The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Auction News--Rare Guns and CSS Virginia's Flag?

It is always interesting to see what is available and the prices Civil war related items bring at the auction houses.

1. A big auction is coming up in Nashville, Tennessee this weekend, December 1st and 2nd.

It will feature a document signed by President Jefferson Davis appointing the US Navy's Naval Academy's former commander, Franklin P. Buchanon, to a captaincy in the CS Navy. His first command was the CSS Virginia and later he commanded the CSS Tennessee. He also was promoted to the rank of admiral.

Also to be auctioned is Bucahanon's battle-scarred Stars and Bars. There is no documentation, but its style dates from the early days of the war and it is probable that it flew over the CSS Virginia in those fateful battles. It covered his casket during Buchanon's funeral.

The flag is estimated to bring in between $65-85,000. The captaincy appointment is expected to go for $3-4,000.

I also recently came across a picture of the marker by "The Rest" in Talbot County, Md. This was the home of Admiral Franklin Buchanon.

2. An auction was recently held in Fairfield, Maine that brought in $11.2 million.

A Le Mat revolver, originally on the Confederate ironclad Atlanta, had a pre-sale estimate of between $50,000 to $100,000. It went for $166,750.

A Tarpley carbine, one of only 100 made, went for $80,000.

A Confederate Texas Dane revolver fetched $51,750.

A Walker Colt pistol, considered to be "The Holy Grail" for Colt collectors, that was used in the Mexican War, went for $483,000, a new world record.

Also, of interest, three of Annie Oakley's rifles were sold as well: Marlin for $253,000 which will be put on loan to the Cody Firearms Museum, another rifle for $184,000, a a lot of her stuff and another rifle for $207,000.

Some People Just Have Too Much Money. --B -Runner.

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