Summer 2026 Premier Firearms & Militaria Auction
August 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, & 9th, 2026
This auction will feature an outstanding collection of items spanning multiple categories including Modern, Military, Sporting, & Antique firearms & militaria! Below is just a small grouping of select highlights from the massive offering to be featured in this upcoming sale!
RARE CONFEDERATE BILHARZ RISING BREECH CARBINE
01-29632 | Cal. 54. | S# 46.
One of the great rarities in American Civil War breech loading carbines is the Confederate rising breech carbine made by the firm of Bilharz, Hall, & Co. Of Pittsylvania Courthouse, Virginia. The breech block rises vertically when the trigger guard/lever is lowered. Carbine is iron mounted on 2-piece walnut stock, 21” barrel with pinched front blade front sight & adjustable rear leaf sight, spring retained flat barrel band, sling ring mounted on the left side. “CS” surcharge is stamped on breech and barrel along with “P” proof. There are two distinct variations of this carbine based on the type of lever latch. Madaus & Murphy in their comprehensive text “CONFEDERATE CARBINES & MUSKETOONS” refer to this as the scarcer type 2 spring loaded latch. Regardless of latching mechanism, only 15 survivors are documented in all configurations and this is among the best of them. My database of known survivors: 15, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 46, 51, 60, 70, 78, 85, 94, and 104. Only 100 rising breech carbines were made and sold to the Confederacy, all delivered in September 1862. They were not well received and had problems in field, but all seem to have seen hard use and several survivors highly restored. There are also at least a couple excavated frames or breeches from early battle sites. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: Letters of authentication by Bill Gary & John Sexton 2006; Copy of James Julia auction listing & paid receipt. Copy of September 16, 1862 CS government receipt for 100 Bilharz rising breech carbines. Detailed appraisal report 2013. PROVENANCE: Pictured on page 69 of Bill Albaugh’s 1960 book “CONFEDERATE ARMS”; James Julia Auction lot 2076, Oct. 2, 2012; David Berenson estate collection.
