Confederate Handguns

[Missouri_8th_Infantry]

I'm looking to purchase an a original Confederate handgun this time next year, so plenty of time to research. What book(s) do folks recommend on the subject?

 

[scooter748driver]

I ran across this the other day. I can't speak to the book itself but it looks like it covers what you're researching

GunBroker.com - Error

 

[Missouri_8th_Infantry]

I ran across this the other day. I can't speak to the book itself but it looks like it covers what you're researching

GunBroker.com - Error

Thanks, I just bought a copy from Amazon so I wouldn't have to send a money order.

I also bought this one, which is a little more pricey:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0961811005/?tag=civilwartalkc-20

Any other books I should be considering? Any online articles I should be considering?

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

There is a solid on-line article, an oldie but a goodie, "Confederate Arms are Not Rare." If the following link is too long, just google that phrase, and you'll get the link to the PDF of the article:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjetJ6HgNb2AhUNoHIEHd49CJQQFnoECAQQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Famericansocietyofarmscollectors.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F06%2F2004-B89-Confederate-Arms-are-Not-Rare.pdf&usg=AOvVaw3Rn-DORgundRK_9eAfkL0W

Now, the article deals with longarms only, as I recall, but the point is well taken that for every arm MADE in a confederate state, there are hundreds of arms made elsewhere by used by the confederacy. Many were captured or collected from Union troops or battlefields, and many were purchased by the confederacy overseas.

Myself, I've always been a Kerr revolver fan.

 

[C. Cash]

Based on alot of photos of Western Theatre Cavalry, the Whitney Navy was a very popular handgun. Hope to luck on to one someday.

 

[Missouri_8th_Infantry]

There is a solid on-line article, an oldie but a goodie, "Confederate Arms are Not Rare." If the following link is too long, just google that phrase, and you'll get the link to the PDF of the article:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjetJ6HgNb2AhUNoHIEHd49CJQQFnoECAQQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Famericansocietyofarmscollectors.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F06%2F2004-B89-Confederate-Arms-are-Not-Rare.pdf&usg=AOvVaw3Rn-DORgundRK_9eAfkL0W

Now, the article deals with longarms only, as I recall, but the point is well taken that for every arm MADE in a confederate state, there are hundreds of arms made elsewhere by used by the confederacy. Many were captured or collected from Union troops or battlefields, and many were purchased by the confederacy overseas.

Myself, I've always been a Kerr revolver fan.

Thanks Jeff, I have also found this article that looks very useful:

https://americansocietyofarmscollec...-Identification-And-Authentication-Of-Con.pdf

 

[Tanglewood]

"Confederate Revolvers" by William Gary.

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

There is an amazing amount of difference in cost when you compare a handgun MANUFACTURED by the Confederacy compared to a handgun USED by the Confederacy. I

 

[Missouri_8th_Infantry]

"Confederate Revolvers" by William Gary.

Yep, that one I purchased this past weekend and linked above. Pricey but looks like a keeper based on the comments on Amazon.

 

[Missouri_8th_Infantry]

There is an amazing amount of difference in cost when you compare a handgun MANUFACTURED by the Confederacy compared to a handgun USED by the Confederacy. I

Thus the one year gap between reading and buying

 

[Tanglewood]

Yep, that one I purchased this past weekend and linked above. Pricey but looks like a keeper based on the comments on Amazon.

Sorry, I missed that link you posted. The Gary book is much newer and detailed than the Albaugh books, which were great in their time. You will recoup the cost of the book by having that detailed knowledge before you purchase one pricey gun. Fred Edmunds was a true expert Confederate revolver collector and authenticator. Years ago while looking over a gun for me, he told me that he did a LOT of work on William Gary's book. So, that book was collaboration of experts. And you are already doing it right. As Lanyard Puller's byline says, "Your first purchase should be reference books." In the realm of Confederate pistols, truer words were never spoken.

Best of luck to you in your search.

 

[JOHN42768]

Sorry, I missed that link you posted. The Gary book is much newer and detailed than the Albaugh books, which were great in their time. You will recoup the cost of the book by having that detailed knowledge before you purchase one pricey gun. Fred Edmunds was a true expert Confederate revolver collector and authenticator. Years ago while looking over a gun for me, he told me that he did a LOT of work on William Gary's book. So, that book was collaboration of experts. And you are already doing it right. As Lanyard Puller's byline says, "Your first purchase should be reference books." In the realm of Confederate pistols, truer words were never spoken.

Best of luck to you in your search.

Welcome, enjoy

 

[CW Appraiser]

I'm looking to purchase an a original Confederate handgun this time next year, so plenty of time to research. What book(s) do folks recommend on the subject?

several good books out there. Bill Gary's Confederate Revolvers is most recent 1985 and well researched. I have written a few articles updating some new information. The new Military Antique Collector Magazine (published by Historical Publications) is featuring my series of CS revolver articles, first 3 are out. I appreciate input to my articles and will attach the Griswold article in vol.1, #1 here which was just published in January. There is good bibliography with each article listing all pertinent literature.

 

[SeaTurtle]

Are there any books that go into the caplock pistols (not revolvers) used by the Confederacy? I've read there were at least one or two southern armouries that manufactured such guns, such as this example from South Carolina:

Model 1842 Pistol

Physical Description:This .54 caliber smoothbore, percussion lock pistol was made by the Palmetto Armory of Columbia, South Carolina around 1853. This…

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