TUCKER & SHERRARD STATE OF TEXAS CONFEDERATE REVOLVER, WAR SOUVENIR OF A 28TH MAINE SOLDIER.

TUCKER & SHERRARD STATE OF TEXAS CONFEDERATE REVOLVER, WAR SOUVENIR OF A 28TH MAINE SOLDIER. Of the 5 or 6 known guns of this configuration, this example, serial numbered 81 is no doubt the best condition and best documented. This gun is in “as found” condition. Included with this gun is an affidavit of the great grandson of William L. Goss, a corporal in the 28th Maine stating that his grandfather indeed captured this gun at Gettysburg and later wrote a poem about this battle. Corporal Goss’ great grandson may have not known his great grandfather’s history. As a member of the 28th Maine, he was at Port Hudson at the time of the Battle of Gettysburg. Goss’ regiment never fought in the east and it makes much more sense that this gun was captured in the western theater where there were more Texas troops. According to Goss’ service records, corporal Goss was taken ill in April 1863 in the vicinity of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and was set to convalesce in a couple different places near New Orleans and Vicksburg. He rejoined his regiment in July at Donaldsonville, Louisiana. Within a few months,he was mustered out of service and went home to Maine. This would have been the perfect time to bring home his wonderful captured Texas dragoon revolver. Goss remained in Maine until late in the war and joined the 14th Maine Infantry, now as a Sergeant. The 14th Louisiana was also stationed in the Gulf where he had been with the 28th. Regardless of where Goss captured his revolver, it is without doubt the best specimen noted to date. This massive 44 cal Confederate pistol is in beautiful condition with great patina to brass and steel surfaces. The stocks retain most of their original varnish and the serial number 81 is found externally on all parts including loading arm, bbl, frame, trigger guard, back strap, wedge, cylinder and hammer. There is a 1″ blow out in one cylinder,just below the stamped serial number. The cone has been removed in this cylinder probably for continued use. Tucker and Sherrard had a contract for pistols with the state of Texas in 1862. There is lots of controversy over how many guns were delivered, but among astute collectors and historians, the only model of this gun considered truly Confederate used is this configuration with the low, straight hammer spur and square-back trigger guard. Some earlier texts have referred to this gun as a “Mormon dragoon”. These guns appear very similar in machining and finish to the other Texas-made dragoons made by Dance in nearby Anderson, Texas on atleast direct road from Houston to Lancaster. Placement of serial numbers is very similar on both guns (not seen on other US or Confederate revolvers) and there are no other wartime-made dragoons other than these two Texas makes. Only 4 or 5 Tucker and Sherrards like this are known. CONDITION: Gun is “as found”. Iron surfaces are brown all over. Metal surfaces still have sharp edges. Tiny traces of finish are still found in protected areas. Cylinder has a 1″ break just below serial number where it probably exploded from casting flaw. The cone in this cylinder has been removed. Gun still functions mechanically well. There is some small areas of shiny metal exposed under overall brown color at cylinder walls near corresponding cones where gun had been improperly indexed in more modern times. The brass trigger guard and backstrap and bbl latch are uncleaned and have pleasant mustard/yellow patina. Stocks retain most of their original varnish with two very small chips at toe and several small storage dings and scrapes. 4-40687 JS36 (90,000-110,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2010

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
	2372	$86,250.00	TUCKER & SHERRARD STATE OF TEXAS CONFEDERATE REVOLVER, WAR SOUVENIR OF A 28TH MAINE SOLDIER. Of the 5 or 6 known guns of this configuration, this example, serial numbered 81 is no doubt the best condition and best documented. This gun is in “as found” condition. Included with this gun is an affidavit of the great grandson of William L. Goss, a corporal in the 28th Maine stating that his grandfather indeed captured this gun at Gettysburg and later wrote a poem about this battle. Corporal Goss’ great grandson may have not known his great grandfather’s history. As a member of the 28th Maine, he was at Port Hudson at the time of the Battle of Gettysburg. Goss’ regiment never fought in the east and it makes much more sense that this gun was captured in the western theater where there were more Texas troops. According to Goss’ service records, corporal Goss was taken ill in April 1863 in the vicinity of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and was set to convalesce in a couple different places near New Orleans and Vicksburg. He rejoined his regiment in July at Donaldsonville, Louisiana. Within a few months,he was mustered out of service and went home to Maine. This would have been the perfect time to bring home his wonderful captured Texas dragoon revolver. Goss remained in Maine until late in the war and joined the 14th Maine Infantry, now as a Sergeant. The 14th Louisiana was also stationed in the Gulf where he had been with the 28th. Regardless of where Goss captured his revolver, it is without doubt the best specimen noted to date. This massive 44 cal Confederate pistol is in beautiful condition with great patina to brass and steel surfaces. The stocks retain most of their original varnish and the serial number 81 is found externally on all parts including loading arm, bbl, frame, trigger guard, back strap, wedge, cylinder and hammer. There is a 1″ blow out in one cylinder,just below the stamped serial number. The cone has been removed in this cylinder probably for continued use. Tucker and Sherrard had a contract for pistols with the state of Texas in 1862. There is lots of controversy over how many guns were delivered, but among astute collectors and historians, the only model of this gun considered truly Confederate used is this configuration with the low, straight hammer spur and square-back trigger guard. Some earlier texts have referred to this gun as a “Mormon dragoon”. These guns appear very similar in machining and finish to the other Texas-made dragoons made by Dance in nearby Anderson, Texas on atleast direct road from Houston to Lancaster. Placement of serial numbers is very similar on both guns (not seen on other US or Confederate revolvers) and there are no other wartime-made dragoons other than these two Texas makes. Only 4 or 5 Tucker and Sherrards like this are known. CONDITION: Gun is “as found”. Iron surfaces are brown all over. Metal surfaces still have sharp edges. Tiny traces of finish are still found in protected areas. Cylinder has a 1″ break just below serial number where it probably exploded from casting flaw. The cone in this cylinder has been removed. Gun still functions mechanically well. There is some small areas of shiny metal exposed under overall brown color at cylinder walls near corresponding cones where gun had been improperly indexed in more modern times. The brass trigger guard and backstrap and bbl latch are uncleaned and have pleasant mustard/yellow patina. Stocks retain most of their original varnish with two very small chips at toe and several small storage dings and scrapes. 4-40687 JS36 (90,000-110,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2010 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.

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