Arms, Armor and Militaria

Arms, Armor and Militaria

Wednesday, October 23, 2024  |  10:00 AM Eastern
Auction closed.
Arms, Armor and Militaria

Arms, Armor and Militaria

Wednesday, October 23, 2024  |  10:00 AM Eastern
Auction closed.
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Description

The upcoming October 23rd Arms, Armor & Militaria sale features items from well-known collections and includes groupings of historical and military arms and some wonderful sporting arms to catch a variety of collecting interests. Of particular note are a fine group of Harpers Ferry Rifles from the collection of John Vagnetti, the third and final installment of the George Oldenbourg collection of presentation Civil War swords, a select grouping of historical firearms from noted arms historian and author Charles Worman, and a published Griffin & Howe Customized Winchester Model 54 Rifle gifted to Townsend Whelen with his handwritten note sheets and test targets. Some of the features of the historical arms portion of the sale are a group of St. Louis made and retailed guns from period of western expansion, including a rare J&S Hawken Percussion Sporting Rifle and an Extremely Rare G.V. Brecht St. Louis Air Gun. Early American military items include a United States Branded American Rebuilt French Model 1774 Musket from the American Revolution, as well as some Revolutionary War period... Show more

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Pg : 4 of 11

Percussion Target Rifle by Morgan James of Utica, NY

Lot # 76 (Sale Order: 76 of 262)      

Percussion Target Rifle by Morgan James of Utica, NY
.40 caliber. 30" octagonal barrel turned for a bullet starter at the muzzle. NSN. Browned finish, one-third length metal forend, brass furniture, hardwood stock with crescent butt. Single shot muzzleloading percussion target rifle. Unmarked back action percussion lock, left angled flat of breech marked M. JAMES/UTICA, N.Y. Barrel measures 1" across the flats at the muzzle. Rifle is equipped with a dovetailed notch rear sight, dovetailed blade front sight, tang with hole for peep sight that is not present. Brass furniture includes a finger rest scroll triggerguard, crescent buttplate and plain toe plate. An old wooden ramrod is secured by two plain iron thimbles.

Morgan James (1815-1878) was one of the most talented and celebrated gun makers in New York state during mid-19th century. It is believed that he learned the gun trade from Utica gunmaker Riley Rogers and upon the completion of his apprenticeship relocated to Lictchfield, CT where he worked circa 1836-1840. He then returned to Utica and set up his shop at 11 Bleeker Street. He worked in partnership with George Ferris during the early 1850s and in addition to making some of the highest quality and accurate target rifles of the time, he was also involved with the design, application and use of early telescopic sights. It is believed that Morgan James' "legendary" temper put an end to this partnership. James was apparently also a chronic alcoholic, which led to financial issues. Circa 1870 James relocated to Ilion, NY where he went to work for Remington until his death in 1878.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Good. Bore very good, mostly bright with some oxidation and fine 6-groove gain-twist style rifling with the lands about twice the width of the grooves. Barrel with some minute traces of old brown in the nooks and crannies and showing scattered surface oxidation and discoloration, along with some lightly scattered pitting. Markings remain clear. Lock needs mechanical attention and will not hold cock. Wood with repairs between the tang and the lock. Otherwise the stock shows scattered bumps, dings and mars....more

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High Quality Composite Re-Conversion of a U.S. Model 1828 (1816 Type III) Flintlock Musket

Lot # 77 (Sale Order: 77 of 262)      

High Quality Composite Re-Conversion of a U.S. Model 1828 (1816 Type III) Flintlock Musket
Mexican American War
.69 caliber. 42" round barrel secured by three flat, spring-retained bands. NSN. Bright finish, iron furniture, walnut stock. Single shot smoothbore muzzleloading flintlock musket. Lock marked with a {Spread-Winged Eagle}/US forward of the cock, and marked in three vertical lines at the tail HARPERS/FERRY/1836. Reconverted flint lock using mostly original parts well fit to the lock, including an original pan and cock. Barrel with contractor style inspection marks of US/NWP/P and dated 1835 on the tang. Barrel flat with JM inspection. Based on the barrel date and known inspection assignments for Nahum W Patch and Justin Murphy in 1835, the barrel likely originated on a Whitney contract US Model 1828 (1816 Type III) Musket. Counterpane with two fine script cartouches reading ET and TW for Springfield Arsenal sub-inspectors Elisha Tobey and Thomas Warner, with a final script inspection cartouche of a scrip AH behind the triggerguard, the mark of Springfield Master Armorer Asahel Hubbard. These marks indicate that the stock originated on a Springfield Arsenal made musket. The percussion conversion mating code 18 is stamped between the breech plug tang and the cock, indicating that the stock was part of a gun altered to percussion at the Washington Arsenal circa 1850-1851. Retains both sling swivels, brass front sight blade and a full-length correct pattern button head ramrod with good threads on the end. Although a composite piece and realtered to flint, the gun is very attractive and the work is very well done, allowing the gun to display like an original flint musket worth two to three times the estimate on this gun.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Very good as restored with a Harpers Ferry lock, Springfield stock and likely Whitney barrel. Fine bright smooth bore. Lock reconverted to flint with mostly original parts. Metal lightly cleaned to bright with scattered surface oxidation and discoloration. Markings remain clear and crisp throughout. Lock is mechanically functional. Stock fine with sharp lines and edges and scattered bumps, dings and mars. A couple of small chips of wood are missing at the toe. Toe of buttplate with white ink or paint "A12" collector number....more

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Half-Stock Percussion Rifle Retailer Marked by J.H. Mann of Syracuse, NY

Lot # 78 (Sale Order: 78 of 262)      

Half-Stock Percussion Rifle Retailer Marked by J.H. Mann of Syracuse, NY
.40 caliber. 31" wedge-retained octagonal barrel. SN: 46. Browed finish, brass furniture, pewter nose cap, hardwood half-stock with German silver wedge escutcheon. Single shot percussion muzzleloading rifle. Commercial percussion lock marked GOULCHER, top flat of barrel marked J.H. MANN/SYRACUSE, N.Y./46 Barrel measures 1" across the flats at the muzzle. Rifle equipped with a dovetailed notch rear sight, a dovetailed German silver Rocky Mountain blade front sight, a brass finger rest scroll triggerguard and crescent buttplate. A wooden ramrod is secured by two plain iron thimbles.

John Henry Mann (1825-1892) was born in England and emigrated to America where he established himself as a wholesale and retail grocer in Syracuse, NY. Mann also dealt in dry goods, fishing tackle and other sporting items, including firearms. Mann is probably most famous for inventing and patenting an "Improved Trolling Spoon" fishing lure and was well known during the period for producing high quality fishing tackle.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Very good. Bore good, heavily oxidized with what appears to be weak 5-groove rifling. Barrel with a mixture of old brown and oxidized brown patina. Metal with scattered surface oxidation, and some lightly scattered pitting, with more moderate pitting at the breech and bolster area. Markings remain clear. Mechanically functional lock. Wood crisp with scattered bumps, dings, mars and scuffs....more

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New York Half-Stock Percussion Rifle by Jeremiah Voorhees

Lot # 79 (Sale Order: 79 of 262)      

New York Half-Stock Percussion Rifle by Jeremiah Voorhees
.40 caliber. 27.75" wedge-retained octagonal barrel. NSN. No finish, brass furniture, pewter nose cap, hardwood stock with crescent buttplate. Single shot percussion muzzleloading rifle. Unmarked single-screw commercial percussion lock is lightly engraved, drum bolster in barrel. Top of breech with the weak initials JV stamped. Rifle equipped with a dovetailed notch rear sight, small brass blade front sight, brass scroll shaped triggerguard and buttplate. A replacement wooden ramrod is secured by two plain thimbles.

Jeremiah Voorhees (1810-1878) worked as a gunsmith and gunmaker in Avoca (Steuben County), NY circa 1848-1852 and in Wellsville, NY 1852-1874.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Good. Bore moderately oxidized with decent six groove rifling with the lands about twice as wide as the grooves. Metal moderately oxidized with a mottled brown over gray patina and some scattered pitting, mostly around the breech area. Mechanically functional lock. Stock with expected wear, showing scattered bumps, dings and mars and some minor loss around the rear edge of the mortise....more

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Silver Mounted Full Stock Kentucky Long Rifle Signed "W*L" (William Laudenslager of Snyder County, P

Lot # 80 (Sale Order: 80 of 262)      

Silver Mounted Full Stock Kentucky Long Rifle Signed "W*L" (William Laudenslager of Snyder County, PA)
Mid-19th Century
.44 caliber. 36" octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Browned metal finish. Curled maple full stock has a straight wrist and Roman curve butt with carved cheek rest. Percussion rifle most likely converted from Flintlock, with notch and blade sights. Item features 7-groove rifling, double set triggers, brass patchbox, and toe release with a strong iron spring. Patchbox has a B-finial, is pierced eight times, and has what appears to be an ivory push button release on toe. Patchbox is also engraved with simple incised lines, cross hatching, and what appears to be an eagle on patchbox cover. Stock has faceted brass hardware including ramrod thimbles, triggerguard, and buttplate, as well as a rounded brass forend cap. Stock is also fitted with many silver and brass escutcheons including a brass grip plate to bottom of forearm, eight silver crescent moons to forearm (four on each side), eight silver heart/tear drops around wrist and butt, a silver scroll/neoclassical motif below cheek rest, and an eye shaped silver escutcheon with compass star engraving on face of cheek rest. Barrel is marked W*L and there is intertwined wriggle work engravings around both rear and front sights. Lockplate is marked Henry James/Warranted and is engraved with scrollwork and what appears to be a turkey.

This rifle was most likely made by Union/Snyder County PA gunsmith William Laudenslager. According to several sources, Laudenslager rifles typically have similar features to this rifle including an eagle patchbox engraving, barrel signed with "W*L" initials and star, wriggle work engravings, and a two piece ramrod throat thimble held together with an iron rivet.

According to a family biography by the AmericanLongRifle.org, Laudenslager was born Wilhelm "William" Laudenslager on January 25, 1819 in Union/Snyder County PA. He came from a family of gunsmiths and is said to have been taught by his uncle Samuel H. St. Clair of Kratzerville, New Berlin PA area. His older brother Samuel J. Laudenslager was a more prolific gunsmith, and is known to have signed his rifles "S*L". Tax records show that William worked as a gunsmith from about 1842-1855 in Snyder County. He later moved to Seneca County Ohio around 1860, and again in 1870 to Wynadot County Ohio where he continued work as a gunsmith but only doing basic repairs. Laudenslager remained in Wynadot County OH and died October 25, 1882.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Good to very good. Bore is frosty, slightly dark with pitting to rifling. Finish has a mottled grey/brown/plum appearance due to finish losses, patination, scattered pitting/scratching. Wood stock has scattered scratches and mars. There is hairline cracking around wrist that appears to have had old repair work. Patchbox cover shows some sprinkled pit marks and minor dents. Some of brass fittings show light sprinkled pit marks/oxidation. Action will need work, hammer holds at half cock position but does not hold at full cock. Stock appears to be missing several nails along forearm....more

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Contemporary Flintlock Rifle Built by Doug Filbrandt

Lot # 81 (Sale Order: 81 of 262)      

Contemporary Flintlock Rifle Built by Doug Filbrandt
Doug Filbrandt (American, 1942-2002)
.54 caliber. 41.5" octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Browned parkerized metal finish. Walnut stock has moulded carvings and incised lines to grip and butt, there are also incised lines to forearm, and a carved cheekpiece with ebony plate. Flintlock rifle with notch and blade sights. Item features an L&R Lock, Getz barrel, countersunk bore to permit loading without starters, single trigger, and patchbox with walnut and ebony cover. Item is unmarked, but consignor noted that they received the item from Filbrandt.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Very good. Bore is bright. Finish shows some scattered light scratches and light finish losses to sharp edges. Wood stock is in good condition, with few scattered light scratches or mars. Action is functional....more

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Restored Henry Deringer Percussion Pocket Pistol

Lot # 82 (Sale Order: 82 of 262)      

Restored Henry Deringer Percussion Pocket Pistol
.38 caliber. 3" barrel. NSN. Browned and color casehardened finish, German silver mountings, checkered bird's head walnut stock. Single shot percussion muzzleloading pocket pistol with rifled bore, fixed notch rear sight and dovetailed German silver blade front sight. Back action percussion lock lightly engraved with foliate themes and marked DERINGER/PHILADELA in two lines. Breech marked in the same way and with a pair of German silver bands. Left of breech with Deringer's "Sunburst P" proof mark. German silver furniture including triggerguard with pineapple finial. Furniture lightly engraved and decorated in typical Deringer style. Pistol has been nicely restored with the lock, hammer and breech recolored and the barrel rebrowned. An attractive and affordable Henry Deringer pocket pistol, one of the most famous handguns of the mid-19th century and one that certainly has an infamous reputation.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Very good as refinished. Bore good, moderately oxidized and with strong rifling. Metal refinished with some light pitting under the finish and some scattered oxidation. Action mechanically functional. Wood refinished with a repaired crack along the upper edge of the stock from the bolster to the tip and with an applied coast of varnish. Checkering still fairly crisp on grip....more

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Cased Pair of Carbine Bore Percussion Pistols by Rigby

Lot # 83 (Sale Order: 83 of 262)      

Cased Pair of Carbine Bore Percussion Pistols by Rigby
.67 caliber. 7.5" wedge retained octagonal barrels with hook breeches. NSN. Browned Damascus patterned barrels, color casehardened locks, hammers and breeches, blued and bright steel furniture, German silver wedge escutcheons and thumb pieces, checkered walnut grips with full-length stocks. Single shot smoothbore muzzleloading percussion pistols with captive swivel ramrods. Back action percussion locks marked RIGBY, barrels unmarked externally but with London gunmaker's proofs under them. Locks, hammers, breech pieces and triggerguards with light foliate scroll engraving. Steel belt hooks on reverse secured by the lock mounting screws. No rear sights, steel post front sights. The pistols are contained in a well worn period casing with an green baize lining and accessories that include a reblued iron single cavity round ball scissor mold marked 18 with a nominally .65 caliber cavity, an incorrect brass flask, a nice rosewood handled loading rod with removable brass tip that reveals a ball puller, a screwdriver tool that does not fit any of the screws, a reproduction cone wrench and some lead round balls. The sectionalized case has two lidded compartments.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Very good. Both bores crisp and smooth and showing light to moderate oxidation. Barrels with much of their thinned and dulled brown on the surfaces, showing more bright brown underneath. Case coloring mostly present but fading and dulling. Triggerguards with much of their blue. Both locks remain functional, although the hammer spur is broken off one hammer. The spur is present in the case and could potentially be repaired by a talented gunsmith. Stocks very good with much of their finish intact and nice checkering. The wood shows scattered bumps, dings and mars and one gun shows some minor loss under the bolster and along the upper edge of the stock about half way down the barrel on the reverse. The case is in fair condition at best, is well worn, with wear all the way through the lid, damage to almost all of the dividers, which are mostly loose or broken and a number of ill attempted repairs to the lining. Accessories mostly good, mold reblued....more

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Windmann Style Eagle Head Officers Sword with Silvered Rococo Style Guard

Lot # 84 (Sale Order: 84 of 262)      

Windmann Style Eagle Head Officers Sword with Silvered Rococo Style Guard
Seminole Wars
33" curved, single-edged blade, 1.375" wide at ricasso, with a 25" stopped fuller. Overall length 38.25" with a 5" hilt with a reeded bone grip and eagle head pommel. Silvered brass Rococo style knuckle bow decorated with floral themes, 1" langets with floral themes, forward swept floral themed disc quillon on upper guard. 12" of blade blued and decorated with gilt highlighted martial and floral motifs. Accompanied by the leather scabbard with silvered brass mounts. Suspension rings on upper and middle mount, drag is a replacement. A lovely example of a Philadelphia style Eagle Head officer's sword that likely dates from from the second quarter of the 19th century.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Fine. Blade with much of the blue and gold intact with some finish thinning and loss due to wear and age. Blade toning towards pewter with scattered surface oxidation and age discoloration. Blade fairly crisp with a couple of minor dings along the cutting edge. Hilt with traces of silver in protected areas. Hilt, grip and blade junction solid without wobble. Scabbard good to very good with moderate wear, flaking and finish loss. The throat is loose and need to be secured, and with some chipped loss at the lip. There is a repair below the middle mount with tape that should be conserved and the drag is replaced. Sword does not fully seat in scabbard, leaving about 1" of the blade exposed when inserted....more

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Horstmann Model 1850 Foot Officers Sword Presented to Lt. Harry M Hyde by his "Friends in the Atlant

Lot # 85 (Sale Order: 85 of 262)      

Horstmann Model 1850 Foot Officers Sword Presented to Lt. Harry M Hyde by his "Friends in the Atlantic Mutl Ins Co"
29.75" single-edged spear point blade, 1.125" wide at ricasso with a 20.5" stopped primary fuller and a 14" long narrow secondary fuller at the spine. 35.75" in overall length. 5.75" hilt with gilt brass foot officer's pattern foliate guard with knuckle bow, grooved wood grip covered in shagreen and with 15 wraps of twisted wire. Reverse ricasso stamped HORSTMANN/& SONS with the obverse ricasso stamped PHILADELPHIA. Blade etched with typical foliate and martial motifs. The sword is accompanied by its gilt brass mounted shark skin covered wood scabbard. The obverse of the upper mount is engraved with the presentation: Lieut. Harry M Hyde/U.S.A./From his Friends in/THE ATLANTIC MUTL INs Co/November 30, 1861.

Henry Martyn Hyde, apparently called "Harry" by his friends was a 27 year old insurance salesman from Brooklyn, NY when he enlisted in the 14th New York State Militia (14th Brooklyn) on April 18, 1861, only days after the outbreak of the American Civil War. In December the regiment would be redesignated as the 84th New York Infantry. Hyde was officially mustered into Company C of the regiment on May 23, 1861, and was at some point over the next couple of months promoted to corporal. Hyde was discharged on November 12, 1861 due to his transfer to the 5th US Cavalry and promotion to 2nd Lieutenant. The inscription no doubt is in reference to Hyde's new rank and the "U.S.A." likely indicated his transfer from a volunteer regiment to the Regular Army. Interestingly Hyde was dropped from the rolls of the 5th US Cavalry on December 12, 1861. No reason is given, so it may have been due to health issues. Hyde appears to disappear from the public record prior to the 1870 Census, although in the 1860 Census is his noted to be a 29 year old male insurance salesman with a personal estate valued at $1,000. While a Henry Martyn Hyde also served as the Assistant Paymaster of the US Navy during this period and died in 1864 of disease, the birth years do not appear to quite line up, so they may or may not be the same person, although the two men with the same name and odd spelling of the middle name "Martyn" could well be one in the same. Hyde is certainly worthy of some additional research.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Good. Blade lightly cleaned with a dull pewter patina, with the etching somewhat light. Metal with scattered oxidation and age discoloration. Guard with traces of gilt. Grip covering with some light wear and minor loss, wire wrap intact, throat washer missing. Blade, hilt and grip all secure without wobble. Scabbard about good with some wear and a nominally 5" split along the upper edge that appears to go through both the shark skin and the wood. Mounts with minute traces of gilt....more

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US Model 1840 Medical Staff Sword

Lot # 86 (Sale Order: 86 of 262)      

US Model 1840 Medical Staff Sword
American Civil War
30" straight, unfullered spear point blade, .8" wide at ricasso and with an overall length of 35". 5" gilt chased cast brass hilt with acorn finial and 4" cross guard. Hilt cast with flowing foliate themes and an American Eagle. 1.25" shield shaped langets with the obverse marked with the silvered letters MS and six stars. Blade acid etched with flowing foliate themes, as well as patriotic and martial images with a US on the reverse and a Spread-Winged Eagle on the obverse with E Pluribus Unum in a ribbon. No maker's mark is visible on the ricasso. The sword is accompanied by its sheet brass scabbard with gilt chased brass mounts.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Very good. Blade with some dulling and scattered oxidation, some minor wear and loss to the etching and some areas of darker discoloration. Hilt crisp with some nice gilt finish remaining. Scabbard with wear, dings and dents and some traces of gilt on the mounts....more

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US Model 1852 Naval Officers Sword Presented to Medal of Honor Recipient Edwin Smith

Lot # 87 (Sale Order: 87 of 262)      

US Model 1852 Naval Officers Sword Presented to Medal of Honor Recipient Edwin Smith
American Civil War
28" slightly curved single-edged spear point blade, 34" in overall length. 1.125" wide at ricasso with an 18.5" stopped median fuller and a 12.5" narrow fuller along the spine. 6" brass hilt with pierced guard having USN relief cast in the face and showing traditional oak leaf motifs. Guard with sea-serpent quillon and pommel cap with a droop-winged eagle surrounded by 13 stars. Grooved wood hilt wrapped in shagreen with eleven wraps of twisted brass wire. Blade etched with traditional foliate, nautical and martial themes and in three lines on the reverse ricasso TOMES, SON / & MELVAIN / NEW YORK. Brass mounted leather scabbard with engraved mounts showing traditional nautical motifs. Upper mount engraved USN on the face and in seven lines on the reverse: Presented to / Edwin Smith MM / for Gallantry. / by his friends / of Jamaica L.T. / Franklin, VA / Washington, NC.
Edwin Smith was born in New York, NY 1841 and enlisted in the US Navy as an Ordinary Seaman at some point prior to October of 1862. He was serving aboard the USS Whitehead during operations against Franklin, VA near Washington, NC when the Whitehead ran aground in the Blackwater River and found itself in grave danger. Realizing that the launching of a small boat under enemy fire to try to pull the ship free was too dangerous to consider, Smith volunteered to swim to shore with a line to pull the ship free. Smith was mentioned in dispatches for his gallantry and was subsequently awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor by the Secretary of the Navy. The Medal of Honor citation reads: "On board the U.S.S. Whitehead in the attack upon Franklin, VA., 3 October 1862. When the ship became grounded in a narrow passage as she rounded the bend in the Blackwater River, Smith, realizing the hazards of lowering a boat voluntarily swam to shore with a line under the enemy's heavy fire. His fearless action enabled his ship to maintain steady fire and keep the enemy in check during the battle." Later that month Smith was promoted to Masters Mate. That appointment was subsequently rescinded in March of 1865 due to illness and he was dishonorably discharged in April of 1867.
The sword is accompanied by a large binder or research regarding Smith and the action, with copies of period documents, correspondence with the National Archives and the US Navy and the results of the inquiries into Smith's service.
From the Collection of George Oldenbourg
CONDITION: Very good. Blade with a mostly dull pewter patina and showing scattered surface oxidation and discoloration. Etching remains mostly intact and clearly visible with some minor wear and loss. Hilt with a rich, dark patina. Grip with moderate wear to the covering with some areas of loss and wear exposing the wood below. There is also some loss to the wire wrap with some missing strands. Leather throat washer in place and intact. Scabbard good to very good with moderate wear and crazing to the leather and some flaked finish loss. Brass mounts with a rich, dark copper patina over most of their surfaces, except the rear of the throat which has been cleaned to make the engraving easier to read. The middle mount has shifted upwards about .25" to .5" from its original location and the drag is missing the set screw. Both suspension rings remain intact....more

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Klingenthal Model 1840/60 Cavalry Officers Saber Inscribed to Major (Col) Daniel Chaplin 2nd Maine I

Lot # 88 (Sale Order: 88 of 262)      

Klingenthal Model 1840/60 Cavalry Officers Saber Inscribed to Major (Col) Daniel Chaplin 2nd Maine Infantry
American Civil War
36" curved, single-edged blade with flat spine, 28" long median fuller and a 20.5" narrow secondary fuller. Blade 1.1" wide at ricasso. Overall length 41.75". 5.625" hilt with cast brass two branch guard with knuckle bow and deeply foliate chiseled decorations. Grooved wood grip covered in shagreen and with fourteen wraps of multi-strand twisted wire. Blade with etched foliate decorations and martial motifs, with a large US on obverse of the blade. Spine with Klingenthal maker's inscription. Outer face of knuckle bow engraved with a presentation that reads: Presented to Major Chaplin 2nd Maine Reg't. by the members of Co. F. The sword is accompanied by a brass mounted blued steel scabbard with two suspension mounts with the upper mount missing the ring. This sword was featured in the February-March 2002 issue of Military Images in an article about it and Chaplain on pages 23-24. Two copies of that magazine, as well as two very large binders of research and information about Chaplain and his regiments are included as well.

Daniel Chaplin (1820-1864) was 41 years old when he enlisted in the 2nd Maine Infantry as a private on a few days after the firing on Fort Sumter. On May 28, 1861 he was commissioned the Captain of Company F, after having been elected to that position. The 2nd Maine first saw the elephant at 1st Manassas on July 21, where they suffered 47 casualties. On September 14, 1861 Chaplain was promoted to the rank of Major, which is the event commemorated by the inscription on this sword. The regiment spent the balance of the year in the defenses of Washington after the battle. In April of 1862 the regiment participated in McClellan's Peninsula Campaign followed by fighting through the Seven Days before Richmond (June 25- July 1), including Mechanicsville, Gaines' Mill, Savage Station, Malvern Cliff and Malvern Hill. The regiment then returned to Harrison's Landing. On July 11, 1862 he was promoted to the rank of Colonel and transferred to command the 18th Maine. The regiment was organized in Bangor and then moved to the defenses of Washington. On December 19, 1862 the 18th Maine was converted to a heavy artillery regiment and redesignated as the 1st Maine Heavy Artillery. The regiment spent 1863 in the region around Washington, north of the Potomac River. Chaplin's new regiment saw its first real field service in April of 1864 when it participated in the Rapidan Campaign, fighting at Harrison's Farm along Fredericksburg Road, where they suffered 481 casualties. The regiment fought at Cold Harbor and proceeded to be involved in the beginnings of the Petersburg Campaign, including the first major assault on June 18. The regiment subsequently fought at Weldon Railroad and Deep Bottom Run and at the 2nd Battle of Deep Bottom Run (Strawberry Pains) August 14-18. On August 17, 1864, Chaplin was wounded in the chest by a sharpshooter subsequently died of his wounds 4 days later in a Philadelphia hospital. He was breveted to the rank of brigadier general for his actions on August 17.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
From the Collection of George Oldenbourg
CONDITION: Good. Blade a dull pewter color with scattered oxidation and discoloration, etching with wear and loss. Edge lightly sharpened. Hilt with a rich, uncleaned bronze patina and showing wear, particularly on the knuckle bow which has left the presentation worn and not completely legible. Hilt missing the pommel cap. Grip slightly loose and exhibiting some wobble, grip wrap with wear and some loss with the wire mostly intact but some of the secondary strands missing. Throat washier intact. Scabbard with some bright blued and showing moderate oxidation. Upper suspension ring missing....more

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The French Cent Guard Hilted Heavy Cavalry Officers Saber of Capt. Arnold Rand, Capt. 1st Mass. & Co

Lot # 89 (Sale Order: 89 of 262)      

The French Cent Guard Hilted Heavy Cavalry Officers Saber of Capt. Arnold Rand, Capt. 1st Mass. & Col. 4th Mass Cavalry
American Civil War
37" straight, tapered, spear point blade with dual full-length fullers, 1.375" wide at ricasso. 43.5" in overall length with a 6.75" hilt. Gilt brass three branch semi-basket guard with knuckle bow set with German silver starburst in the guard's face with a applied spread-winged gilt brass American Eagle with olive branches in its talons and surmounted by a ribbon reading E Pluribus Unum. Grooved polished wood grip with 17 wraps of twisted wire. Spine marked in script indicating production at the Chatellerault Arsenal in August of 1856 and that the sword is the pattern of 1855. The sword is accompanied by its silver washed steel scabbard with two suspension rings which is engraved on its face between the mounts, in three lines: Arnold A Rand/Captain 1st Mass Cavalry 1862/Colonel 4th Mass Cavalry 1864.

Arnold Augustus Rand (1837-1917) was a 24 year old "gentleman" when he was commissioned as the 2nd lieutenant of Company F of the 1st Massachusetts Cavalry on December 27, 1861. He was promoted to captain on February 4, 1862 and captain and assistant adjutant general on June 3, 1863, at which point he was commissioned into the US Volunteers Adjutants General Department. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel of the 4th Massachusetts Cavalry on December 3, 1863 and officially discharged from his former position to take the field with them on January 12, 1864. On January 22, 1864 he was promoted to full colonel and command of the 4th Massachusetts Cavalry. The 1st Mass Cavalry saw their first deployment in South Carolina in January of 1862, with the 3rd battalion (companies I, K, L & M) being permanently detached to serve in North Carolina in July of that year and the balance of the regiment being moved to Fortress Monroe in August and then back to the Virginia Theater of Operations in September. The regiment was engaged at the Battles of South Mountain and Antietam, and ended the year in the Battle of Fredericksburg. 1863 saw the regiment attached to the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division of the Army of the Potomac's Cavalry Corps. The regiment was engaged at Chancellorsville and Rand left them to join the Adjutants General Department prior to their fight at Brandy Station on June 9. As Rand's new assignment had him away from the regiment, he was not with them at Aldie, Upperville or Gettysburg either, and he missed the Britoe and Mine Run Campaigns in which the regiment was engaged. The 4th Mass Cavalry was formed from the old 3rd Battalion of the 1st Mass Cavalry (companies I, K, L & M) in late December of 1863 and proceeded to Florida in February of 1864 where they fought at Olustee, before returning East operating at Fort Darling and the Bermuda Hundred before joining the Siege operations at Petersburg in June. They spent the balance of the year supporting the 10th Corps Army of the Potomac at Petersburg. Rand resigned his commission on February 3, 1865 so he missed the regiment taking part in the breakthrough and fall of Petersburg in the spring, including fighting at High Bridge and Farmville and being present for the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia on April 9 at Appomattox. After the war Rand worked as a lawyer and served as the Recorder of the Massachusetts Commandery, MOLLUS, 1881-1906, devoting much time and energy to the development of the MOLLUS Library at the Cadet Armory in Boston. He eventually become the vice president and general counsel of the John Hancock Mutual LIfe Insurance Company, a roll he filled for some 20 years. He was a member of GAR Post #114 in Dedham, MA and died on December 22, 1917 at the age of 80.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Fine. Blade mostly bright with some scattered surface oxidation and discoloration and with the tip slightly rounded. Markings remain clear on spine, poincons covered by the leather throat washer which remains intact. Guard with some traces of gilt, wood grip with wear and some minor chipped loss, wire intact but somewhat loose. Scabbard with traces of silver and scattered minor dings and mars....more

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Published Collins & Co. Model 1840 NCO Sword Presented to William E. Simonds - 25th Connecticut Infa

Lot # 90 (Sale Order: 90 of 262)      

Published Collins & Co. Model 1840 NCO Sword Presented to William E. Simonds - 25th Connecticut Infantry - Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient at Irish Bend, LA
American Civil War
32" single-edged straight spear point blade with a 29" stopped median fuller, .85" wide at the ricasso. 38.5" in overall length with a 6.5" cast brass hilt and guard with single knuckle bow. Reverse ricasso is stamped COLLINS & CO/HARTFORD/CONN/1862. The blade is etched with flowing foliate scrolls and vines with the barely legible legend 25th/C VOL on the weak image of a knapsack as part of a trophy of arms on the obverse and W.E. Simonds in a ribbon on the reverse. When the sword was first offered for sale by Skinner in 1987 from the collection of Stanley A. Olpp, it did not have a scabbard, and one was added at some point in time. A blued steel 1840 patterns scabbard with brass mounts now accompanies the sword. The sword is pictured and discussed on page 205 of John Thillmann's Civil War Army Swords. Simonds' commission also accompanies the sword, along with a binder of information and research about him.

William Edgar Simonds (1842-1903) was an employee at Collins & Company in Hartford when he enlisted in the 25th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry on August 18, 1862. He was appointed the regimental sergeant major and as such was entitled to wear the US Model 1840 NCO sword. As a Collins employee it is likely that this specially etched Collins-made Model 1840 sword was given to him by his friends at that company. The 25th CT was a 9-month regiment that performed all of its service in the Department of the Gulf, primarily in Louisiana. On April 14, 1863 Simonds would receive a battlefield commission to 2nd lieutenant for his heroism under fire at the Battle of Irish Bend. His actions would also be rewarded in 1899 when he became a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient for his heroism that day. The citation reads: "Displayed great gallantry, under a heavy fire from the enemy, in calling in the skirmishers and assisting in forming the line of battle." Simonds was later wounded on June 14, 1863 at the Battle of Port Hudson. Simonds was mustered out on August 26,, 1863.

After his service he attended Yale Law School and received his law degree in two years. He went to work as an attorney, specializing in patent and trademark law. He was elected to the Connecticut General Assembly in 1882, eventually serving as Speaker of the Connecticut House. In 1888 he was elected to Congress. In 1890 President Benjamin Harrison appointed him Patent Commissioner, a position he served in until 1893, when he returned to the private practice of law. He died in Hartford in 1903.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
From the Collection of George Oldenbourg
CONDITION: Good. Blade a dull gray with moderate oxidation and age staining, some minor surface roughness and some very lightly scattered pitting. Etching worn and weak over much of the blade. The last 5" of the blade are slightly bent. Hilt with a rich, uncleaned butterscotch patina. There is a split in the feral behind the guard on the obverse. Added steel scabbard with traces of blue and moderate surface oxidation, showing wear, dings and mars....more

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Combination French Hilt Non-Regulation Officer's Sword Presented to Capt. John Kilburn - 7th VT Infa

Lot # 91 (Sale Order: 91 of 262)      

Combination French Hilt Non-Regulation Officer's Sword Presented to Capt. John Kilburn - 7th VT Infantry
American Civil War
33.75" tapered spear point heavy cavalry blade with three deep, narrow fullers, 1.15" wide at the ricasso. Overall length 40" with a 6.25" hilt featuring a gilt brass guard with a large American Eagle and shield in the face, and a highly detailed face of Medusa on the top of the pommel cap. The hilt has a grooved wooden grip covered in shagreen with fourteen wraps of mutli-strand wire. Blade etched with flowing floral patterns in the deep fullers and is engraved in the reverse fullers with the French pattern of 1853 designation and with the location of the blade's manufacture being Chatellerault Arsenal, where it was produced in June of 1860. The backstrap of the hilt is engraved: Presented to Capt. J.B. Kilburn/Co D Vt Vols/by his Co March 11", 1862. The sword is accompanied by its blued steel scabbard with chiseled gilt brass mounts. A large binder or research and information about Kilburn accompanies the sword. The binder includes an identified CDV of Kilburn.

John B. Kilburn (1824-1896) joined the 7th Vermont on January 7, 1862 and was commissioned the captain of Company D on February 4, 1862. The regiment was organized at Rutland, VT and would spend its three-years service with the Army of the Department of the Gulf. They would be part of General Butler's Expedition to New Orleans in 1862 and would also see service in Pensacola. The regiment would see action during the initial Siege of Vicksburg during June and July of 1862, at Baton Rouge on August 5, 1862, at Gonzales Station (AL) on July 15, 1864, during the Mobile and Spanish Fort Campaigns of March-April 1865 and at Wistler, AL on March 13, 1865. Like most northern regiments serving in the deep south, nearly all of the fatalities were due to accident and disease, rather than combat. Of the 420 casualties the regiment suffered, only 13 were due to combat (Foxes Regimental Losses). Kilburn resigned his commission on January 11, 1863.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
From the Collection of George Oldenbourg
CONDITION: Very good to fine. Blade with scattered oxidation and discoloration, showing moderate dulling but retaining some bright polish and most of the etched decorations. Hilt with traces of gilt in protected areas. Leather throat washer intact. Shagreen with some light wear, wire intact. Scabbard with scattered oxidation and and finish loss, showing some light patches of surface roughness as well as some scattered bumps, dings and marks. The suspension ring has broken off the middle mount but it present and could be repaired....more

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Outstanding Published Clauberg US Model 1850 Officer's Sword of Lt. Thomas McClure, 7th NY Heavy Art

Lot # 92 (Sale Order: 92 of 262)      

Outstanding Published Clauberg US Model 1850 Officer's Sword of Lt. Thomas McClure, 7th NY Heavy Artillery - KIA at Cold Harbor
American Civil War
32" slightly curved single-edged spear point blade with a 22" stopped median fuller and 1.09" wide at ricasso. Overall length 38" with a 6" gilt brass hilt with silver grip with small round silver studs and wrapped with multi-strand wire. Face of guard with US within a banner suggesting Staff & Field, but the sword is categorized as a Foot Officer's sword by Thillmann, who pictures and describes this sword on pages 292-293 of his book Civil War Army Swords. The blade is beautifully etched on both sides with flowing foliate scrolls and features a panoply of arms and large US on the reverse and more patriotic trophies of arms and a spread-winged Eagle on the obverse. The reverse ricasso bears a Clauberg maker's mark and the spine of the blade is etched IRON PROOF. The sword is accompanied by a gilt brass mounted silvered scabbard that is engraved on a presentation plaque on the reverse, between the upper and middle mounts: Presented to/Lieut. Thomas J. McClure/by the Officers and Men/of/Battery H 7th N.Y. Vol. Art. The sword is accompanied by a large binder of research and information regarding McClure.

Thomas J. McClure (1840-1864) was a 22 year old clerk from Troy, NY when he enlisted in the 7th New York Heavy Artillery on August 13, 1862. He was made the 1st sergeant of Company H on August 18 and like most of the "heavies" the regiment spent its initial service in the defenses of Washington. With Grant's Overland Campaign of 1864 and the need to put overwhelming force in the field to fight the Army of Northern Virginia the 7th and many other heavy artillery regiments were redeployed for use as infantry with the Army of the Potomac. McClure must have been an efficient soldier and well-liked as he was promoted to 2nd lieutenant on December 5, 1863 and transferred to company A. The sword apparently commemorates this promotion and indicates how well liked he was by his old company. On February 18, 1864 he was promoted again, this time to 1st lieutenant and transferred to company L. On June 3, 1863 McClure was killed by artillery at the Battle of Cold Harbor. A description of his death noted that his right arm was torn off by the blast and another fragment penetrated his chest.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
From the Collection of George Oldenbourg
CONDITION: Fine. Blade with much of the bright polish and frosty etching. Metal with some scattered surface oxidation and age discoloration. The most evident discoloration are a couple of thumb sized patches near the tip on the obverse. Grip with moderate tarnish. Guard with much of the gilt finish. Scabbard with finish wear and tarnish. Mounts with traces of gilt finish....more

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Two Ames Presentation Swords to Lt. Henry Ward (Capt.) 57th Mass Infantry WIA at Antietam, Spotsylva

Lot # 93 (Sale Order: 93 of 262)      

"Two Ames Presentation Swords to Lt. Henry Ward (Capt.) 57th Mass Infantry WIA at Antietam, Spotsylvania & Petersburg, POW Petersburg & Post-War General
American Civil War
1.) Ames US Model 1850 Foot Officer's Sword. 30"" slightly curved single-edged spear point blade, 36"" in overall length. 6"" hilt with gilt brass guard, grooved wooden grip covered in shagreen with thirteen wraps of twisted wire. Blade with barely legible Ames markings etched on obverse, and with flowing foliate, patriotic and martial themes etched on both sides. Includes a brass mounted steel scabbard with Ames markings on the reverse of the upper mount and engraved Presented to/Lieut. H.C. Ward/Co. G 57th Reg. M.V./by his Friends/Worcester, Mar. 28/1864.

2.) Ames US Model 1850 Foot Officer's Sword. 30.5"" slightly curved single-edged spear point blade, 36.25"" in overall length. 6"" hilt with gilt brass guard, grooved wooden grip covered in shagreen with fifteen wraps of multi-strand twisted wire. clear Ames etching on the obverse near the ricasso with the blade decorated with rich foliate scrolls, patriotic and martial themes. The sword is accompanied by its Ames marked engraved gilt brass scabbard with chased classically themed mounts. The obverse between the upper and middle mounts is engraved: Presented to Lieut./H.C. Ward/By the members/of Co. G 57th Mass Vet. Vols. April 1864. The sword is accompanied by an officer's gilt sword knot and a large binder of information about Ward, as well as a framed copy of an image of him.

Henry Clay Ward was an 18 year old mechanic when he enlisted as a private in Company D of the 15th Mass Infantry on July 21, 1861. He served with the 15th Mass through September 4, 1863 when he resigned. During that time he fought with the regiment through their campaigns, including the battles of Ball's Bluff, Siege of Yorktown, Seven Pines, the Seven Days, Savage's Station, White Oak Swamp and Malvern Hill, all by July 1, 1862. The regiment fought at Antietam on September 16-17, 1862 and Ward was wounded during that battle. The regiment ended 1862 by fighting at Fredericksburg. In 1863, the regiment participated in the Mud March, the Chancellorsville Campaign, and saw additional fighting at Mayre's Heights, Salem Heights and Gettysburg.

During 1863 Ward was promoted to sergeant on February 26 and 2nd lieutenant of Company F on March 14. He resigned his commission on September 4, 1863. On March 9, 1864 he accepted a commission as a 1st lieutenant in Company G of the newly organized 57th Mass Infantry, which was officially mustered into service on April 6. Their first campaign was along the Rapidan River to the James River and they fought at the Wilderness and Spotsylvania in May and Cold Harbor in June. At Spotsylvania Ward was wounded again. Mid-June saw the regiment before Petersburg, where Ward was wounded for the third time on June 17. The regiment was involved at the Battle of the Crater on July 30 and on July 31 he was promoted to Captain and transferred to Company K. The balance of the year was spent in and around Petersburg seeing siege duty and fighting minor actions at Weldon Railroad and Poplar Grove Church. On March 25, 1865 the regiment was part of the fighting to recapture Fort Steadman from the Confederates and Ward was captured during this action. He was exchanged on April 4. Ward was mustered out with the rest of the regiment on July 30, 1865. He entered Regular Army service after the war, serving from February 23, 1866 to October 30, 1905 and he retired as a Brigadier General. Ward fought during the Philippine Insurrection and was wounded for the fourth time during that service.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
From the Collection of George Oldenbourg
CONDITION: 1.) Good with wear to the etching on the blade, showing a dull gray patina with darker patches of age discoloration and oxidation. Etching weak and worn. Hilt with no gilt remaining and a dark butterscotch patina, grip wrap with some wear. Wire intact as is throat washer. Scabbard with no finish and mottled oxidation, showing dings and dent and a heavily worn drag....more

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Horstmann Finley Etched Curved Blade Foot Officer's Sword Presented to Cpt. John McDowell - 77th PA

Lot # 94 (Sale Order: 94 of 262)      

Horstmann Finley Etched Curved Blade Foot Officer's Sword Presented to Cpt. John McDowell - 77th PA
American Civil War
29.75" curved single-edged flat backed blade, 1.125" wide at ricasso with a 22" stopped primary fuller and a 14.5" long narrow secondary fuller at the spine. 35.5" in overall length, with a 5.5" hilt. Traditional foliate decorated gilt brass Foot Officer's sword guard with knuckle bow and lightly decorated pommel cap. Grooved wooden grip covered in shagreen with fourteen wraps of multi-strand wire. Blade decorated with 15" of fine frosty etching showing detailed foliate themes with elaborate martial and patriotic motifs. Obverse etched W.H. Horstmann/& Sons in two lines and Philadelphia on the reverse. The sword is accompanied by its gilt brass mounted leather scabbard with the obverse of the upper mount is engraved with the following presentation: Presented to Capt. John S./McDowell by the members/of Co. F 77th Regt. Penn. Vols./as a mark of esteem and/reward for meritorious services/April 1, 1863.

John Sands McDowell (1840-1915) was 21 years old when he enlisted in the 77th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry as a sergeant on October 9, 1861. He was mustered into company F and would fight with this company through the war, rising through the ranks to become the company commander. The 77th Pennsylvania would spend the war fighting in the Western Theater of Operations, initially as part of the Army of the Ohio and eventually as part of the Army of the Cumberland. They would fight in every major and many of the secondary battles in the west from Shiloh to Corinth, Stones River to Chickamauga, the Atlanta Campaign, Franklin and Nashville, to just mention the major ones. McDowell was promoted from sergeant to 2nd lieutenant on April 24, 1862 and then to 1st lieutenant on December 10, 1862 just before the battle of Stones River. On April 11, 1863 he was promoted to captain and company commander, prior to the beginning of the Tullahoma Campaign. McDowell was captured on the night of September 19, 1863 after the second day of the fighting at Chickamauga. He was reconnoitering the Confederate lines that evening when he was captured and his sword taken by Lt. N.Q. Adams of the 27th Mississippi Infantry Regiment. At that time Adams promised to take care of it and return it to McDowell when the war was over. Adams even provided McDowell with his address so the Union captain could contact him after the war. McDowell was subsequently imprisoned in both Macon, GA and Columbia, SC. McDowell was eventually released and officially discharged from the service on March 16, 1865. After the war he moved to Smith County, KS where he was in the dry goods business. He contacted Adams about returning the sword, but the Mississippi officer explained that it had been turned over to his brigade commander and no further information about its location was known. Some 36 years after the event, Charles O Beauchamp the Mayor of Jackson Georgia wrote to William Randolph Hearst's New York Journal in April of 1900 and explained that he was in possession of the sword, which he had received from his father. Beauchamp's story about receiving the sword does not quite mesh with McDowell's story of its loss, but as Beauchamp was not even born until 1873 and it is not really clear how his father had acquired (the article says that he had "purchased it") and his father was not the one who had taken it from McDowell, it is not surprising that the stories differ. Beauchamp's goal in writing to the New York Journal was to find McDowell and return the sword to him. The article accomplished just that and in 1900 McDowell's sword was repatriated to him nearly 37 years after its loss.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Fine. The blade retains much of its polish and frosty etching with some lightly scattered patches of minor surface oxidation, some freckles and tiny patches of surface roughness and some age discoloration. Hilt with traces of gilt in protected areas. Grip wrap with some light wear and minimal loss, wire intact. Throat washer intact. Hilt, grip and blade junction tight. Scabbard very good, with the leather shows wear, some crazing and some flaked finish loss. Center rear seam with tight, intact stitching. Upper mount cleaned to make the inscription more legible, middle mount and drag with a rich, uncleaned patina....more

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Fine Unaltered Harpers Ferry US Model 1841 Mississippi Rifle

Lot # 95 (Sale Order: 95 of 262)      

Fine Unaltered Harpers Ferry US Model 1841 Mississippi Rifle
American Civil War
.54 caliber. 33" round barrel secured by two flat brass spring-retained bands. NSN. Browned barrel, color casehardened lock and hammer, brass furniture, walnut stock. Single shot percussion muzzleloading rifle with fixed sights. Lock marked with a {Spread-Winged Eagle}/US forward of the hammer and in three vertical lines HARPERS/FERRY/1850 at the tail. Breech plug tang dated 1850 as well. Breech with correct small V/P/{Eagle Head} proof and an AW/P inspection mark. Counterpane with the block JLR inspection of John L Rowe with the same inspection inside the patchbox cut-out, along with the three router pilot holes found on Harpers Ferry made 1841 rifle stocks. Spare cone in patchbox. Buttplate without the "US" on the tang, as is correct. Original production configuration with fixed block rear sight, brass blade front sight and no bayonet lug. Retains original sling swivels and full-length brass-tipped steel ramrod with good threads at the end. Harpers Ferry produced 2,676 M1841 Rifles in 1850. During the entire production run at Harpers Ferry a total of 25,207 Model 1841 rifles would be produced between 1844 and 1855. Of those, nearly 9,000 would be altered at Harpers Ferry to accept bayonets and would receive new, long-range rear sights. Many more of the Harpers Ferry produced 1841 Rifles would be similarly altered during the early months of the American Civil War, primarily to accept a bayonet of some sort, and these alterations took place both in the North and the South. Today finding an original, unaltered Harpers Ferry produced 1841 rifle that is still in .54 caliber without any modifications is quite difficult and these guns are highly sought after by collectors. This is a very nice and crisp example that would be a wonderful addition to any collection.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
ex-Ted Heske Collection, The Collection of John Vagnetti
CONDITION: Fine. Fine bore is mostly bright with original 7-groove rifling that is deep and strong. Bore shows scattered oxidation and some lighth pitting scattered along its length. Barrel with some nice thinning and faded arsenal brown that still shows more nice color than patination. Slightly more bright brown is present under the barrel bands where it has been protected. Breech with some scattered light pitting from percussion cap erosion. Barrel with freckles of oxidation shot through the finish and some small patches of moderate surface roughness here and there. Lock with a smokey pewter gray appearance and some wavy area of darker gray, suggesting the original case colored mottling. All markings remain clear and crisp. Mechanically functional lock is crisp. Stock crisp with strong edges and lines, showing scattered bumps, dings and mars and retaining some feathery texture to the wood in some areas. A really lovely example....more

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Imported US Model 1850 Staff & Field Officers Sword

Lot # 96 (Sale Order: 96 of 262)      

Imported US Model 1850 Staff & Field Officers Sword
American Civil War
34" single-edged spear point blade, 1" wide at ricasso with 17.5" stopped primary fuller and a 15" long narrow secondary fuller at the spine. 39.5" in overall length. 5.5" hilt with gilt cast brass guard with US in the face and traditional foliate decorative patterns. Grooved wooden grip with shagreen covering and twelve wraps of mutli-strand wire. Blade etched with traditional floral, martial and patriotic motifs with a US as the central image on the reverse and a {Spread-Winged Eagle} the central image on the obverse. Etching is very light, no maker or retailer marks are visible. A very light IRON PROOF etching is visible on the spine. The sword is accompanied by its browned steel scabbard with gilt brass mounts.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Good. Blade cleaned to bright leaving the etching very weak. Metal with some freckled areas of surface oxidation, tiny spots of roughness and some freckles of staining. Guard with some traces of gilt, mostly in protected areas. Throat washer may be replaced. Hilt, guard and blade junction is tight. Wrap in good condition with some light wear, wire wrap intact. Scabbard very good with some thinning and fading to the finish, traces of gilt on the mounts and some lightly scattered minor dings and impact marks....more

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1858 Dated U.S. Model 1840 Heavy Cavalry Saber with Stuart Hangers

Lot # 97 (Sale Order: 97 of 262)      

1858 Dated U.S. Model 1840 Heavy Cavalry Saber with Stuart Hangers
American Civil War
36" curved single edged blade with a 25.75" stopped median fuller, blade 1.25" wide at ricasso. Overall length 42.25" with a 6" hilt with a cast brass guard with two branches and a knuckle bow. Grooved wooden grip covered in leather with 18 wraps of twisted wire. Obverse ricasso marked US/JN/1858 and reverse ricasso with 3 line Ames address. Edges of pommel cap with block JH and script WAT inspections. Peen is untouched, leather throat washer in place. Steel scabbard moderately oxidized with a correctly seamed lower edge and no inspection marks visible on the drag due to oxidation. Includes a set of Stuart hangers.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Very good. Blade lightly cleaned with a dove gray patina and some freckles and spots of minor surface oxidation and discoloration. Markings remain clear and legible. Hilt with a dull golden patina, leather with some wear and flaked loss. Wire and throat washer intact. Scabbard with moderate oxidation, a thick brown patina, scattered surface roughness and some scattered dings. Stuart hanger very good....more

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Fine & Scarce Brass Mounted US Model 1855 Type I Harpers Ferry Rifle

Lot # 98 (Sale Order: 98 of 262)      

Fine & Scarce Brass Mounted US Model 1855 Type I Harpers Ferry Rifle
American Civil War
.58 caliber. 33" round barrel secured by two flat brass spring retained bands. NSN. Browned finish, color casehardened lock, brass furniture, walnut stock. Single shot, muzzleloading percussion rifle with Maynard automated tape primer lock. Lock marked in two horizontal lines forward of the hammer: US/HARPERS FERRY and dated 1858 at tail of lock. Breech dated 1858 as well with standard V/P/{Eagle Head} inspection marks at left of breech. No visible cartouche. Weak right-side-up US on buttplate tang, "U" marks on both barrel bands. Long range rear sight graduated from 1 to 5 on each side wall, 6 to 9 on the ladder and 10 on the outside edge of the upper V-notch, low-base iron rifle front sight, saber bayonet lug on obverse of barrel near muzzle. Brass furniture including bands, triggerguard, 1.375" long nose cap, buttplate and patchbox. Patchbox cut for the long range, "Figure-8" sharpshooter's sight and includes a high quality reproduction in it. An original spare nipple is in the patchbox as well. 1855 pattern hammer with primer tape cutter face and notch in nose is marked R on the reverse. Lock washers are steel. Rifle retains both sling swivels and an original tulip head, swelled shank ramrod with good threads at the end. A total of 3,545 "Type I" brass mounted 1855 Rifles intended for the long range ladder rear sights were produced between fiscal years 1857 and 1859, with the fiscal year starting July 1 of the previous year (calendar years July 1, 1856 through June 30 1858). During that time 700 were delivered with the long range rear sights attached and the balance without. Some were later completed with the addition of the 1858 pattern short base, 3-leaf rear sights, but some were still in storage without rear sights when the Harpers Ferry Arsenal was captured by Virginia state forces in April 1861 and subsequently turned over to the Confederate government. Many of those guns in storage were destroyed or damaged by a fire set by loyal Union arsenal personal, even though the fire was quickly extinguished. Today the brass mounted 1855 rifle in its original configuration with the long range rear sight is one of the most difficult and desirable US military rifles to acquire for a collection. This is a lovely example in very nice condition and is worthy of being added to an advanced collection.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
The Collection of John Vagnetti
CONDITION: Fine. Bore fine with crisp rifling, showing scattered oxidation and freckling in a mostly bright bore. Barrel with traces of brown finish on exposed metal and strong arsenal brown under the barrel bands and some stronger traces under the barrel itself. Metal mostly smooth with some lightly scattered oxidation and a mottled grayish brown patina on most of the barrel and lock surfaces, with some light pitting at the breech. Markings in metal remain fully legible and clear. Lock mechanically functional with the tape primer mechanism complete. Brass with an attractive rich butterscotch patina. Stock very good with good edges and lines, with some minor rounding to the sharpest edges. There is a tiny chip of wood missing at the rear of the lock mortise and some surface scuffs that suggest an old, very light sanding at some point. Otherwise with scattered light bumps, dings and mars....more

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Smith Carbine by Mass Arms Company

Lot # 99 (Sale Order: 99 of 262)      

Smith Carbine by Mass Arms Company
American Civil War
.50 caliber. 21.5" barrel. SN: 11725. Blued and color casehardened finish, walnut stock. Single shot breechloading tilt-down barrel percussion ignition cavalry carbine. Standard Mass Arms Co and Poultney & Trimble markings on receiver. Matching serial numbers on frame and barrel. No cartouches present on the stock wrist. Retains original ladder rear sight, front sight blade replaced with a taller modern one for shooting. Sing bar and ring intact. Although this serial number does not appear in the four volumes of Springfield Research Service serial number books a number of guns very close to it do, all issued to Company L of the 1st Alabama Cavalry (US), including #11730 and #11731.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Good. Bore moderately oxidized with strong rifling and some light pitting. Metal with a dull brownish-gray patina and some minute traces of case color on the frame. Markings in metal are clear. Mechanically functional action. Wood lightly sanded with scattered bumps, dings and mars....more

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Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolver with Reproduction Holster

Lot # 100 (Sale Order: 100 of 262)      

Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolver with Reproduction Holster
American Civil War
.36 caliber. 7.5" barrel. SN: 106601 (mfg. ca. 1861). Blued metal finish with case colored frame mounting one piece walnut bell shaped grips and octagonal barrel. Single action six-shot percussion revolver with Ormsby's naval engagement roll engraved to cylinder. Markings include COLT'S/PATENT to left frame with single line address on barrel reading -ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-. Item is struck with an L inspection initial to the left triggerguard. Serial numbers match on all parts except for arbor pin, which is non numbered and appears to be a period hand made replacement. Filled hole in butt where a swivel was installed during the period of use. Repaired grip at frame junction on left side. Notch rear sight added to barrel in address, German silver half-moon front sight an old period of use replacement. Item comes in an unmarked leather holster that appears to be a modern reproduction.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Good. Bore is Dark with brown patina throughout and strong rifling. Metal finish shows a brown patina overall with weak markings on the frame, some light pitting around the forcing cone, recoil shield, and hammer. Gripstraps are tarnished on the edges. Grips show some handling ear, mars, and scratches. Action shows good timing. Holster with some scratches, scuffs, and mars overall, and some cracking to belt loop and flap....more

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