAR Percussion Hand Mortar
Built by the Confederacy for the American Civil War
Here we present an antique Hand Mortar, made circa 1861 at the Virginia Manufactory in Richmond, Virginia. This is a fascinating and truly unique piece of weaponry. Its lock comes from the flintlock era, dating “1820”, which was the year before the Manufactory closed its manufacturing capabilities until retooling for the American Civil War in 1861. The lock is also marked “RICHMOND” and “VIRGINIA [Manufactory]”. It once belonged to a “2nd Model Flintlock Musket” which the Manufactory produced from 1812-1821. According to Giles Cromwell in his article “The Alteration of Virginia Manufactory Weapons 1813-1863”, “Virginia was the first state after the Revolutionary War to successfully accomplish the complete manufacture of weapons for its militia”. On January 23, 1798, the Virginia General Assembly approved the Virginia Manufactory to supply its state militias, which served vital roles in local, state and even federal matters. According to Cromwell, the state neglected to update their armament from flintlock to percussion until the beginning of the Civil War. There were many contributing factors. However, the state was forced to issue flintlocks upon the start of hostilities, and began making conversions to those weapons posthaste. Though surviving specimens are quite rare today due to the attrition of the War, it is likely that.
This specimen employs a cone type of percussion conversion on the upper right side of the barrel. Cromwell states that he “tentatively attribute(s) John B. Barrett and Company in Wytheville, Virginia, as the firm who performed the second type of state contract alteration”. The barrel itself has an iron interior that is 3/16 inches thick, which is wrapped in 1/8 inch of brass. This firearm is very heavy, of course. Picking it up, one can imagine that this would have been capable of launching quite a large and heavy projectile. Though we typically associate the Civil War with muskets, revolvers and early carbines, weapons like mortars, cannon, even grenades and rockets were also utilized.
The overall condition of this piece is near fine. The brass components have turned quite dark with age. The interior of the iron barrel has a dark, even patina. The markings on the lock are intelligible, with “RICHMOND/1820” being quite clear, and “VIRGINIA/Manufactory” being a bit worn. The walnut stock shows use, but is solid. The bore is smooth and clean. The action is functional.
Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction. Nothing else like it found for sale worldwide!
Barrel is 23 inches in length.
Caliber: 1 inch
The bore is in very nice condition, smooth with an even, dark patina. The action is functional.
Overall condition as seen in photos.
Here is a fascinating piece of Southern weaponry!
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ancestryguns
$4500
#10390
SOLD
Antique: Yes