3080

FINE AND RARE CONFEDERATE MODIFIED HARPER’S FERRY

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:6,000.00 - 8,000.00 USD
FINE AND RARE CONFEDERATE MODIFIED HARPER’S FERRY
MISSISSIPPI RIFLE CARRIED BY F. E. LONG, 1ST KENTUCKY INFANTRY. Cal. 58. NSN. Bbl. 32 7/8". Standard configuration brass mounted bbl. mounted w/ rare patented long-range sight, Harpers Ferry proofs at breech & “1851” on tang, lock w/ eagle & “US” forward of hammer, “HARPERS FERRY / 1854” on tail. No US surcharge on buttplate or inspector’s cartouche. Front band has been arsenal altered & modified for addition of lug for saber bayonet. Rifle was also bored to 3-groove 58 caliber. This well documented Confederate altered rifle is pictured & described on pages 350-352 of Murphy & Madaus exemplary 1996 text “Confederate Rifles & Muskets”. Not only was the 1st Kentucky infantry known to have been armed w/ Mississippi rifles, it is most likely that the Harpers Ferry rifles were survivors of the burning of the arsenal. The 1st Kentucky was unarmed when they left Nashville in April 1861 but on May 5 asked for arms while stationed at Harpers Ferry. Long finely inscribed his name in crossed hatched letters on sideplate “F.E. LONG, KY”. Many altered Mississippi rifles found their way into the hands of Confederate infantry & numerous parts & even complete examples in identical configuration have been excavated from Confederate battle & camp sites. This rifle has survived in beautiful condition, most likely a Union souvenir from the Confederate defeat of JEB Stuart at Dranesville, VA where F. E. Long was captured December 20, 1861. Finis E. Long (1837-1923) entered service w/ 1st Kentucky Volunteer Infantry at Louisville April 23, 1861 as corporal. At Harper’s Ferry in May he was issued this rifle which he inscribed w/ his name on sideplate. The 1st Kentucky was the only Kentucky Regiment to fight in the Army of Northern Virginia. At the battle of Dranesville under command of Jeb Stuart December 20, Finis was captured. He was exchanged early 1862 & returned to his unit in Richmond. He was promoted to sergeant February 9, 1862 & was elected captain on April 30. The unit was mustered out 2 weeks later on May 14 & Finis enlisted as Lieut. in the newly formed 2nd Kentucky cavalry. 2nd KY cavalry would soon move south to Army of Tennessee, under command of Joe Wheeler, where Finis would finish his service. He would finally sign oath of allegiance May 7, 1865 & would return to Louisville. Finis married in 1867, raised lg. family & worked as a carpenter & building contractor for many years in Louisville living to 83 years old. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: several letters concerning provenance & research from original collector Peter Kluber. CONDITION: very good to fine overall. Appears complete, matching & original, the rear sight may be later addition (it is photographed & described in Murphy & Madaus). Bbl. & lock have mottled gray patina, markings all very good. Brass has light mustard patina. Stock well fit w/ rounding of edges, hand worn patina. Mechanically fine w/ crisp rifled bore. (01-18998/JS). ANTIQUE. $6,000-8,000.