Guns International #: 102005278

Category - Antique Revolvers - Percussion - Civil War Revolvers

Category
Antique Revolvers - Percussion
Civil War Revolvers

Nice Confederate Late Model Kerr Revolver

Description:
The history of the rise of this, possibly the most ubiquitous and recognizable of all sidearms used by the Confederacy during the American Civil War, is long and involved. The Kerr revolver is an import from the London Armory Company, a British firearm manufactory. They were initially contacted by one Caleb Huse, who was able to secure a contract for almost all of the Kerrs that they could manufacture, beginning in 1861. They would go on to deliver pistols to the Confederacy for almost the entire war. In July of 1864, Julian Pratt, the commander of a Virginia cavalry company inventoried all of the pistols then used by his troopers, which became known as the Pratt Roll. On that roll were several Kerr Revolvers that were within the serial number range of 9740-9974. There is no historical documentation of any Kerrs being received between the time of the taking of the Pratt Roll and October 31, 1864, when a ship from England offloaded 900 Kerr revolvers and accessories in the Port of Wilmington, NC. Apparently, these were not purchased from London Armory by the Confederate Government, since the historical record states, "bought of E.Hope," most likely on speculation that they could be sold to the government upon arrival. Personally, I think E. Hope was the name of that speculator, but others think that E. Hope was the name of the ship that delivered the Kerrs. Not true. There was indeed a ship named SS Hope that delivered goods to Wilmington, NC, But E. Hope is most certainly an individual, perhaps the owner of SS Hope, since there is no way a ship can buy anything. On the same day of offloading at Wilmington Port, 500 "Kerr's pistol w/rings" were sent by the government to "Col. J.C Moore, Selma and 400 "Kerr's pistols with rings" were sent to "Col. L.W. Broun, Richmond," both Ordnance Officers in those locations, proof positive that they served with the Confederates in some capacity. This revolver bears serial number 10126, only 152 serial numbers higher than the highest Kerr serial number on Pratt's Roll, taken just three months previous to its arrival in Wilmington. It is a virtual certainty that this revolver served in the Civil in the waning months of the war. The right side of the revolver is marked on the lock plate with London Armory Co. and on the frame with Kerr's Patent., followed by the serial number 10126. The 5-shot cylinder is marked with serial 10126 and 5 proof marks with crown over GP and crown over V, alternating between the cylinders. There is also an assembly number of 551 on the front face of the cylinder and on the inside bottom of the trigger guard. On the left side of the frame is a strongly-struck London Armory in the shape of a football. On the left side of the barrel are the markings, reading from left to right, are L.A.C., crown over GP and crown over V. There is no JS over Anchor marking on the grip, to be expected with a late speculative purchase, since the revolvers weren't sold to the government, but rather to a civilian who hoped to get a late war sale after their safe delivery to Wilmington. Other than that, the wooden grips are excellent. The butt plate swivel ring is gone, perhaps broken off in service. The revolver functions flawlessly when indexing to the next cylinder chamber with a hammer-down trigger pull, as is common with late model Kerrs. To fire the weapon, it is necessary to manually cock the hammer. If cocked too far back, the trigger pull sticks sometimes, but always causes the hammer to fall eventually. Most likely a lubrication issue on the inner workings of the frame. The condition of the finish is flashes of blue to blue/gray. with spottage of mild corrosion. The bore exhibits good rifling with evenly distributed barrel darkening. Shipping and insurance included in the price. Cashiers Check or USPS money orders only, please. I am not set up to accept credit cards, nor do I have any of the personal payment apps that are discouraged by GB, so please don't ask. Layaway available, but no return privilege is offered if the revolver is sold on layaway. Revolver will not ship to buyer until the agreed upon price is paid in full. Down payment is not refundable, and all payments to the layaway will be forfeited, should Seller choose to cancel the layaway. Thanks for looking. 

SOURCES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY
Treatise by Valmore Forgett, (renowned expert on Kerr Revolvers,) [://americansocietyofarmscollectors/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/2008-B97-Why-Kerrs.pdf] Reprinted from the American Society of Arms Collectors Bulletin 97:5-19; (accessed 7-15-2022.)
The Payne Papers, The Eleanor S. Brockenbrough Library of the Museum of the Confederacy, Richmond, Virginia, The Papers of Captain John M. Payne of Lynchburg, Virginia, late of the Confederate States Ordnance Corps, dated 18 August 1883 and "deposited with the Confederate Nemorial Library Society." Abstracted in "Firearms from Europe, Second Edition; James Biser Whisker,Daniel D. Hartzler, and Larry W. Yantz, pp 145-151, Copyright 2002.

SOLD

Antique: Yes
Handgun Caliber: .44
Manufacturer: London Armory Co.
Model: Kerr
Serial Number: 10216
Barrel Length: 4.75
Bore: Rifled
Condition: VG
Metal Condition: GOOD TO VG
Wood Condition: VG
Bore Condition: Dark but G to VG
Manufacture Date: 1863-1864