3017

IDENTIFIED CARVED CONFEDERATE PATTERN 1856 RIFLE,

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:6,000.00 - 8,000.00 USD
IDENTIFIED CARVED CONFEDERATE PATTERN 1856 RIFLE,

GEORGE BEETS OF THE 2nd TENNESSEE CAVALRY. S# 1500. Cal. .577. Blockade run "JS/(anchor)" and engraved serial numbered butt plate, “S” (W & C Scott & Sons) stamped forward of butt plate tang. This is among the rarest of Confederate English imports with the most desirable of CS markings. 40” Overall with a 24” barrel with Birmingham powder proofs at left breech. Lock is marked with crown with no cypher, & "1863 / TOWER". The lock is not original to manufacture which was 1861-1862 but from a later Confederate used Enfield. Locks do not interchange without hand fitting, this fits well. The bolster must have broken and screw-in bolster from flintlock conversion was utilized with long square lug for continued use. Both sling swivels purposely removed as was bayonet lug and rear sight. Rifle saw continued use likely by Beets after the war for hunting as so often is seen among survivors. Most have been restored by modern gunsmiths, it is so nice seeing an “as found” survivor with spectacular character and ID of a colorful East Tennessee family. There are 3 names carved on right butt, the first is unknown, "John Bolden" (as carved). The second in center is “G. W. Beets” and there is only one man with that name in the Confederate Army and that is George Washington Beets (1846-1923). He joined the Ashby’s 2nd TN Cavalry on August 8, 1861. George had only turned 16 in July. He is still found on rolls in April 1864 near Dalton GA. He joined the 7th TN US Mounted Rifles on November 8, 1864, now 19 years old and collected $100 bounty. His 2 older brothers, Isaac & Wiley, were already in the Union army. The name carved below George is “Ernest Hill”, no doubt a descendent of George’s sister, Martha Jane Beets Hill (1835-1920), there is little patina in that carving unlike the other names. After service in East TN in the Union cavalry, George returned home to Clinton, TN to farm and eventually became postmaster like his father before him. He collected a Union pension until his death. CONDITION: very good overall for “as found” Southern survivor, iron patina, old varnish applied to entire gun (metal & wood). Confederate markings all discernible including "JS/(anchor)" which so often is worn away. Mechanics fine, bore has no rifling remaining, pitted and smooth measuring .60”. This survivor presents beautifully with no modern restoration, just as George Beets had it when he used it in war, took it home and used it again as shotgun around his farm in Clinton, TN. (01-21518/JS). ANTIQUE. $6,000-8,000.