Confederate weapon - Kerr Revolver

[scooter748driver]

As some may know, I recently decided to switch my collecting interests toward Confederate items. I know - dark and dangerous waters! Buyer beware, both of frauds and of going broke! Given the supply/demand relationship of things Confederate, I realize that short of winning the lottery my "collection" will only ever amount to a few items. But I am enjoying the research, the hunt, and pursuit of a few items.

I'm proud to present this Confederate Kerr revolver that "Santa" recently delivered.

Per Russ Pritchard and C.A. Huey's book The English Connection, "The Kerr revolver was manufactured by the London Armoury Company from 1859 through 1866. The revolver was made in 80 bore and 54 bore with minor variations, and had a total production run of about 11,500 revolvers." The 80 bore revolvers were made first and are not believed to have been acquired for the Confederacy.

The 54 bore (44 caliber) is a five-shot revolver that is 11.25 inches in length with a 5.5 inch barrel. The patent number (serial number) is engraved on the right side of the frame and also on the cylinder. Other markings include London Armoury stamped in small letters in an oval forward on the left side of the frame. London proofs and the letters LAC are found on the top of the barrel flat just in front of the frame. Most, but not all, of the grips have the JS/Anchor viewers mark just below the trigger guard. Many believe the initials "JS" is John Southgate, a contract viewer (inspector) for the London Armoury Company.

The Kerr evolved though three variations. Each variation is distinguished by differences in sighting grooves, rammer pivot screw location, grip checkering, etc.

Per the book by Shannon Pritchard, Collecting the Confederacy, "Purchasing agent Caleb Hughes purchased approximately 7000 Kerr patent revolvers from the London Armoury during the War between the States...These revolvers were issued primarily to Confederate cavalry including the 7th, 11th, 12th, 18th and 35th Virginia as well as the 24th Georgia and the 8th Texas.

This example is a 3rd model Kerr, which are believed to have begun around serial number 3000. This Kerr is one of the early guns with serial number 3722. It has a matching cylinder serial number, and the common London Armoury markings and London proofs. It retains the first variation of the company name (London Armoury) on the lock. Later locks would be marked London Armoury Co. It also has the JS/Anchor on the grip.

I'm beyond excited to have this authentic, historic, and wonderful revolver in my minuscule Confederate collection.

 

[JOHN42768]

Very nice

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

I am a real Kerr fan for decades now, and yours looks just like it should.k
How are the mechanics?
You will find some older authorities which state that these are double action - some very early Kerrs were double action, but I've never seen one in person. So, it should be single action only.

 

[scooter748driver]

I am a real Kerr fan for decades now, and yours looks just like it should.k
How are the mechanics?
You will find some older authorities which state that these are double action - some very early Kerrs were double action, but I've never seen one in person. So, it should be single action only.

The mechanics are good. I did read that some early ones may have been double action but I'm not sure if that was just the 80 bore or not? Regardless, this one is single action.

 

[rebracer]

Very nice acquisition. Many have no idea of the use of the Kerr by Confederates and it used to be an overlooked weapon.

Reading my new copy of The English Connection and rally analyzing these revolvers has definitely gotten me wanting one.

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

I've got a lock only for a double action one, and it is a good bit more complicated than the later single action locks.

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

As I said earlier, this looks correct in all respects.
Your description says "The patent number (serial number) is engraved on the right side of the frame and also on the cylinder." That number is not a patent number, but a serial number. Engraved on the frame is "KERR'S PATENT. 3722" Those are two separate markings, so to speak, engraved in a single line. The first two words gives notice this is made under Kerr's Patent and the number is the serial number. The percussion cylinders on the Colt revolvers have the same sort of confusing marking, such as "COLT'S PATENT No. 3722" where the serial is 3722 and not a patent number, and the words COLT'S PATENT are meant to give notice that this is a patent arm and so protected from copying.
You will likely find some matching / mating numbers used to keep the parts of he gun together as it was made, one obvious one on the inside of the trigger guard bow.

 

[UCVRelics]

Congrats. Nice looking Kerr.

 

[scooter748driver]

As I said earlier, this looks correct in all respects.
Your description says "The patent number (serial number) is engraved on the right side of the frame and also on the cylinder." That number is not a patent number, but a serial number. Engraved on the frame is "KERR'S PATENT. 3722" Those are two separate markings, so to speak, engraved in a single line. The first two words gives notice this is made under Kerr's Patent and the number is the serial number. The percussion cylinders on the Colt revolvers have the same sort of confusing marking, such as "COLT'S PATENT No. 3722" where the serial is 3722 and not a patent number, and the words COLT'S PATENT are meant to give notice that this is a parent arm and so protected from copying.
You will likely find some matching / mating numbers used to keep the parts of he gun together as it was made, one obvious one on the inside of the trigger guard bow.

Yes, I was quoting the description in The English Connection which says "patent number". I added the (serial number) for, as you say, the number isn't the patent number. Being so close the the word patent it can cause confusion for those who don't know. Thanks for clarifying!

 

[TomP]

This Kerr revolver belonged to Lt. Col. James S. Terral, commander of the 7th Battalion Mississippi Infantry, who was mortally wounded on October 3, 1862 at the Battle of Corinth. It came to us with his sword, a Bible presented to him by his mother, photos of he and his wife, and a journal with letters he wrote to his infant son in the event of his death. The letters give advice on how to conduct himself in business, friendship, finances, and matters of the heart.
These items are on permanent display here at the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center.

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

Excellent!

 

[scooter748driver]

wow!

 

[TomP]

An interesting side story to the 7th Battalion Mississippi Infantry. Private Newt Knight was so distraught by the carnage at Corinth that after the battle he deserted with some friends and returned to Jones County. It was there that he established the Free State of Jones.

 

[JOHN42768]

Nice related collection

 

[Old Soldier]

The L.A.C. on the barrel is the London Armoury Company who were a main contractor for the Confederacy, supplying high quality weapons to the South, through the blockade. Their P53s were to the same standard as the Enfield production and produced on similar machinery. The pistols, however - like all British pistols at the time, were made the 'old way', using a standard set of castings but assembled 'to fit' by individual gunsmiths so the parts were rarely 'interchangeable'. Despite this, they were usually well made and most gave good service.

 

[Bunkie157]

As some may know, I recently decided to switch my collecting interests toward Confederate items. I know - dark and dangerous waters! Buyer beware, both of frauds and of going broke! Given the supply/demand relationship of things Confederate, I realize that short of winning the lottery my "collection" will only ever amount to a few items. But I am enjoying the research, the hunt, and pursuit of a few items.

I'm proud to present this Confederate Kerr revolver that "Santa" recently delivered.

Per Russ Pritchard and C.A. Huey's book The English Connection, "The Kerr revolver was manufactured by the London Armoury Company from 1859 through 1866. The revolver was made in 80 bore and 54 bore with minor variations, and had a total production run of about 11,500 revolvers." The 80 bore revolvers were made first and are not believed to have been acquired for the Confederacy.

The 54 bore (44 caliber) is a five-shot revolver that is 11.25 inches in length with a 5.5 inch barrel. The patent number (serial number) is engraved on the right side of the frame and also on the cylinder. Other markings include London Armoury stamped in small letters in an oval forward on the left side of the frame. London proofs and the letters LAC are found on the top of the barrel flat just in front of the frame. Most, but not all, of the grips have the JS/Anchor viewers mark just below the trigger guard. Many believe the initials "JS" is John Southgate, a contract viewer (inspector) for the London Armoury Company.

The Kerr evolved though three variations. Each variation is distinguished by differences in sighting grooves, rammer pivot screw location, grip checkering, etc.

Per the book by Shannon Pritchard, Collecting the Confederacy, "Purchasing agent Caleb Hughes purchased approximately 7000 Kerr patent revolvers from the London Armoury during the War between the States...These revolvers were issued primarily to Confederate cavalry including the 7th, 11th, 12th, 18th and 35th Virginia as well as the 24th Georgia and the 8th Texas.

This example is a 3rd model Kerr, which are believed to have begun around serial number 3000. This Kerr is one of the early guns with serial number 3722. It has a matching cylinder serial number, and the common London Armoury markings and London proofs. It retains the first variation of the company name (London Armoury) on the lock. Later locks would be marked London Armoury Co. It also has the JS/Anchor on the grip.

I'm beyond excited to have this authentic, historic, and wonderful revolver in my minuscule Confederate collection.

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Do you still own this revolver? Someone claiming ownership of your entire collection offered everything for sale at low prices, last week( 10/15/25).She ( if indeed it was a she) unfortunately hooked me on the Kerr.
I am going to take it to the police here but I don't expect to get any refund. Whoever did it is guilty of a Felony under Florida law.
Any help appreciated- than you

 

[Papabyrd]

Very nice Kerr congratulations . I have serial number 5422 but mine is one that did not get the J S Anchor.

 

[bayonet]

I'm proud to present this Confederate Kerr revolver that "Santa" recently delivered.

What? I didn't know Santa was a Rebel!!! Was Rudolph the Raindeer once a Union Raindeer but was seized and captured during a Rebel raid? Makes sense now how Santa fits down the chimney since most Rebels are skinny due to always being hungry.

 

[scooter748driver]

Do you still own this revolver? Someone claiming ownership of your entire collection offered everything for sale at low prices, last week( 10/15/25).She ( if indeed it was a she) unfortunately hooked me on the Kerr.
I am going to take it to the police here but I don't expect to get any refund. Whoever did it is guilty of a Felony under Florida law.
Any help appreciated- than you

Hey. No, I sold that Kerr earlier this year to another collector in NC. He's a retired law enforcement officer so I feel confident he's not behind it.

Where'd you see it listed for sale?