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14-12-51 … 14-12-51 … Beautiful Southern Flavor Saw-Handle Pistol signed Van Wart:
A superb saw handle, silver mounted, percussion pistol. Roughly 9 inches overall length. Barrel 4 inches. 36 caliber. NRA near fine condition. Henry Van Wart (1784 – 1873), was an American businessman who became a British citizen by special act of Parliament, He founded the Birmingham Stock Exchange and had four children: William (1812 – 1868), Matilda (b. 1814), Marianne (b. 1816). and George (b. 1817). He set up a profitable business in Birmingham exporting the city’s goods to America … and largely to the south. Van Wart was friends with Louisiana businessman Frederick W. Tilton, who became Van Wart’s agent in New Orleans. He sold thousands of buttons to the Confederacy (see illustration of one above). The buttons were intended to come south through the blockade, but it is uncertain if any arrived before the end of the war. This strikingly handsome pistol also bears his firm name. Likely sent to New Orleans or Charleston just prior to the Civil War
… $1,350.00

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14-12-52 … Fine Quality “Damascus” (faux?) Steel – Cannon Barrel / Box Lock / Pistol:
Circa 1840, French style, cannon barrel percussion gun. Nine inches overall, 4 inch barrel, 50 caliber bore. Barrel is fine quality with cannon barrel turnings. Very attractive. The barrel is designed to look like hand hammered Damascus steel. I wager it is actually faux Damascus design. Fluted dark wood grip. Trigger guard, and sides of the frame are engraved with floral sprays. Frame and barrel stamped “3”. Other than that there are no markings. A very handsome and affordable antique weapon. Functions fine. Main spring very strong
… $425.00 SOLD

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14-12-53 … Superb Fluted Barrel English Box Lock Pistol:
Made circa 1840 by J. Colson of Stowmarket, Suffolk. One of his fancier works. Fine condition 52 caliber box lock action. Mechanically perfect. Retractable spur trigger is hidden until the box-lock hammer is cocked. Six inches overall. 2.25 rifled barrel with generous amounts of vivid factory blue still present, in an attractive and elaborate fluted configuration. Frame is beautifully engraved with floral sprays and maker’s name and location. Bag style grip is checkered in the finest, most delicate fashion. Sliding saftey behind hammer. Hammer design is classic fish motif. A very appealing and high finish antique weapon
… $495.00 SOLD

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14-12-54 … Cannon Barrel Pocket Pistol:
A real cute little pistol. 2.5 inch barrel, 46 caliber, overall length about 5 inches. Easily fits in the palm of my hand. Made circa 1840. Belgian ELG proofs on left barrel flat. Bottom of barrel stamped SP and ?R. Overall VG condition. Works fine. Affordable
… $245.00 SOLD

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14-12-55 … Bacon Cartridge 32 Pistol:
A nice little personal weapon made early to mid 1860s. Qty estimated at 800 or so. 4 inch barrel. 32 short rimfire. Totally unmarked as is correct. Perfect for Civil War or Wild West display. Overall VG+++. 100% original. 100% complete. Mechanically perfect
… $350.00 SOLD

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14-12-56 … Early Production 3-Screw Colt Army Revolver / Made in 1862! …
This is a “Very Good +” Colt Army revolver with all matching serial numbers except wedge. Serial Number is 66,857. The barrel is 8 inches and has the standard New York address and legend crisply legible. The frame has the clear Colt’s Patent marking. The gun is 100% original except for a replaced wedge, it is 100% complete and correct and mechanically perfect. Oddly the wedge screw is original… only the wedge itself is a replacement. The grips are very nice and have faint remnants of the inspector’s cartouche. The metal parts are marked with sub inspector s initials. The cylinder scene is somewhat worn with about 40% still visible. All other markings are clearly legible. A very handsome and solid Colt Army from the early days of the Civil War. From an ages old Michigan collection started in the 1950s. Classic CW cavalry sidearm
… $1,750.00 SOLD

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14-12-57 … Ethan Allen First Model Pocket Rifle:
One of my favorite early percussion arms. I have only owned a handful. Made 1830s to 1842. Approx 32 caliber, 14 inches overall length, with a 9 inch barrel. The nine inch barrel was the longest one offered on this model. Constructed with a saw-handle / bag grip, and an under-hammer percussion lock, this “Pocket Rifle” is truly an interesting antique. Nicely marked on the top of the frame “Pocket Rifle / Cast Steel / Warranted. Overall VG+ condition. 100% original and complete. Mechanically perfect … and quite scarce
… $850.00 SOLD

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14-12-58 …National Arms Co. Single Shot No.2 Derringer:
Overall VG+ condition. 41 caliber. 2.5 inch barrel. 100% original, 100% complete, mechanically perfect. Serial number 7322 on bottom of barrel. Full National Arms barrel legend on top flat. These model No.2 pistols were made from 1865 to 1870 at which time Colt purchased the company and rights and manufactured the exact gun under the Colt name. A great early Wild West gun
… $695.00 SOLD

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14-12-59 … Top Drawer Example Yankee Cap Box:
This rates a 9 on a scale of 10. Showsvery little wear and handling, nearly new condition. Crisp Philadelphia maker’s cartouche by Haedrich. All straps solid. Has the original pick inside but no wool. Superb finish on the leather, one of the best you will find
… $250.00 SOLD

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14-12-60 … Variant Union Army Cap Box:
These boxes with the abbreviated front flap (exposing the bottom of the inner pouch) are a variant of the early 1840s boxes with the finials on the front of the inner flap. Sort of a combination of Mexican War and Civil War design. Overall VG to fine condition. Unmarked. No wool or pick. Semi scarce
… $195.00

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14-12-61 … Nice Early War Yankee Cap Box:
A very early war example constructed without the use of copper rivets. The straps are secured with stitching ONLY. Standard CW design with front flap and closing strap fashioned from the same single piece of leather. Overall VG condition.
… $195.00

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14-12-62 … U.S. Navy Fuze Pouch …
Standard issue navy box marked PNH NY which stands for Portsmouth New Hampshire Navy Yard. These were worn of the belts of navy gunners to hold friction primers or fuses for the deck born cannon. Overall VG to fine condition. The Portsmouth Navy Yard marking is on the very scarce side
… $195.00 SOLD

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14-12-63 … Cap Box with U.S. Stamp on Cover:
Early pattern with abbreviated outer flap similar in design to the Mexican War cap boxes. This one stamped US on the outer flap. Completely sewn construction. No rivets used … hence an early war or pre war specimen. Overall VG + condition
… $195.00

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14-12-64 … Yankee Cartridge Box and Plate with Shoulder Strap …
Regulation CW infantry .58 caliber cartridge box and shoulder strap. Nicely marked “Crossman Maker Newark NJ” on the inner flap. Overall VG and solid. Shoulder strap is short as we frequently see on “battle worn” examples. Original US plate still affixed to the front flap. Both tin liners present inside the box. All straps and buckles are firmly in place. Inner implement pouch solid. Lacks only the circular eagle plate on shoulder strap which we can supply if you like. This is the real-deal. A true battle worn Yankee soldier’s cartridge box rig
… $750.00 SOLD

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14-12-65 … Yankee Infantryman’s Cartridge Box:
The standard mid war issue box with the original oval US plate on the front flap and one tin liner remaining inside. Condition is very good with a couple restorations. The latch tab on the front flap and the latch tab on the inner implement pouch are restorations … Otherwise 100% original. The plate is worth $225. The tin liner is worth $50. The box is worth $250… special holiday sale price
… $395.00 SOLD

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14-12-66 … Rare Mexican War Dragoon Model 1839 Pistol Cartridge Box Maker Marked DINGEE , Complete With Tin Liner:
This Model 1839 Pistol Cartridge Box, was issued with the M1842 Aston and Johnson Pistols, and was undoubtedly used with the M1836 conversion pistols as well. It features a single tin insert with two lower compartments for full packets of ammunition and 5 smaller compartments in the upper section of the tin. The five upper sections each hold four individual .54 caliber rounds. As described in the 1841 Ordnance Manual, the body of the box measures 6.2 long, 1.3 wide, and 3.5 high, is double flapped and has no implement pouch on the front of the body. Overall VG to fine condition. All flaps and straps are firmly in place. The interior flap bears the lightly struck maker’s stamp, H.A. DINGEE . Two slits on the front flap show where the oval US plate once resided. We may be able to supply one… call to ask. Finding these with the proper tin liner is an incredibly rare event, most surviving specimens have no liner, or a later liner. These are the accoutrements used by our mounted troops on the western frontier, … the Indian Fighters in Texas, California, Mexican War troopers, etc. … Extremely scarce
… $675.00

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14-12-67 … USN Navy Model 1843 Pistol Cartridge Box:
Very scarce cartridge box issued with the M1843 single shot .54 caliber Navy box lock pistols. Smaller than the Colt revolver boxes. Overall VG to near fine condition. Richly embossed USN on the front flap. Marked “Navy Yard NY 1864” on the inner flap. All straps and flaps complete and solid. Lacks tin liner only. A key piece for the CW accoutrement display, and not easily found
… $595.00

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14-12-68 … Percussion Conversion 1836 Flintlock Pistol By ASA Waters Dated 1844:
The last of the US martial flintlock pistols, the .54caliber 1836 was the standard issue handgun for dragoons in the Mexican War andsaw extensive use afterwards, even into the Civil War in its percussionconversion forms, some in Confederate western cavalry units where they arelisted as holster pistols. Asa Waters supplied about 20,000 of these from1837 to 1843, and another batch of about 3,000 bearing an 1844 date. Ours comesfrom that latter batch, delivered on the eve of the Mexican War. Brown speckledsilver-gray iron mounts with the lockplate showing some darker purple shadesand a clear A.H. Waters & Co./ Millbury, Mass/ 1844 lockplate stamp. Conversion is the arsenal cone-in-barrel style, with arather clunky military hammer, and some pitting around the nipple from actual firing.The wood is good, with a tight fit to the metal, good edges around the raisedlockplate platform and two visible cartouches on the offside. Original user gently thinned the wood forward of the front barrel band. One small crackruns forward from the upper lockplate screw, which is pretty typical, and somedings to the offside opposite the lock. One fingernail width indentation on thelower left grip. The hammer screw is probably a replacement. The barrel proofsare obscured, but the JH inspector marks, matching the cartouche, are visible.Rammer, swivel assembly, sights, etc., all in place. Bore and mechanics good. Best part is the captured ramrodAgood representative specimen of a classic US martial single shot pistol as used by US Dragoons … and a solidexample of an early war southern troopers’ sidearm for an affordable Confederate cavalry display
… $735.00 SOLD

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14-12-69 … Very Low Number First Model Bacon Spur-Trigger Percussion Revolver …
First Model Bacon Arms Co. pocket revolver with the cylinderrelease button on the left side of the frame. These 5-shot .31 caliber revolvers were made in the mid-1860s, featuring a solid frame and spur trigger,with a 4-inch barrel. Only about 2,000 were manufactured, about half being of this first pattern. Ours is numbered 570 on the underside of the barrel, makingit very early in the production run. The wood grips are excellent and the leafyvine scroll engraving fore and aft of the cylinder is vivid. The metal issmooth overall, generally silver gray but with both some scattered brown spotsand traces of the original blued finish that show up as a faded plum here andthere. Loading lever, sights, etc. all in place. Bore and mechanics good. Anice pocket revolver suitable for an officer s personal defense or an earlywestern collection. A very scarce Civil War sidearm
… $725.00 SOLD

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14-12-70 … Standard Issue Union Army .58 Caliber Bayonet and Early-War Scabbard …
Every Yankee infantryman was issued a bayonet for his longarm and was expected to keep it handy, carrying it on his waist belt along withhis percussion cap pouch. This is a nice regulation issue example for the .58Caliber Springfield and its contract versions, bright overall with just somesmall graying areas, a functioning locking ring that secured it to the barrel,and a legible US over S blade marking at the base of the blade. Even rarer thanthe weapon is its original early war bayonet scabbard consisting of a sewnblack leather body, brass tip and bridle leather belt loop. Reilly calls thesethe Pattern of 1861 Type III, but they are better known simply as the Two-Rivet bayonet scabbard, from the introduction of two rivets in additionto stitching to secure the belt loop to the scabbard body. (As the war went on,the government gradually increased the number of rivets required, until 8 andeven 9-rivet scabbards are found.) This one is not only early war but nice:full-length, complete with tip and secure belt loop, showing some scuffing hereand there, but very solid, and with its stitching in place, and no bends orbreaks. A key Civil War accoutrement and tough to find any more indecent shape
… $275.00 SOLD

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14-12-71 … Cap Box by C.S. Storms …
Standard early to mid war pattern Union Army cap box with one-piece front flap – closing strap. Nicely maker marked C.S. Storms Maker NY. Shows light wear and handling. Very solid with all straps firmly in place
… $165.00 SOLD

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14-12-72 … Civil War Cavalry Cartridge Box … Civil War Cavalry Carbine Cartridge Box Made By CS Storms:
Regulation issue cavalry cartridge box for the carbine. Extra fine condition. Incontrast to the infantry boxes, which used tinned iron inserts to hold thecartridges, the cavalry boxes used a wood block bored out with twenty-holes tokeep their cartridges secure and prevent them being shaken to pieces by thejostling movements of mounted troopers. This is the quintessential cavalry box,used for a variety of cavalry carbines and differing only in the dimensions ofthe holes in the block where necessary. The box is very solid, just somecrackling and finish loss to areas from actual wear and use. Both belt loopsare in place and it even retains the buckles on the bottom and the cross-strapto retain a shoulder belt, that was never actually issued with these. Fullouter cover and inner flap with the outer latch tab in place and secured bystitching and a rivet, and a full implement pouch, flap and tab on the face ofthe box. Stitching and side ears are in place. Maker s stamp is visible on theside panel. CS Storms N.Y. A very nice example of a key piece of cavalry gear, carriedby every cavalryman on his saber belt and occasionally slid onto his carbinesling. If you have a carbine you need this box. Top notch example
… $375.00 SOLD

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14-12-73 … M1860 Colt 44 Caliber Army Revolver in its’ Original Holster:
Freshly found in SE Michigan by one of the premier pickers in the Toledo area, is this Civil War Colt Army revolver and holster. It is all original and complete except for the wedge screw that was missing and which we replaced. It resides in its’ original army issue full flap holster which bears the owner’s name incised on the belt loop … appears to read “T Lowe” (possibly more). Holster is VG, just lacks the end plug. Colt is overall VG condition. All matched serial numbers 139,110 (mid 1863 production.). Barrel legend is crisp. Cylinder scene is worn. Metal patina is a mixture of grey and splotchy rust brown patina. Grips are VG. Mechanically OK but slightly out of tune. It does cock and index. The records show several cavalrymen with the name T. Lowe. Thomas Lowe 2nd Ks Cav., Thomas L. Lowe 14th Ks Cav., Thomas Lowe 3rd Mass Cav., Theodore Lowe 3rd Michigan Cavalry, Theodore Lowe 14th NY Cav., Thomas Lowe 7th Penna. Cav., Thomas Lowe 14th Penna. Cav., Thomas M. Lowe 2nd Tenn. Cav. USA, Thomas Lowe 5th US Cavalry, Thomas Lowe 4th West Virginia Cav. , … not sure which if any of them carried this old war horse, but they are the likely candidates. I’ll leave the rest of the research for you. Hard to find a CW revolver in THE original holster, especially priced this fairly
… $1,650.00 SOLD

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14-12-74 … Civil War Cavalry Issue Revolver Cartridge Box:
The standard medium size box in harness leather. Very Good condition overall… just shows light age and handling wear. When I was in high school, Turner Kirkland in Union City, Tennessee sold us these things for $5 each. I guess I should have bought a thousand … but then again, back then five bucks was real money. Gas cost 35 cents a gallon. Cigarettes about the same per pack. A Big Mac was 45 cents. My brand new car … a red AMC Javelin with black racing stripes and 3 speed manual transmission…. off the lot… $3,017.10 including tax. (My dad loaned me the dough, that’s why I remember.) I guess prices have changed
… $175.00 SOLD

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14-12-75 … Fine Small Size Henry / Samuel Nock Flintlock Muff Pistol:
A solid early weapon from the first quarter of the 19th century. Fits in the palm of my hand. Barrel is under 2 inches in length. About 44 caliber. Overall VG to fine condition. 100% original, 100% complete, and mechanically perfect. The left side of the frame is engraved NOCK. The right side is engraved LONDON. A dandy early weapon now approaching 200 years in age
… $595.00 SOLD

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14-12-76 … Regulation Issue Union Army US Oval Buckle:
Standard waist belt plate of the Union army. Excellent condition with attractive age patina. Has two arrow hooks and single prong fastener on the back. About as nice as you are going to find
… $245.00 SOLD

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14-12-77 … Large Bore Tranter Pinfire Revolver:
Tranter pattern revolver totally unmarked except for engraved number 2513 on the top flat of the frame and a couple miniscule proof marks on the left upper barrel flat. I will assume this is a European brevet or possibly a patent infringement. Five inch barrel is 11 millimeter bore size (41 cal). The gun is near fine condition and retains a large amount of original factory blue finish. It is a double action revolver but it currently does not function. Pulling the trigger activates the internals, but the hidden notched section of the hammer must have some serious wear as it fails to engage when the trigger is pulled. Likewise the hand does not engage to rotate the cylinder. The solution may be as simple as filing a new notch in the hammer base, or it might be not-so-simple. I am selling it “as-is”. Right side of barrel has an ejector rod fashioned exactly like a percussion rammer. It makes me wonder if this might be a rimfire conversion of a percussion gun. It is the first such Tranter I have encountered. Dates 1860s era … dge tm
… $595.00 – SOLD

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14-12-78 … Complete Yankee Cap Box:
VG++ condition cap box with Crossman maker’s stamp from Newark NJ as well as inspector’s cartouche on the front flap. All straps and buckles firmly in place. Interior retains the original sheep’s wool lining and the original nipple pick … aka vent pick. Solid. Shows just the right age
… $195.00 SOLD

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14-12-79 … Superb Near Mint, Inscribed 45th Ohio, Kentucky Carried, 1851 Colt Navy Revolver:
Without question
THE BEST
condition inscribed Colt Navy I have ever owned. Truly magnificent. NRA “Excellent” approaching mint. Far far better than “Extra Fine”. 90% blue, 90% case color, 100% scene, all matched serial numbers. Stellar! The back strap is professionally inscribed
“To Major Hill 45th Regt. O.V.I.”
The owner has a most interesting biography. He is Joseph Hill Jr. Born 1824 in Concord, Ohio. In the mid 1850s Governor Salmon P. Chase appointed Hill to his staff as Colonel, where he worked to strengthen and improve the Ohio Militia. When the war broke out he asked for a major’s position in the 66th Ohio but that position was already filled. In the Spring of 1862 he was offered the Major’s position in the 45th Ohio which he accepted. Shortly thereafter he was presented with this revolver bearing SN 127080 (1862 production). With his regiment they moved to Kentucky to defend against Confederate General Kirby Smith. On November 16th Hill was promoted to Lieut. Colonel of the regiment. On December 2nd Hill was ordered by General Gillmore to take four companies of the 45th and two mountain howitzers to Versailes, Kentucky to guard the Kentucky River. The regiment lost five men captured. In early 1863 they engaged CS Colonel Cluke, and in March they became a mounted regiment brigaded with the 7th Ohio Cavalry and 10th Kentucky Cavalry. On March 30th 1863 Hill and his men went into action at Dutton’s Hill, KY., It was a hard little fight with Confederate cavalry under General John Pegram, who later saw service commanding infantry under Lee in Virginia. Pegram led a brigade of roughly 1,500 cavalry with some mountain howitzers on a raid across the Cumberland River to gather cattle in Kentucky. The 45th Ohio (now mounted) was part of a brigade commanded by Gen. Quincy Gilmore sent out to counter Pegram. Gilmore’s troops were a combination of cavalry, mounted infantry, and few artillery pieces. He found Pegram’s men posted on Dutton’s Hill, three miles north of Somerset, covering the withdrawal of the cattle they had gathered across the Cumberland River. Pegram attempted to outflank Gilmore’s right, but the movement stalled and Gilmore in the meantime bombarded the Confederate positions on the hill and then sent the 7th and 45th Ohio forward in a dismounted charge that took the hill after hard fighting with the 2nd Tennessee, 1st Florida and 1st Louisiana, and hit the Confederate flanking force in the rear and forcing Pegram to withdraw. Confederate losses were reckoned at close to 200 and Federals boasted they lost fewer than thirty. The 45th Ohio lost one man killed and another wounded. The skirmish was a Union victory that pushed the rebs back to the Cumberland River.

Within a few weeks, learning of pressing matters requiring his personal attention at home, Hill tendered his resignation for personal reasons and despite the pleadings of his Colonel to remain with the regiment, and despite General Schofield’s concurrence with the Colonel, General Burnside nonetheless granted his request and Hill returned to Ohio to attend to family and business matters. The Colonel of the 45th wrote…
“ I know of no person who can fill Lieut. Colonel Hill’s place, and I part with his services with regret.”
The revolver is truly magnificent. You will note the number “2” stamped as a suffix near the serial number on the barrel lug, trigger guard, frame, and butt strap. This likely indicates the revolver was part of a pair ordered from the Colt factory. Because of the stellar condition I hypothesize that this Colt was likely part of a cased set… a brace of Navies if you will. I would further submit that some family members in modern times split the guns up to satisfy equality in settling a will upon a descendant’s death. I can’t prove it, but I believe it to be likely. In other words, there may be a matched twin to the Colt in someone’s possession. The condition of this wonderful specimen would certainly warrant marrying it with a fine condition original casing with accoutrements. Or it is beautiful displayed just as it stands
… $16,500.00

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14-12-80 … Superb Condition Cased Smith & Wesson No. 2:
Excellent to near mint Condition. “Minty” in the current vernacular. The six-shot .32 caliber S&W was widely carried by officers during the Civil War. The rimfire cartridges were waterproof and hard to damage. Here is a remarkable example in the original Smith & Wesson factory casing. 100% original and mechanically as new. Excellent rosewood grips. About 95 percent high luster factory blue overall, with just a smidge of thinning and wear on high areas. Has vivid Smith & Wesson, Springfield, Mass. barrel legend on top of the barrel. Cylinder face and face of barrel lug have matching bench marks, “LL2”, butt strap shows serial number 31648, which is a solid wartime serial number. (Anything under 36,000 is pre April 1865.) When found it did not have any cartridges. In my personal collection I have a presentation cased pair with an unopened box of cartridges. I had my photographer Arthur make a facsimile package using my original box, and have included it here. Looks like the real McCoy. Also displayed in the box are some original .32 caliber cartridges, a silver star of unknown purpose with five attaching wires on the back, and some Civil War eagle buttons. The casing is in excellent condition, lightly faded red velvet lined pad under the lid with one wear spot and velvet covered bottom with wood dividers. There is a hairline crack in the lid. A magnificent looking set that would be fun and not too hard to complete with original cartridges, oiler, cleaning jag… etc. Looks great just the way it stands
… $4,950.00

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14-12-81 … The “Peterson-75” Civil War Officer’s Sword 14-10-22 …
Nicknamed from its listing in Harold Peterson’s famous book, The American Sword, is this pattern of non-regulation officer’s sword that was popular for field use because of its metal scabbard. These were German made but patterned on the British 1822 pattern sword and incorporated a US eagle and national motto worked into the steel guard, along with several different styles of blade etching. Ours is clearly marked by Walscheid Solingen on one side of the ricasso, and on the other with an inset stamped brass disk reading “proved.” The hilt is mounted in steel with a grooved round pommel and slotted knuckle guard that leads to the counter guard with eagle and E PLURIBUS UNUM in ribband motif and curled quillon. The grip is rayskin with triple wire (thin, coiled, thin), back strap, and ferrule at the base.

The blade is single edged, spear point with substantial back edge, single fuller running about 2/3 of the blade, no nicks, silvery-gray with grayer dark areas, but very legible etching: and spread winged eagle with ribband and motto on one side and a large cross-hatched US on the other, both surrounded with profuse floral motifs. The scabbard is equally nice, both carrying rings, drag and throat in place, mellow aged color a smoky pewter with some shades of purple and blue. Very minor wear to the rayskin of the grip. A very nice sword. Typical of those carried in the field by officers who did not want to explain to a presentation committee how their costly gift got banged up in the fighting or be troubled by a leather scabbard broken in action while they were brandishing the sword to keep the men in line. A most affordable CW officer’s sword
… $775.00

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14-12-82 … Target Rifle by William Tobin of Detroit:
Nice half-stock double-set trigger, heavy barrel, target rifle with a back action lock and percussion side lug. Scrolled brass triggerguard and finger rest, deep crescent brass butt plate. Floral scroll engraving on the lockplate and hammer, and the hammer screw is decorated as well. Octagonal heavy barrel still showing lots of blue finish shifting to brown with some light crusty surface rust that would clean with patience and oil. Single lockplate screw on small escutcheon washer on offside, the screw head with decorative notches. Front sight in place, simple buckhorn rear sight with elevation slide, small hole at the tang shows it once also mounted a peep sight of some sort. Wood ramrod seems original. Two ramrod pipes, German silver nose cap, single barrel wedge with oval escutcheon plates. Some rudimentary engraving on breechplug tang and screw. Some crustiness around the nipple and side lug bolster.

Deeply and neatly stamped on the top barrel flat rear of the sight is W. Tobin / Detroit. The 1857 Detroit City Directory lists William Tobin as Gunsmith at 18 Congress Street. I was raised in Detroit and it’s hard to imagine a gunsmith on Congress Street now. Approx 44 caliber with false muzzle stuck in place. I don’t have a small size bore light but I shined a flashlight in it and fear the bore is rusty. Would look great with a hunting bag and horn or flask. Michigan guns are on the scarce side and this is a well made example
… $1,250.00

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14-12-83 … M1840, 1851 Dated Ames Heavy Cavalry Saber and Scabbard …
M1840 Heavy Cavalry Saber, marked “AMES MFG. CO. / CABOTVILLE /1851” and “US / A.D.K.” … this “wristbreaker” saber and scabbard are both in VG to FINE condition. The blade is without bends, nick free, and has a pleasing aged steel patina. The leather grip has dried out a touch, but looks great, and is in Fine condition with original wire wrapping. The guard is likewise in fine condition as well, with only modest handling wear for its age, and a light patina. The scabbard is likewise in very good condition with a smooth dark brown patina, and no damage or defects of significance. … gejyy
… $1,250.00

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14-12-84 … CDV of a Character-Filled Black Gentleman …
Sharp vignette portrait bust of black gentleman in formal dress. No back mark or identification, but this guy has the look of experience and determination. His mouth is slightly downturned, giving the impression of a long hard life, but his fixed serious expression indicates someone not to be trifled with. At the same time he has raised one eyebrow slightly, indicating to the viewer he has taken your measure and he is not terribly impressed. One very strong portrait. Slight foxing spots overall but nice tones and a crisp card … beyy
… $125.00

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14-12-85 … U.S. Navy Officer George A. Flagg Jr. …
Nice vignette portrait bust of a USN cadet by Fowler, Newport R.I. Opposite U.S. Naval Academy. Flagg entered the US Naval Academy as a midshipman 9/21/61 and graduated 11/22/64. He made Ensign 11/21/66; Master 12/1/66; and Lieutenant 3/12/68. He died 6/20/69. A very crisp view of the young naval officer
… $85.00

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14-12-86 … Colonel John S. Slocum Killed at Bull Run July 21, 1861
Very nice full length studion portrait by Silsbee, Case & Co. Boston of Col. Slocum of the 2nd Rhode Island, killed in action at Bull Run. Wearing his colonel s frock coat, guantlets, holding his saber, with his forage cap on the table beside him. Slocum served as a lieutenant in the 9th US Infantry in the Mexican War at the battles of Contreras, Churubusco, and Chaupultepec. He was brevetted Captain for his actions at Contreras and led one of the storming companies at Chapultepec, where he gained a regular promotion to Captain. He left the army but was later on the examining board at West Point and was offered a Major s commission in the First Rhode Island at the outbreak of the war and then command of the Second Rhode Island as Colonel. At Bull Run, he led the regiment against the Confederates at Sudley Ford and was mortally wounded in the fighting and was left on the field, living for two days, but unconscious until he died. He was regarded as an officer of great potential and one of the early martyrs to the Union cause. Some areas of shading, a wonderful period ink inscription at bottom front: Col. John S. Slocum / 2d R.I. Regiment / Killed at Bull Run July 21, 1861. Photos of KIA soldiers are the most highly sought … aed
… $275.00 SOLD

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14-12-87 … Fine Sixth Plate Tintype Early War Officer:
A fine pose of a Union volunteer circa 1861 posed in his frock coat with epaulets, and proudly displaying his Mexican War era militia officer’s sword. Crumpled in his lap is his sword-belt. Excellent on all fronts. Housed in a fine full case. My gut says our man hails from New England. Great early CW image
… $395.00

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14-12-88 … C1815 Artillery Officers Presentation Grade Eagle Pommel Sword and Scabbard:
One of the finest early “eagle-head” swords I have owned. Magnificent on all fronts. The photos tell the story from the carved bone grip to the hand engraved scabbard, to the richly etched blue and gold 33 inch blade. Nicely etched into one panel on the blade is “Honour and My Country.” Blade is wide at the tip as seen on War of 1812 era sabers. A top of the line American eagle head sword fast approaching 200 years of age. A dandy
… $2,950.00 SOLD

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14-12-89 … Superb Tagged Confederate Tin Drum Canteen w/ strap Donated to a Warsaw, Indiana, G.A.R. Post by the Son of Lt. Hiram F. Berst, 6th Iowa Cavalry, as a Memento of his Father …
Superb Confederate tin drum style canteen measuring a fine large eight inches in diameter with tall tin spout, three strap brackets, and an original carrying strap improvised from saddle blanket roll strap, broken now but still retaining its buckle. Wonderful GAR Post label glued on one side bears a period ink inscription on the right hand side reading Donated to / Henry Chipman [Post] / by / Fred C. Ber[st] / as a memento of [my or his] / father / Hiram F. Ber[st] / May 11/87 The Henry Chipman Post was formed in 1886 by a breakaway group from the first GAR post in Warsaw, the Kosciusko Post, and the two remained separate until 1916. The label, in fact, is a piece of stationery from the earlier post: the name Kosciusko is visible on a cartouche on the US flag printed on the document, and a set of General Orders is also printed thereon and dated 1882, the year that post was founded. The orders are signed N.C. Welch, who is Nate C. Welch, that post s first commander. The flag, and orders are deeply faded and stained but can be seen.

Our History Detective (The historian Steve Rogers of Ithaca NY), can kick sand in the faces of those TV amateurs. He researched exhaustively and conclusively established the names of all the people mentioned on the tag. Hiram F. Berst (the man whose memory is being honored by the presentation of the canteen) lived in Kosciusko County, Iowa both before the war (he s in their 1860 census) and after the war (he s in their 1879 list of veterans). He had a son Frederick C., born in 1858 (the donor of the canteen in 1887). The elder Berst was in Marion, Iowa, when he enlisted at age 33 as a Second Lieutenant in Co. K 6th Iowa Cavalry. His commission dates to the same day and he served with the regiment until muster out 10/17/65 at Sioux City. The regiment served on the frontier fighting the Sioux. His company at one point garrisoned Fort Randall, Dakota Territory, and he mentioned as a Post Quartermaster at Fort Buford. The story on the tag suggests that the canteen was originally captured by Dan Chapin of the 12th and 138th Indiana. It further seems to contain a private joke about being captured and recaptured by GAR comrades in the twenty years since the war. Noting that there were two GAR posts involved in the ownership of this relic, therein likely lies the story of the recapture joke . The precise wartime and postwar history of the canteen hinges on a missing word in the inscription on the upper left side of the label. The bottom inscription is clear: Recaptured [J]une (?) 17 1883 /E.M. Chaplin/Q.M. Post 114 G.A.R. Post 114 was the Kosciusko Post, and Chaplin was one of the founding members, having served in the 7th Indiana Cavalry for two years and mustering out as a corporal. The canteen obviously made its way into his hands after being lost earlier.

The key is the missing word of the upper part of the inscription, which reads: by / Dan Hamlin /at Elkhart Reunion /1882. If Hamlin, who served in the 12th and the 138th Indiana Infantry, captured the canteen at the Elkhart reunion, then it might have belonged to Berst, whose son later donated it to the other post after Chaplin retrieved it. If, on the other hand, the canteen was lost by Hamlin (and later recovered by Chaplin in either case), then it may have belonged to Hamlin in the first place and simply made its way into Berst s hands over the years through Chaplin. Berst was active in raising funds for the reunion of another county regiment in 1886, so he seems to have been an active GAR man in general. In any case, when the Kosciusko Post split in 1886, Chaplin defected, to become the first commander of the Chipman Post, and it seems Berst went with him, since his son later gave the canteen to that post. In any case, if the canteen was brought back by Hamlin the Hoosier, he could have obtained it during his service as a private with the 12th Indiana from 5/7/61 to 5/19/62, or in the 138th as Captain from 5/18/64 to 9/30/64. The latter regiment served for a hundred days doing railroad guard duty in the Nashville area, keeping Sherman s lines of communication open. The former regiment was a one-year outfit that served in Banks Army of the Shenandoah, doing picket and outpost duty by companies, with frequent skirmishes, in the area of Williamstown and Winchester, Va.

Whichever soldier brought it back, it is a very cool 100% Reb canteen with a great looking G.A.R. display label and interesting story. I bought this canteen several years ago from a Detroit picker . I kept it intending to solve the puzzle on the label. But until I asked Steve Rogers to help I was in the dark. Much more data can certainly be found. One of the most intriguing CS canteens I have owned
… $2,250.00

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14-12-90 … Ohio Civil War Album:
Signed cdv Gov. Brough & Soldier of the 51st O.V.I. … Nicely preserved photo album, bound in leather with gilt brass clasps and binding edge to imitate a book on a shelf, gilt blind stamped Photographs on the spine. Ten gilt edged leaves, with a typical nineteenth century mixture of family photos mixed with images of the famous along with generic scenes. President Lincoln is represented in a CDV engraving, as are George and Martha Washington. Tom Thumb with wife and baby are present, and there is a generic engraving of an old coot tormenting a child by dangling a watch in front of him.

The meat of the album is a signed cdv of Ohio Governor John Brough, an Ohio pro-Union and anti-slavery war-democrat who defeated the troublesome copperhead Clement Vallandingham in 1863 and served from January 1864 until his death in office in August, 1865. His election was taken by many as a confirmation of Lincoln s war policies and a preservation of the Union by keeping Vallandingham out of office and Ohio in the war.

In addition to Brough, there is a signed CDV of Charles R. Leslie, opposite a tintype of a child who bears a resemblance to him. Leslie is shown in a vignette bust view with military jacket or frock coat unbuttoned to show a vest underneath. Leslie enlisted as private in Co. A 51st Ohio on 9/7/61, at age 26, and mustered in 9/17/61. He served the entire war, being mustered out for disability only on 6/5/65. The 51st saw a lot of action in the Army of the Ohio and Army of the Cumberland, mainly in the 14th, 21st and 4th Army Corps. They lost 4 officers and 108 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded during their service, fighting at Stones River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Kennesaw, and Nashville, among other places … 1ycjjot
… $495.00

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14-12-91 … Rare half Plate Tintype of a Union Cavalryman in a Scarce Thermoplastic Wall Mount Frame with Drawn Revolver Carelessly Pointed right at us …
Half plates are a rare and highly desirable size. It is the largest size tintype that retains the clarity of the smaller sizes. Our man looks pretty serious and is posed seated next to a table with a typical Victorian patterned table cover. He wears a low collared mounted jacket trimmed per regulation but with a single button and single strand of piping at his collar, as opposed to the two buttons and two strands we normally see. Interestingly he sports several officer s accoutrements. He has an officer s belt rig (worn upside down, to get the strap position right for the reversed image of the tintype), Also, the sword is an 1850 foot officer s example hooked to the sword slings with commercial snap hooks. Despite all that fancy stuff, he seems rather at home dangling a 51 Colt Navy across the table toward the cameraman and the viewer. We prize photos showing men with their arms, few of them display their weapons of war so openly to the camera. A very nice presentation given the format and wall mount frame, and even more desirable in the rare half plate size. Overall VG condition with good clarity and contrast and some light age toning
… $595.00

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14-12-92 … Special Aide to Lincoln / African American Related / Signed CDV of Colonel Le Grand Bouton Cannon, Aide-de-Camp to General Wool, influential in the Union Defense Committee in 1861,
the sheltering of escaped slaves at Fortress Monroe, the enlisting of black troops in the army, and internal army politics. Crisp vignetted bust view of a field-grade officer with flashy sideburns! Cannon was from New York and had served as a volunteer on General Wool’s staff before the Civil War. When most of Wool’s staff resigned and went south, Cannon and a few other prominent New Yorkers joined his staff as volunteers, Cannon acting a volunteer ADC to Wool from April 23 to August 28, 1861. During this period he took an active part in the Union Defense Committee of New York in corresponding with and aiding various northern governors, like the Governor of Illinois, who were trying to obtain arms, etc., and organize without adequate leadership from Washington.
Cannon was officially appointed Major and AADC on Wool’s staff August 28; and Colonel on Feb. 1, 1862. He accompanied Wool to Fortress Monroe, Virginia, which they preserved for the Union. Cannon was involved in formulating the “contraband” policy about escaped slaves who had sought protection at Fortress Monroe and was intimately involved in some of the army’s political infighting. His reminiscences published after the war include a number of first hand accounts of the Monitor and the Merrimac, time spent as a special aide to Lincoln, and experiences with Secretary Stanton, etc. Cannon resigned June 11, 1862, but rejoined Wool’s staff as a volunteer for a time thereafter, until Wool’s retirement in 1863. Cannon’s accounts are a real insider’s view of the doings at various army headquarters. He had been offered the military command of Norfolk, before resigning.
The card is presented to Lt. Col. Whipple, who is probably William Dennison Whipple, West Point class of 1847, who served until 1890, was both ADC and AAG at different points in his career, served on Gen. Hunter’s staff, the staff of General Thomas, and after the war as ADC to Sherman from 1873 to 1878: “Lt. Col. Whipple USA / Asst Adjt Genl / With regards / Le GB Cannon Col / USA & ADC.” Their staff duties had probably brought them into connection at some point, though Whipple was a New Yorker like Cannon.
A significant subject involved in some important early war doings
… $135.00

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14-12-93 … General William F. Smith—He spoke his mind!
Wonderful half-length seated view of the outspoken general in his major-general’s frock coat. Couple minor abrasions to card edge, otherwise excellent. “Baldy Smith” was West Point class of 1845, an officer of engineers until the Civil War, and Colonel of the 3rd Vermont in 1861 serving on the staff of General McDowell at Bull Run. He became a Brigadier General of Volunteers in 1861 and led a division of the 6th Corps on the Peninsula and the Maryland Campaign, and commanded the corps at Fredericksburg. Critical of Burnside and a supporter of McClellan, he was shunted aside in 1863 and sent west, where he ended up feuding with Rosecrans but earning some praise from Grant, and made Major General in 1864. Brought east to command the 18th Corps under Butler, he criticized both Butler and eventually Meade. Accusations that he could have acted more aggressively at Petersburg led to his removal from command in July, 1864. He left the army in 1867, turning to civil engineering and acting as president of a telegraph company and the NY Board of Police Commissioners until his death in 1903. My favorite quote of his was his judgment on Butler: “as helpless as a child on the field of battle and as visionary as an opium eater in council.” He cerrtainly knew how to craft a criticism
… $89.00

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14-12-94 … Likely 50th Mass. Soldier Carved – Rifled and Sighted Springfield 1842 Pattern Musket and Bayonet …
A very nice example of one the last smooth bore muskets made and likely one of the first to be rifled. When the 1855 series of arms introduced rifling for all shoulder arms, there was a rush to retrofit older smooth bores. Cone-in-barrel percussion conversions could not withstand the higher pressures caused by the new minie rounds until the breeches were changed, but the 1842 pattern smooth bore muskets could handle the new ammunition and moved to the head of the line for rifling at the arsenals, some being given the 1855 pattern long range rear sight as well. Ours is a very nice example of the rifled and sighted ’42. Overall the metal shows armory bright, as is correct, the lock plate having clear Springfield 1853 marks at rear and the Springfield eagle/US forward. Lock plate and hammer are smooth with smokey gray over silver. The barrel is generally a tad lighter silver/gray with an overlay of that powdery dark gray tiny dimpling from exposure and use, but with clear V/P/eagle proofs and clear 1854 date on the breechplug tang. The mismatched dates are TOTALLY CORRECT on a “rifled and sighted” model 1842. The guns were disassembled and the parts sorted without regard to which gun they came off of. The barrels were rifled, some were given long range sights as this one has, all steel parts were refurbished, and then the muskets were reassembled without regard to whether the dates matched. What makes this musket so interesting are the added markings put on by the soldier. Four small circles have been stamped around a central oval just forward of the bolster on the top of their barrel. This may be a rough representation of a Catholic symbol based on Jesus in a central circle surrounded by four other circles containing crosses and two human figures in each. Further evidence of religious symbolism is a clearly carved Christian cross on the left side flat, This cross has a Celtic flavor with half a circle incised above the cross arms. The traditional Celtic cross bears a complete circle, but this seems very close. The initials GS and GHS next to a 50 M.. have been deeply carved on the underside near the triggerguard, another G to rear of the lock. Research was as follows… 50 M assumed to represent the unit designation… There are only two states beginning with the letter “M” that also have 50 regiments of infantry. These are Massachusetts and Missouri. Each state has one soldier bearing the initials GHS in their 50th Regiments. The least likely in my opinion is George H Shephard who enlisted 9/15/1864 and has no record of date of discharge. The more likely owner in my opinion is George H. Spofford a 28 year old shoe cutter from Georgetown, Mass. He enlisted in the 50th Mass 9/19/62 and served his entire term of service until 8/24/63 when the entire regiment was mustered out of service. He then rejoined the 17th Unattached Company of infantry and served again from late 1864 through June of 1865. I believe the Catholic and Celtic symbols on the gun are more likely done by someone from the densely Catholic state of Massachusetts… though Missouri did have 4,362 Catholics residing there when the Civil War broke out according www.theCatholicthing.org.

The 50th Mass. has a decent history. The 50th left for New York, Nov. 19, 1862 arriving the following day, and being almost immediately ordered thence to Camp Banks, Long Island, the rendezvous of the Banks expedition to Louisiana. The regiment was conveyed from Fort Monroe to Louisiana in fragments. At Baton Rouge the regiment was assigned to Dudley’s (3d) Brigade, Augur’s (1st) Division, l9th Corps, and before the arrival of the last three companies it had, on March 14, taken part in the demonstration against Port Hudson, made in cooperation with Farragut’s fleet, two vessels of which, the HARTFORD and the ALBATROSS, succeeded in passing the Port Hudson batteries and securing a position on the river above the city. From this time until March 26, the regiment was at Winter’s plantation on the west bank of the Mississippi about three miles below Port Hudson. On the latter date it returned to Baton Rouge. On May 12 the regiment proceeded to White’s Bayou about ten miles southeast from Port Hudson where it remained until the 26th when it moved up to the works in front of the city. It took part in the assault on Port Hudson, May 27, its losses, however, being slight. It did not participate in the second assault, June 14, but was engaged in supporting batteries and in trench duty until the surrender of the city, July 9. From this time on for about twenty days it was in Port Hudson doing guard duty. On July 29 it boarded the steamer OMAHA bound for Cairo, Ill., en route for home. At Helena, Ark., the boat grounded on a sand bar, and the regiment was transferred to the steamer L. M. KENNETT, reaching Cairo, Aug.5. Here it entrained for Massachusetts, reaching Boston, Aug. 11. After a collation at Beach Street Barracks the regiment was marched to the Common and there dismissed, to reassemble at Wenham Mass., August 24.where it was formally mustered out of the United States service.Overall VG condition. Nipple is in good shape, some signs of use, but not battered. 1855 pattern long range rear sight with ladder is in place. Wood has a pleasing dark, uniform tone, and pretty sharp edges around the lock and sideplate, but the gun did see action: some minor dings overall and one small chip at the rear point of the lockplate. All bands, swivels and springs are in place, as is the front sight and bayonet stud. Rod is the correct rod for a 42, and is the first pattern ’42 rod. We also have the correct bayonet: good US marking, functional locking ring, etc. A scarce gun in its own right and even better with the tangible carving which reveals the history
… $1,695.00 SOLD

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14-12-95 … A lot of TEN Original Indian War Large Size Eagle Coat Buttons.
A few years ago at an eastern Pennsylvania auction I bought a couple large bags full of these early Indian Fighters buttons and then I put them aside and forgot about them. I just stumbled across them again …. So here is a great opportunity…. ten original buttons for $25.00 These can be mailed inexpensively in a padded envelope.
… $25.00 for 10

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14-12-96 … Friction Primer Tin [Tin not for sale] and Percussion Caps …
I just purchased this neat old relic and am offering the percussion caps inside the tin in this offering. This very scarce tin came just as you see it, filled with percussion caps for muskets. The tin itself is the arsenal tin used to hold artillery friction primers. These are darned hard to find! I can only think of one instance where I found one still in a primer pouch! The tin has a hinged cover with small latch and embossed top reading: 100 FRICTION PRIMERS in an arc over an ordnance insignia, and FRANKFORD ARSENAL on either side. I don t know who put the percussion caps in the tin, it was certainly a handy storage idea, but since they do not belong together, I am splitting up the lot.

In each package of ten cartridges the soldier got 12 caps. While the supply lasts I will sell the percussion caps …

One Dozen … … … $15
Two Dozen … … … $25
Five dozen … … … $50

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14-12-97 … These buttons were patented in 1862 by Abel Putnam
and made with a long spring shank and were designed to go through the grommets on issue rubber blankets so the sides could be connect ed and the whole thing worn as a poncho in rainy weather.The face is a standard Union Army eagle button. The back is a spring hook fashioned from double spring steel wire. I have very few priced each at
… $45.00

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