Rifle Collection

[rickvox79]

A friend of mine's father passed away suddenly 4-5 months ago. I never realized that his dad was a massive Civil War collector until he mentioned it in passing not long after his dad died. He said his father had a a full room dedicated to his collections of rifles, pistols, swords etc. He finally was able to bring a few home and let me look them over tonight.

Admittedly, as many Civil War books as I've read I am still not a weapons expert at all. I thought i'd post some pictures and get some thoughts or info on these. I did some googling but I trust the people on this forums and knew I could get good info here. Sorry that the pics are great, used my phone since it was sort of spur of the moment.

 

[Drew]

Wow, this looks like a U.S. Cavalry-issue carbine, but I'm not the expert. Others will surely chime in.

 

[Jobe Holiday]

First, a Burnside Carbine, second a Spencer Model 1865 Spencer Carbine.
J.

 

[Patrick H]

Nice! If you can arrange it, please keep the pictures coming.

 

[rickvox79]

No idea on this one. Didn't have any markings like the others. This is just the tip of the iceberg from what he told me. His dad has probably around 50-60 rifles, 50-60 pistols, swords and bayonets. But his dads house is 3 hours away so he just brought a few to show me. He also had a springfield bolt action marked 1903 on it.

He is not a collector nor is he knowledgeable on them so he's trying decide what to do with them all. He's debated selling some or donating some to museums.

 

[rickvox79]

And another one that I'm not sure about

 

[Booner]

It looks to me that the gun in post #6 is a cut down Enfield musket to make it into a carbine. I notice it has no sights.

If I were your friend, I would first try to find a party that would give me an estimate of each weapon's value. Perhaps his father has some paperwork that would help establish that value. Perhaps there might be some valuable weapon in the collection.

Then the decision to sell or donate.
Personally, I would sell them rather than donate to a museum. Museums have a habit of selling off collections to raise funds for their pet projects. I would rather sell them to someone who appreciates them.

 

[Lanyard Puller]

[QUOTE="Booner,
If I were your friend, I would first try to find a party that would give me an estimate of each weapon's value. Perhaps his father has some paperwork that would help establish that value. Perhaps there might be some valuable weapon in the collection.
Then the decision to sell or donate.

Booner is spot on. You can, however deduct donations from your taxes if given to a quailifed charitable trust, foundation, museum, etc., but will need professional advice on this tactic first. I've sent you a P.M. {NO I'm not a 501.C3} just a collector.

 

[JOHN42768]

1st & 4th are as stated a Burnside M1865, however mismatched serial number. 2nd & 3rd as stated a Spencer carbine. 5th being a modified Enfield. 6th being a Austrian Tubelock Carbine. Since what you have shown are all black powder, he should be able to sell most places without needing an FFL. If he decides to sell them , have him check with a couple of dealers and auctions that sell firearms.

 

[Jimklag]

Nice collection.

 

[Don Dixon]

The weapon pictured in post #6 is a Muster 1851 Austro-Hungarian cavalry carbine. The Federal Army imported 10,000 of them. One shipment headed to the Confederacy was captured by the Federal Navy on a blockade runner.

If the decision is to sell all or part of the collection, a reputable dealer who specializes in arms of the Civil War period is Tim Prince at College Hill Arsenal.

Regards,
Don Dixon

 

[Jobe Holiday]

Booner's advice regarding museums is spot on. I have some behind the scenes experience with museums, sell the arms and reap the benefits yourself.
J.

 

[UCVRelics]

Nice pieces and we would love to see more of his fathers collection. If he decides to part with them selling to a collector is the best way to go as he will get more money than from a dealer. I will PM you my info. Hope you have a Merry Christmas.

 

[Liberty and Secession]

Hello-

It's probably a long shot, but if you happen to see "Cook and Brother" stamped on any of the rifles weapons or swords, I would definitely be interested.

Thanks,

Kelly

 

[Tin cup]

A neat piece of history in those Carbines! Thanks for sharing! BTW...Merry Christmas folk!

Kevin Dally

 

[UCVRelics]

"Cook and Brother"

Like this one

 

[1867crete]

It looks to me that the gun in post #6 is a cut down Enfield musket to make it into a carbine. I notice it has no sights.

If I were your friend, I would first try to find a party that would give me an estimate of each weapon's value. Perhaps his father has some paperwork that would help establish that value. Perhaps there might be some valuable weapon in the collection.

Then the decision to sell or donate.
Personally, I would sell them rather than donate to a museum. Museums have a habit of selling off collections to raise funds for their pet projects. I would rather sell them to someone who appreciates them.

Yes I agree I had a good friend that had a rather extensive CW collection here in central Nebraska one of the terms of his donation was that the collection was displayed and kept together etc.... I have mixed feelings on Donating.... RIP Dick

 

[Jobe Holiday]

Just look at what happened to Dr. Murphy's collection.
J.

 

[Liberty and Secession]

Like this one
View attachment 214977

Here are mine

 

[Tin cup]

Here are mine.

Double WOW!

Kevin Dally