This rare, surviving, southern percussion S/A revolver is an original specimen produced at the Spiller & Burr factory at Atlanta, Georgia during the Civil War. The firm was a partnership between two Virginia gentlemen, Edward N. Spiller and David J. Burr who started their operation in Richmond but soon relocated to Atlanta in 1861. There, the company ran into difficulties producing these single-action, percussion revolvers in large quantities due to labor shortages and the lack of raw materials. When the business ceased at the end of the war, the firm had made between 1,200 and 1,500 revolvers total. The Spiller and Burr pattern was based on the Federal Whitney .36 caliber percussion revolver, specifically the 2^nd Model, 1^st Type Whitney. Changes the firm made to their ‘southern Whitney’ included brass substituted for iron on the lock frame, iron in place of steel for the original cylinder, and the rounding off of the muzzle tip instead of normally sharp muzzle edges.

This sidearm has no maker’s stamp but retains its original, 6” long, octagonal barrel stamped with serial “557”, its center pin stamped “557”, and the brass Buttstrap marked “557”. Revolver, which measures 13” long, has a rear sight groove cut into the frame top strap and a thumb screw on the right side frame when turned, would allow the removal of the center axis pin. Black walnut two-piece grips fit into the rounded brass frame. Has the brass thumb screw washer in the left grip. This rare CS sidearm specimen has undergone a few additional changes to its original makeup. The original cylinder was replaced with a ‘Whitney’ cylinder; the loading lever replaced with a ‘Whitney’ loading lever; the loading lever lock on barrel replaced; the brass frame was repaired at the top strap groove at the hammer. Also, the left wood grip shows evidence of a ½” x ½” repair directly under the screw head. In addition, there is a small, visible, longtime crack on the left side frame under the cylinder. Frame screws are good but show some buggering. All gunmetal appears to have been cleaned and retains a dusky dark gray sheen. Mechanics a bit sloppy and could use adjustment. Exterior surface shows scattered light to moderate pitting and wear marks, all consistent with this weapons age and use. Barrel edges are rounded off from use.

This rare, good-looking, Confederate brass-framed Spiller and Burr .36 caliber revolver would make a very fine addition to any collection of Confederate military sidearms.

DISCLAIMER: All firearms are sold as collector's items only - we do not accept responsibility as to the shooting safety or reliability of any antique firearm. All firearms are described as accurately as possible, given the restraints of a catalog listing length. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. Any city or state regulations regarding owning antique firearms are the responsibility of the purchaser. All firearms are "mechanically perfect" unless noted, but again, are NOT warranted as safe to fire.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS,

CLICK ON ‘CONTACT US’ AT THE TOP OF ANY PAGE ON THE SITE,

THEN ON ‘LAYAWAY POLICY’.

THANK YOU!