Rare Civil War CONFEDERATE Kerr Percussion Revolver
A Rare Antique Single-Action Civil War CONFEDERATE Kerr's Patent Percussion Revolver, SN# "7337" made by the "London Armoury Company" based in London, England. This company exported these robust, five-shot revolvers to the Confederacy in large numbers during the Civil War. Considered a secondary issue sidearm in the South, the cap and ball percussion revolver was also privately purchased by many Confederate officers for personal use. Weapon features the most popular 54 bore size (.45 caliber) with a five-shot cylinder matched to a 5½” octagonal barrel. Sidearm measures 11” long, weighs 30 oz. and displays a one-piece English walnut grip that features profuse factory checkering. Butt strap is secured by two screws and has a lanyard swivel ring attached. An external side spring located on the left side of the frame behind the recoil shield allows for the cylinder to be removed. With the side spring held back, the matching long cylinder pin is removed and the cylinder drops down and out. Loading lever is thick and flat with a rounded, knurled grip that secures to the bottom of the barrel.
Stock is English walnut and is heavily checkered from the factory. An important stamping is found in the wood of the stock just below the end of the trigger guard strap. This is the “JS over an anchor” stamping. Letters are approx. 1/8” high and an anchor symbol “3/16” high. Metal butt plate held by two screws and features a lanyard swivel ring attached. Stampings “L.A.C.” and “a crown over a ‘V’” and “crown over ‘GP’” proof marks appear on the left flat of the barrel. Lower right side of frame exhibits the engraved “KERR’S PATENT. 7337”.
The cylinder with British Proof marks. On lower left frame to rear is stamped “LONDON ARMOURY".
The pistol is stamped number “891” which appears on the front face of the cylinder, the frame flat below the cylinder, under the barrel strap, on the inside bow of the trigger guard and on the inside of the lock plate. All metal wears a mottled salt and pepper dark gray-brown patina and shows approx. 5% original blue in areas. The five-shot, unrebated cylinder has all five original nipples that protrude from the back of the cylinder as well as five British proof marks clearly stamped on the surface at the rear between the chambers. All frame screws original and not severely marred. The inside of the wood grip is stamped "F 891 EA".
This original, Civil War model "Kerr" single-action revolver is a wonderful untouched, quality specimen of a secondary Confederate sidearm sure to compliment any gun collection.
NOTE: The cylinder will not index unless the trigger is pushed forward and needs some attention.
Condition:
Good. Revolver has a mostly thick, untouched and heavily oxidized brown patina with flashes of original blue in protected areas. Markings remain clear throughout. Needs mechanical attention. Bore good, moderately oxidized and lightly pitted. Grip very good with clear JS/{anchor} mark, showing scattered bumps, dings and handling marks.
HISTORY: The London Armory Co. produced about 11,000 large 54 bore revolvers from 1859-1866. The largest part of that production were purchased by the Confederacy. The majority of guns with credible Confederate association have the stamp "JS/anchor" on grips just behind trigger guard. Serial numbers range from 1019-9975 with this marking. Excellent new information can be found on English Confederate imports in the monumental text published in 2014 by Russ Pritchard and C.A. Huey The English Connection.
Ref. p. 56. Echoes of Glory, Arms and Equipment of the Confederacy., Time Life Books, Alexandria, Virginia. c. 1991.
TTI-567022
