Our Price: sold

No serial number. Caliber .52. This is an “as found” example of a rare Confederate carbine. The Keen, Walker & Co. carbine long known as the Confederate “Perry” or “Tilting Breech” carbine was the subject of much speculation as to where it was manufactured in early texts, scholarly research identifies it definitively as the product of Keen, Walker & Co. in Danville, Virginia. John Murphy & Howard Madaus in their comprehensive 2002 text Confederate Carbines & Musketoons devote a chapter on this manufacturer. They note a receipt for 101 breech loading carbines delivered May 19, 1862 to the Confederate Ordnance Department.

The frame is of brass and unmarked externally. Internally Roman numerals would be found, but this gun has not had a screw removed. The 22-1/2″ barrel is rifled and marked only with a “P” proof on the left side. The stock is carved “R H HARRIS” though “HARRIS” is much lighter than the first 2 initials. Accompanying this gun is a large file of research telling provenance and history of this gun. Dr. Richard Herbert Harris (1847-1876) was a member of the 1st Virginia “Nottoway Reserves”, he is buried in the town cemetery in Blackstone, VA.

Good overall, though iron is heavily patinated, brass frame has pleasing dark mustard colored patina. Gun is totally original and complete with exception of ring for carbine sling. Stock is sound and solid with minor cosmetic blemishes and hand worn patina. The action is functional though slightly loose. Bore exhibits well-defined rifling though heavily pitted.