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LOT 288
Historic U.S. Civil War Spencer Model 1860 Repeating Saddle Ring Carbine, Carved to S. Leonard, Company A, 1st Wisconsin Cavalry - Serial no. 42718, 52 Spencer cal., 22 inch round bbl., brown finish, walnut stock. A fancy bordered period carving surrounding “S. Leonard./Co A./1st Wis.Cav.” with oak leaves flanking the “Co. A.” is located on the left of the buttstock. No further information has been located related to this individual at the current time. Approximately 50,000 of these carbines were manufactured between 1863 and 1865 for the Union Army. Spencer carbines are easily one of the most advanced and popular weapons of the war and remained important in the Indian Wars of the latter half of the 19th century, especially prior to the widespread adoption of the Springfield trapdoor. Two faint boxed script inspection cartouches are stamped on the left of the wrist.
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LOT 286
Civil War C. Roby & Co. Model 1850 Officer’s Presentation Sword and Scabbard Inscribed for Captain William H. Palmer of the 10th Wisconsin Infantry -
The lightly curved 31 inch blade is etched with floral scroll and patriotic motifs along with “IRON PROOF” on the spine and
“C. ROBY & CO/W. CHELMSFORD/MASS.” on the left ricasso. The brass hilt has floral patterns and a shagreen, straight wire, and twisted wire wrapped grip. The black leather scabbard has brass fittings, and the upper band has “Capt. Wm. H. Palmer./Co F/10 W.V.Inf./Oct. 1861.” on the obverse and the maker’s mark on the reverse.
The 10th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry was mustered in on October 14, 1861, at Camp Holton near Milwaukee for three years and mustered out on October 25, 1864, at Milwaukee. They were part of the Army of the Ohio until November 1862 when they became part of the Army of the Cumberland, and then in early 1863 they became part of the Army of the Ohio and Cumberland. They forced the Confederates out of Huntsville and also captured, Stevenson, Decatur, and Tuscumbia. They also successfully defended Paint Rock Bridge and fought Confederate guerrillas as the rear guard during the movement of troops to the Ohio. They came under heavy fire at Perryville, Kentucky, where they held their ground even after running out of ammunition. The regiment was also engaged at Stone’s River, Hoover’s Gap, and Chattanooga, and suffered serious losses at the latter, including eighteen killed, fifty-six wounded, and one hundred thirty-two missing (mainly prisoners). Despite their losses, they served at Missionary Ridge and also fought during the Atlanta Campaign. Many of the men still able to fight reenlisted and were transferred to the 21st Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. Captain William H. Palmer of Company F (Grant County Patriots) is identified as being commissioned on September 19, 1861, and resigned on September 3, 1863, due to disability. CONDITION: Very good with bright blade with distinct etching, dark aged patina on the hilt, and mostly age and storage related wear. The scabbard is also fine and has some crackling of the leather, aged patina on the brass, and distinct inscription and markings. Overall, this is a very attractive and early Civil War officer’s sword inscribed for an officer of the 10th Wisconsin Infantry serving in the western theater of the war. Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 287
Very Scarce Civil War Era Lee Fire Arms Co. Single Shot Saddle Ring Carbine - NSN, 42 RF cal., 20 3/4 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. These carbines were designed by James Paris Lee and manufactured by the Lee Fire Arms Company of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Though Lee is most famous for his bolt action and detachable box magazine design, the first production arms manufactured based on Lee’s designs were these single shot carbines. The barrels were subcontracted to Remington, but an error in communication and/or the U.S. Ordnance Department’s desire to not pay for the arms after the conclusion of the war led to the government rejecting the whole batch of carbines due to the carbines being bored at .42 caliber like the trial arms instead of the .44 caliber mentioned in communications from Chief of Ordnance Brigadier General A.B. Dyer. Only 255 carbines were completed by November 1866, and approximately 200 more were nearly complete. Other components were also outsourced, but they were assembled in Milwaukee. With the hammer at half cock, the side swing barrel opens for loading from the right. It has a “pinched” blade front sight, two leaf 500 yard rear sight, a modern made reproduction saddle bar and ring mounted on the left of the action, and smooth walnut buttstock with casehardened buttplate. The frame of this example is a sporting model, visually different from the military carbine model frame in that it has a higher top section with a sight notch built in. It is possible this example could have been assembled from leftover parts in the period for commercial sale. CONDITION: Very good as configured, with smooth artificially applied brown patina on the iron surfaces with a few patches of light pitting. The extractor and saddle ring are modern made replacements. Stock is fine as sanded and re-oiled, with a reshaped comb, and a few scattered light scratches and dents. Mechanically needs work, the half cock notch is non-functioning and the hammer must be manually positioned in order to open the side swing barrel. Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
CONDITION: Good, exhibiting a mix of brown and gray patina, with some scattered mild spotting. The wood is also good with general overall wear, numerous scattered scratches and dents, a large gouge on the right of the buttstock, a crack running the length of the left of the buttstock (the buttstock remains solid), and an attractive defined carving. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500