Confederate purchasing agent Caleb Huse purchased approximately 7000 Kerr’s patent revolvers from the London Armoury during the War Between the States. Some, but not all, of these were stamped with the JS over an anchor like the one shown here. There are enough Confederate associated Enfield rifles and Kerr revolvers bearing this mark to say with certainty that all arms having this stamp are Confederate purchased weapons.

These revolvers were issued to Confederate cavalry in large numbers, including the 7th, 11th, 12th, 18th and 35th Virginia as well as the 24th Georgia and 8th Texas.

The revolver shown here is in excellent condition for a relic, even retaining the wooden grip stock and still having one round in the chamber. This was probably a battlefield pickup in the years after the War, the gun is extremely well preserved. There is light pitting on much of the frame, but areas such as the barrel are totally pitting free. It seems that it was heavily cleaned when it was found, but that was likely more than a hundred years ago as the heavy patina matches everywhere. The hammer and trigger still move freely with tension, and even the cylinder rotates! Four screws have been replaced, as well as the cylinder retaining pin. I have not fully cocked the hammer. The grips remain wonderfully intact with a pleasing aged patina. The checkering on the grip is well worn, but still clearly visible. Though difficult to see, the JS Anchor Confederate import mark can still be seen on the front of the grip. One of the most interesting aspects of this gun is that the loading lever was replaced during its service life. Though primitive, the obverse side of the lever has been decoratively engraved with lines and extensive floral patterns that are still visible on the gun today. Likely the lever was replaced after the original was broken in the field.

As relic handguns go, this is a remarkably well preserved Confederate Kerr.

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