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LOT 1224
Outstanding Civil War U.S. Whitney Model 1861 “Plymouth” Navy Percussion Rifle -
Serial no. 4982, 69 cal., 33 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. Manufactured under a July of 1861 contract, with delivery of 10,000 rifles completed in 1864. The Plymouth Rifle
was manufactured on the recommendation of Navy ordnance officer John A. Dahlgren and was based on the French Model 1849 “Chasseurs de Vincennes” percussion rifle. It features a .69 caliber rifled barrel with bayonet lug on the right side, long range rear ladder sight graduated to 1,000 yards, trigger guard with spur finger grip and ramrod with large cylindrical tip pierced with a small hole. “1863” dated lock and barrel. The serial number “4982” is marked on the barrel tang. “V/P/eagle head” proofs marked on the upper left barrel flat. The lock is decorated with a large eagle and shield ahead of the hammer and is marked “U.S./ WHITNEY-VILLE” in two lines. “F.C.W” (Frank C. Warner) inspection initials marked on the left barrel flat, and a boxed script “FCW” inspection cartouche stamped on the left stock flat. “US” marked buttplate tang. CONDITION: Excellent with all the attractive repolished armory bright finish remaining, a few light handling marks, and sharp edges and
markings in the metal. The stock is also excellent showing the original oil finished walnut with the original feathered grain, a few light handling marks, an exceptionally crisp cartouche and distinct edges overall. Mechanically excellent. A spectacular 1861 Whitney “Plymouth” Navy rifle that would be difficult to improve upon! Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
LOT 1225 Civil War U.S. Remington “Model 1863 Zouave” Percussion Rifle - NSN, 58 cal., 33 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. 12,501 of these rifles are estimated to have been manufactured by Remington during the Civil War for the Union. Government records listed them as “Harpers Ferry Pattern” rifles, and they have similarities to both the Model 1841 and Model 1855 rifles that were manufactured at Harpers Ferry prior to the Civil War but are a unique pattern. The Model 1863 “Zouave” nickname is of unclear origins, and whether or not any of these rifles saw use in the war remains unclear and debated. The barrel and lock are both dated “1863.” The stock flat has two boxed inspection cartouches. Includes a spare nipple in the patch box. CONDITION: Very good, with smooth brown and gray patina, bright golden patina on the brass, and legible markings in the metal overall. The stock is also very good, with scattered light scratches and dents, lightly visible cartouches, and mostly defined edges. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
attributing this cane to Captain Silas May of Company K of the 12th New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry. He was elected captain of Company K on 8 September 1862 and served at the Battle of Fredericksburg and at Chancellorsville, where he was severely wounded in the left leg, perhaps necessitating this cane. The 12th N.H.V.I. was heavily engaged at Chancellorsville where they were part of General Daniel Sickles’ III Corps. During a desperate part of the battle on 3 May, the regiment was advanced to fill a large gap in the Union line, essentially with orders to fight to the last man. The 12th entered a wooded area to make their stand with approximately 550 men fit for duty. They fought bravely for over two hours against a vastly numerically superior enemy, expending all of their ammunition. It was during this advance into the wood that Captain May was wounded. Their numbers having dwindled and at risk of being cut off, a second lieutenant, the highest ranking officer left standing, gave the order for the regiment to retreat. Initially upon returning to the safety of the Union line, only two officers and around 20 men managed to muster around the regimental colors which they had managed to save. By the time of the Battle of Gettysburg two months later, the regiment only managed to field 224 men. CONDITION: Fine, the grip showing an attractively aged tone with some minor cracks and a repair at the angle, attractively aged patina on the silver and brass, and a few scattered light handling marks on the shaft. Estimate: 1,500 - 2,750
Captain Silas May
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LOT 1226 Historic Civil War Era Relief Carved Cane Attributed to Captain Silas May of the 12th New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry - Civil War era canes are incredibly desirable among collectors, especially those attributed to individuals whose service records are available. The L-shaped grip of this cane is inscribed with the initials “S.M.” and has a relief carved American eagle and shield on the grip “cap”. The grip is joined to the smooth Malacca shaft with a silvered band and the shaft is tipped with brass. It measures 34 inches overall. A handwritten note is attached to the shaft just below the band