Jefferson Davis’ .44 (.54 bore) Kerr’s Patent Revolver

A Kerr’s Patent Revolver with provenance indicating that it was one of two presented by Confederate President Jefferson Davis to the commander of his personal escort, Captain Given Campbell, Duke’s Cavalry Brigade, May 4, 1865, shortly before Davis’ capture by Union forces.

The Confederacy imported about 7000 Kerr revolvers from England and these were issued to the 7th, 11th, 12th, 18th and 35th Virginia Cavalry as well as the 24th Georgia and 8th Texas (Terry’s Texas Rangers).  This imported lot of Kerr revolvers represents far more hand guns than were ever produced by Southern Armories…

Thomas Custer, younger brother of George carried a captured Kerr revolver to his death at the Little Bighorn.  The inscribed gun can be seen on display at the Custer Battlefield Museum in Garryowen, Montana…