EXTREMELY RARE SPILLER & BURR CONFEDERATE REVOLVER, 1ST MODEL, 1ST TYPE, SERIAL NUMBER 13, ONLY KNOWN SURVIVING EXAMPLE.

SN 13. Cal. 36. This gun has remarkable provenance and collection history, first being discovered by William Albaugh from a direct descent of the Union solider who had taken it home as a souvenir. This is one of the true iconic rarities in Confederate collecting. Interested parties unfamiliar with the history of the Atlanta Pistol Factory should read the provenance that accompanies this pistol. This pistol, SN 13, was in the first lot of 12 revolvers submitted to the War Department at Richmond for testing, December 26, 1862. This is the only surviving specimen of this group known. A second lot of 1st Model Spillers were resubmitted for testing in April 1863 at the Macon Armory, only 7 of the 40 revolvers submitted passed inspection and the balance returned to Spiller for reworking. Only 1 example survives of these 40 guns: 1st Model 2nd Type, SN 23. By mid-May, the Chief of Ordnance requested strengthening and other design changes and Spiller & Burrs produced after this date are of that standard; heavier frame without exposed threads of the bbl and Colt-style latch. This early Spiller is indeed a rarity in that it survived being made almost to the same proportions of a Whitney Navy but only in brass, which was much weaker than Whitney steel. Dimensionally the frames would be strengthened as noted in the standard production models and also in the rare transitional heaviest framed Spillers such as the example in the following lot. SN 13 appears orig and complete with firm name stamped on top bbl flat “SPILLER & BURR”, 7″ crowned octagonal bbl. SN “13” appears on the bottom flat of bbl, cylinder pin, cylinder pin latch, right side of frame, both grips, bottom of frame and trigger guard. Cylinder is also made without safety notches. PROVENANCE: Acquired Spring 1973 by William A. Albaugh in Maryland from a direct descent of the Union soldier, probably from Wisconsin, who brought the revolver home as a war souvenir, featured on cover and within “North/South Trader”, Vol. 1, No. 2, July 1973, pictured “The American Rifleman”, January 1974, p. 31, pictured “North/South Trader”, Vol. III, No. 3, March-April 1976, p. 12, pictured “The Illustrated History of American Civil War Relics”, 1978, p. 167, pictured “America-The Men and Their Guns That Made Her Great”, 1981, p. 55, sold to Ted Meredith, September 1987, pictured “Confederate Revolvers”, 1987, p. 30,pictured “Man-at-Arms”, January-February 1995, p. 36, pictured “Colonel Burton’s Spill and Burr Revolver”, 1996, pgs. 36 and 47; Jay Huber, 2001; Burnie Crooke Collection, Pensacola, FL, 2004; Outstanding estate collection of Confederate and historical arms of Morris Racker. CONDITION: Very good but truly fine for a surviving Confederate brass frame revolver. Iron is grey overall with strong traces of thinning blue on bbl, especially in protected areas. Some muted case colors can be seen on hammer. Stocks are sound and well fit with hand worn patina, with small chip at inside left toe. Front sight, which is unusual but appears orig to time of use, brass post mounted on dovetailed iron base unlike the crowned ends seen on standard production guns. This gun also retains traces of silver plating in protected areas on frame. It is noted that plating was discontinued after first government inspection so this only original plated gun known. Cylinder shows distinct twist lines with slightly battered nipples. Brass shows casting flaws not seen on later production guns, with an overall smooth medium mustard patina. Two sets of initials are found scratched into butt and are partially discernible as seen in photos. Orig holster and roller buckle belt that were added for display by Mr. Racker are supple, crazed. Holster loop and tab have small repairs. 51957-12 JS (30,000-50,000) – Lot 1246

Click here to view provenance

Auction: Firearms - October 2017

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1246	$23,000.00	EXTREMELY RARE SPILLER & BURR CONFEDERATE REVOLVER, 1ST MODEL, 1ST TYPE, SERIAL NUMBER 13, ONLY KNOWN SURVIVING EXAMPLE. SN 13. Cal. 36. This gun has remarkable provenance and collection history, first being discovered by William Albaugh from a direct descent of the Union solider who had taken it home as a souvenir. This is one of the true iconic rarities in Confederate collecting. Interested parties unfamiliar with the history of the Atlanta Pistol Factory should read the provenance that accompanies this pistol. This pistol, SN 13, was in the first lot of 12 revolvers submitted to the War Department at Richmond for testing, December 26, 1862. This is the only surviving specimen of this group known. A second lot of 1st Model Spillers were resubmitted for testing in April 1863 at the Macon Armory, only 7 of the 40 revolvers submitted passed inspection and the balance returned to Spiller for reworking. Only 1 example survives of these 40 guns: 1st Model 2nd Type, SN 23. By mid-May, the Chief of Ordnance requested strengthening and other design changes and Spiller & Burrs produced after this date are of that standard; heavier frame without exposed threads of the bbl and Colt-style latch. This early Spiller is indeed a rarity in that it survived being made almost to the same proportions of a Whitney Navy but only in brass, which was much weaker than Whitney steel. Dimensionally the frames would be strengthened as noted in the standard production models and also in the rare transitional heaviest framed Spillers such as the example in the following lot. SN 13 appears orig and complete with firm name stamped on top bbl flat “SPILLER & BURR”, 7″ crowned octagonal bbl. SN “13” appears on the bottom flat of bbl, cylinder pin, cylinder pin latch, right side of frame, both grips, bottom of frame and trigger guard. Cylinder is also made without safety notches. PROVENANCE: Acquired Spring 1973 by William A. Albaugh in Maryland from a direct descent of the Union soldier, probably from Wisconsin, who brought the revolver home as a war souvenir, featured on cover and within “North/South Trader”, Vol. 1, No. 2, July 1973, pictured “The American Rifleman”, January 1974, p. 31, pictured “North/South Trader”, Vol. III, No. 3, March-April 1976, p. 12, pictured “The Illustrated History of American Civil War Relics”, 1978, p. 167, pictured “America-The Men and Their Guns That Made Her Great”, 1981, p. 55, sold to Ted Meredith, September 1987, pictured “Confederate Revolvers”, 1987, p. 30,pictured “Man-at-Arms”, January-February 1995, p. 36, pictured “Colonel Burton’s Spill and Burr Revolver”, 1996, pgs. 36 and 47; Jay Huber, 2001; Burnie Crooke Collection, Pensacola, FL, 2004; Outstanding estate collection of Confederate and historical arms of Morris Racker. CONDITION: Very good but truly fine for a surviving Confederate brass frame revolver. Iron is grey overall with strong traces of thinning blue on bbl, especially in protected areas. Some muted case colors can be seen on hammer. Stocks are sound and well fit with hand worn patina, with small chip at inside left toe. Front sight, which is unusual but appears orig to time of use, brass post mounted on dovetailed iron base unlike the crowned ends seen on standard production guns. This gun also retains traces of silver plating in protected areas on frame. It is noted that plating was discontinued after first government inspection so this only original plated gun known. Cylinder shows distinct twist lines with slightly battered nipples. Brass shows casting flaws not seen on later production guns, with an overall smooth medium mustard patina. Two sets of initials are found scratched into butt and are partially discernible as seen in photos. Orig holster and roller buckle belt that were added for display by Mr. Racker are supple, crazed. Holster loop and tab have small repairs. 51957-12 JS (30,000-50,000) – Lot 1246 Click here to view provenance Auction: Firearms - October 2017 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

.red{fill:#B50938;} .white{fill:#FFFFFF;} .blue{fill:#005596;}

EXTREMELY RARE SPILLER & BURR CONFEDERATE REVOLVER, 1ST MODEL, 1ST TYPE, SERIAL NUMBER 13, ONLY KNOWN SURVIVING EXAMPLE.