Canadian collector of U.S. Civil War arms and militaria-Pics added.

[drm3m]

I have been collecting U.S Civil War arms and militaria of that period for over 40 years, most of my pieces have come from other (local) Canadian collectors and a few local dealers as well as some items from the U.S.
(I live in the province of Quebec)

Everything that I collect is original, I am not a shooter,…I am a collector,… so my collecting has been pursued in that vein.

In the process of collecting of this stuff I got pretty anal about photographing markings….so I have a large bank of photos.

I like to think of myself as a “condition” buyer of correct original stuff.

I am not yet ready to start selling my collection, however when the time comes, I would prefer to sell to collectors in Canada. (The market permitting?)

I am reasonably aware of the retail value of nice pieces in the U.S and I would hope to avoid selling at 50% of the collector market value to either Canadian or U.S. dealers.
(If possible.)

I certainly understand that dealers are in business to make a reasonable profit and I do not begrudge them that, but it takes a long time to put a decent collection together and I would hope that there may be some collectors that might appreciate pieces from the current custodian;….which is what I consider myself.

There was a time where the US/Canadian dollar exchange rate suggested that the U.S. was the most logical market to consider as a seller.

That exchange spread is gone; however the U.S. remains an obviously larger market for US martial arms of this period.

I have no idea how many other collectors there might be in Canada that have similar interests.

For they that are seriously interested in this collecting field please feel free to contact me.

David

P.S
One of the reasons I decided to post this thread had to do with a post relating to de-registering antique firearms.
That exercise is currently under way for two of my pieces.

-A very nice New Model 1858 Remington Army revolver.
-A somewhat nicer Model 1858 Starr Double Action Army revolver.
(60-80 % original blue remaining with very crisp cartouches on the grips.)

Thanks for the link to the CFC for the de-registration forms.

 

[canuck]

I am having trouble posting photos....or I would have.
This forum is unfamiliar to me in the photo posting regard.

You need to download your pics at photobucket (or similar photo hosting sites) in order to post them here - I, for one, would love to see them!
I commend you on your desire to keep your collection in Canadian hands, I hope (when the time comes) you are able to do just that.
I have bought a couple of collectable firearms from fellows who knew they could realize much better $$ down south, but felt the same as you and passed them off to a fellow Canadian - it was much appreciated

 

[drm3m]

Thanks for your suggestion for photo bucket or similar photo hosting site I have no experience with them....but I guess I will learn.

I have posted many photos on Jan Still's Luger forum but it works differently.

Canada seems to have received many fine U.S. Civil War arms for whatever reason,....migration north after the war or perhaps for other reasons.

The bottom line.... there is some very nice stuff up here ,...perhaps squirreled away in old collections,....but never the less ...they are here... somewhere.

I have had comments from US collectors regarding the condition of some of my stuff.....they rarely find these items except at high end shows i.e Baltimore.

I got some of my pieces years ago so it it is obviously not the same situation today.

It was a fascinating period in US history and I suspect that the collecting appetite in the US will continue to escalate for items from this period.

David

 

[whatguns?]

Being relatively new to "firearms collecting" (the last 5 years) I certainly envy you Sir. Your area of expertise is one which has interested me of late and it was probably your post regarding the 1858 Remy that got me looking in that direction. Most of my searches go south of the border where, as you have indicated, demand inflates the price a bit so it's promising to hear of potential Canadian sellers. It was a very vibrant and interesting period for North America and an exciting period to collect. Please work on posting pics as we'd love to see what you've got.
Blair

 

[nessy357]

Welcome to the nutz house David, interesting thread.
Here's a link that might help posting pics .
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=198167

 

[drm3m]

Nessy 357 thanks for the heads up on uploading photos.

Here goes my first crack at this.

Model 1858 Remington Army revolver. .44 cal single action.
The U.S. Army inspectors cartouche on the left grip panel "O.W.A." is for Orville W. Ainsworth.
(1831-1870)

Model 1858 Starr Army revolver, double action .44 cal.

Colt Model 1851 Navy, martially marked with US on the frame and inspector's acceptance intials on the grip,...M.Moulton.
Mfg in 1857 , these martially marked navies are becoming difficult to find.
Clear cylinder scene and matching serial numbers.

Model 1860 Colt Army revolver, .44 cal, mfg 1863, with a ###lord marked holster.

US Model 1841 Rifle a.k.a Mississippi Rifle, with Harpers Ferry inspector's marking on the bayonet.
This rifle was part of the Whitney Contract and the lock plate is dated 1848.

Three Civil War carbines, Sharps New Model 1863, Model 1860 Spencer, and a Smith carbine.
Some of the Sharps and the Spencer carbines were modified after the Civil War and these models were used by the US cavalry during the Indian wars.

David

 

[dingus]

Very Nice

You should re post these pics in Antique Photos Sticky at the top of this form.
This post will eventully get bumped down the page and not everyone will see your Pics!

 

[drm3m]

The Civil War saw a multitude of privately purchased side arms that were used by both the North and South.
Here are a few examples.

Model 1849 Pocket Colt revolver, .31 caliber.

Model 1862 Colt Police revolver, .36 caliber.

Manhattan revolver, .36 caliber.

Model 1861 Colt Navy revolver, .36 caliber. This particular gun was manufactured in 1861.

David

 

[drm3m]

During the early years of the Civil War both sides used the U.S. Model 1842 Musket.

This was the first regulation percussion arm produced in the national armories.

This gun shows an 1843 lock plate date and was manufactured by Harpers Ferry Armory, 1843 is the earliest date seen on these 1842 muskets.

This was the last of the smoothbores and fired a .69 caliber round ball or a "buck and ball" consisting of a .69 caliber ball with three rounds of buckshot.

The correct bayonet for this musket is the U.S. Bayonet Model 1835 which came in a Regulation Pattern of 1839 scabbard.

David

 

[tiriaq]

I, too, have noticed that Civil War period items surface occasionally - not pieces imported by collectors in recent times.
Saw a "MISS PLOUGH WORKS" Confedate dirk, and a Cook & Brother short rifle emerge in ON.
Recently acquired a Starr percussion carbine; in the same batch was a US cavalry sabre. I didn't get it, went to someone else. I wonder if they had been used together. Apparently MI cavalry used Starrs, not too far from ON.

 

[drm3m]

The collecting of swords, bayonets, and daggers from the Civil War period is endless, and a very interesting challenge, particularly when you look to the Canadian market as a source of supply.

I don't have many pieces in this catagory, but what I do have came from Canada except for the bayonet for the Model 1842 musket which came from the Baltimore show with the help of John Denner.

Model 1850 Foot Officers Sword, manufactured / or imported by Horstmann & Sons, Philadelphia.

Dalhgren (knife) bayonet manufactured by Ames Mfg Co.for the U.S. Navy for the Plymouth/Whitneyville Rifle.

Two examples of the Model 1840 Musicians swords, one manufactured by Ames the other by Roby.
The two socket bayonets (type 1 and type 2)and scabbards are the Pattern 1855 which were used on most of the .58 caliber Rifled muskets.

David

 

[drm3m]

Other kinds of collectables that can become endless.

David

 

[drm3m]

There is an incredible scope in collecting longarms in this Civil War field.

The U.S. Model 1861 Rifle Musket (and its successors) were the principal longarms of the U.S during the Civil War,. .58 caliber, it fired a minie ball.

This particular gun was part of the William Muir Contract and is dated 1863.

The Pattern 1853 Enfield rifled musket was used by both the North and the South, however, perhaps more favoured by the South.
The Enfield bayonet is shown below.

David

 

[antique collector]

you don't have a whitney revolver do you?
that was a fine pistol that most considered superior to the colt.
the confederates even made a copy of it.

 

[canuck]

Wow, fantastic collection - thanks for showing the pics.
What sword is in this pc?

[Model 1860 Colt Army revolver, .44 cal, mfg 1863, with a ###lord marked holster.

 

[drm3m]

Unfortunately I don't.
I have always admired that gun.
I just never found one that made sense.

You can find nice pieces in the U.S.
I am inclined to look for pieces that have martial markings indicating acceptance by the military. (Nicely marked ones are not cheap.)

So far no luck.

David

P.S
I think the Remington was also superior to the Colt.
(But what do I know?)

 

[drm3m]

Canuck,

Thanks for your comments.

I was afraid someone was going to ask me about that cavalry saber.
I deliberately did not mention it.
It is a PROP!
When I was twelve years old my father bought this sword for me from a pawn shop that we used to go to 130 years ago.

Over the years I have attacked many trees , bushes ,sisters with that sword.

In fact it is French, it is the pattern after which the US swords of this type were designed.(Model 1860 ,I think.)

In those days many countries copied the French, swords, uniforms etc.....
my ....have times changed?

There is an inscription (In fancy script) dated 1844 with what I think is
"Manup re Chattellerault 7 1844" .....and I could be off in my interperation of the script.

This sword originally had its original grip brass wire wrap,....before I got a hold of it.

I have been looking casually for a nice U.S. early date well marked example of the same sword. It is on the casual wish list. $700-$ 1200 US ,I suspect.

David

 

[drm3m]

How ridiculous is this?

Some collectors are whacky,…and I guess I fit into that category?

No black powder with this stuff,…..and far too noisy and expensive to shoot.

I thought one shot at a time made good sense!

MG42, MG34, MP40, PPSh-41, Lanchester, Thompson Model 1928A1.

Enough of this stuff here,.....there is more on these pieces in the Milsurp section of this forum.



David

 

[Alonzo]

There is an incredible scope in collecting longarms in this Civil War field.

The U.S. Model 1861 Rifle Musket (and its successors) were the principal longarms of the U.S during the Civil War,. .58 caliber, it fired a minie ball.

This particular gun was part of the William Muir Contract and is dated 1863.

The Pattern 1853 Enfield rifled musket was used by both the North and the South, however, perhaps more favoured by the South.
The Enfield bayonet is shown below.

David

DAVID;
You have some killer stuff there.
The contract '63 is a beauty, a scarce maker as well.
I have a '63 in similar condition.
Thanks for sharing.
Cheers

 

[drm3m]

Thanks Alonzo.

There was a scandalized story about the Muir Contract.

During the Civil War there were government contracts that sound a little like Iraq revisited.
I guess that often happens during a time of war.

David