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3239

RARE CONFEDERATE CLAPP, GATES NORTH CAROLINA

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:5,000.00 USD Estimated At:10,000.00 - 15,000.00 USD
RARE CONFEDERATE CLAPP, GATES NORTH CAROLINA
CONTRACT RIFLE CARRIED BY 18TH NORTH CAROLINA INFANTRYMAN. Cal. 50. S# 25. Descended directly in the family of Oni Pinkney Sowers. Our consignor Sid Sowers is a direct descendant & an ambrotype of Oni is in the following lot. This rare Clapp, Gates & Co. North Carolina contract rifle was made at the Cedar Hill foundry & machine shop, 11 miles from Greensboro, NC. Rifle conforms to the standard early war configuration as described by John Murphy & Howard Madaus in their 1996 text "Confederate Rifles & Muskets" pages 104-120. 51 1/4" overall. Half oct. to rnd. 35 7/8" bbl. Rifle w/ distinct 7 lands & grooves, brass blade front sight, fixed rear sight on oct. housing. A bayonet lug numbered "25" is found on right side 3 1/2" from muzzle. Bbl. is marked on bottom "18" & 3 punch marks. The same corresponding punch marks are found in channel of stock. The brass trigger guard is 1 piece construction w/ attached swivel & is marked internally "94". Sm. brass nose cap is riveted. Bbl. retained by 2 flat bands. The forward band has sling swivel attached w/ brass pin just like one on trigger guard. The distinctive iron buttplate is slightly curved & has abrupt straight termination on top w/ no tail, unique to these North Carolina contract rifles. Lock is unmarked externally, though it has lg. "1" stamped inside. The distinctive flat serpentine percussion hammer was made w/ no knurling. Rarely do identified Confederate rifles ever come to market. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: accompanied by letter from great great grandson. CONDITION: very good overall for a Confederate arm especially. Original & complete except missing ramrod. Iron has been cleaned w/ an overall gray patina w/ pitting at breech. There are no discernable external markings other than the lg. "25" found on bayonet lug. Internally lock is complete but the sear spring is broken, not allowing for proper operation. Breech tang is broken, but still attached to gun via tang screw. Hammer screw is long missing & sear has been peened to hold hammer in place. Stock is sound, solid & complete w/ old cleaning & varnish. Bore is clean, showing well defined rifling. (01-17219/JS). ANTIQUE. $10,000-15,000.
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