Page 225 - 4095-BOOK1

223
LOT 224
Exceptional Robert Johnson U.S. Model 1836 Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 54 cal., 8 1/2 inch round
bbl., bright/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This Model 1836 flintlock pistol was manufactured
by Robert Johnson of Middletown, Connecticut, in 1841. Many saw hard use during the Mexican-
American War and Civil War in the holsters of the U.S. cavalry. “US/JH/P” (partially stamped “S”)
marked on the breech of the bright barrel, “US/R.JOHNSON/MIDDn CONN/1841” marked on the casehardened lock, and two oval script inspection
cartouches “JH” and “W.A.T” (William Anderson Thornton) crisply stamped on the left stock flat.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 80% plus highly attractive vivid original case colors on the lock assembly, scattered dark colored light surface pitting on the barrel
and fittings with otherwise mostly bright surfaces, and sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. Stock is excellent with distinct edges and exceptionally
crisp cartouches. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 223
U.S. Harpers Ferry Model 1819
Hall Breech Loading Flintlock
Rifle Dated 1838 - NSN, 52 cal.,
32 5/8 inch round bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. The U.S. Model 1819
rifles manufactured at Harpers Ferry based on John Hancock Hall’s 1811 patent were the first widely issued breech loading military rifles
and were also built with interchangeable parts. This 1838 dated rifle is being de-accessioned from the famous George F. Harding Jr. Collection at the Art Institute
of Chicago (reference number 1982.2851). The frame is marked “P/85” on top. The breechblock is marked “J. H. HALL/H. FERRY/U.S./1838”.
CONDITION: Good with mostly gray and brown patina, light pitting, distinct markings, modified/repaired cock with replacement top jaw and screw, and mild wear. The stock is
very good and has mild scratches and dings. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The George F. Harding Jr. Collection; The Art Institute of Chicago.
Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
LOT 221
Historic California Associated Pre-Civil War Ames 1852 Pattern Naval Officer’s Pacific Mail Steamship Co. Presentation Sword and Scabbard Inscribed to
Commander James Alden of the U.S.C.S. Ship Active - The locket on the rayskin scabbard is inscribed with “Presented by the/PACIFIC MAIL STEAMSHIP CO/To Lieut
James Alden/U.S.N. In token of their/HIGH APPRECIATION/& GRATEFUL RECOLLECTION/of his Services rendered/with surveying Steam/-er Active to their Steamship/
California APRIL 1852.” on the left side and an eagle and anchor motif on the right side. In 1852, Lt. James Alden Jr. was the commander of the United States Coast Survey
ship Active and was conducting the U.S.C.S.’s first hydrographic surveys of the West Coast. The S.S. California was operated by the Pacific Mail Steamship Co. between San
Francisco and Panama and was the first steamship to travel from Central America to North America. The inscription relates to an incident in April 1852 during which the
California was disabled at San Pedro, and Alden and the Active came to their aid and delivered the mail for the company. The incident is discussed in May 1852 letters
between Alden and Samuel W. Comstock, Vice President of the Pacific Mail Steamship Co., published within the “Report of the Superintendent of the Coast Survey. . .” from
1852. During the Civil War, Alden commanded ships in the Gulf of Mexico. After the war, he served as the commander of the Mare Island Naval Yard in San Francisco Bay
and the U.S. European Squadron, retired with the rank of rear admiral in 1873, and died in San Francisco in 1877. The blade has scroll, U.S. Navy, and patriotic themed etching
along with the etched Ames maker’s mark and “1852” on the right and “P/RBH” inspectors mark visible on the left. The hilt has a “USN” and oak leaf and acorn themed guard,
curled sea serpent quillion, sea serpent base of the back guard, rayskin grip with silver wire wrap, and eagle and 13 star pommel. The suspension ring bands have rope designs, the
tip has oak leaf and acorn engraving, and the drag has a silver sea serpent design. A very similar sword from the same year is shown on pages 154-155 of “The Ames Sword Company, 1829-1935” by John D.
Hamilton and identified as one of 500 ordered by the U.S. Navy Board of Commissioners for the Navy’s 487 officers. This sword has a 29 by 1 1/16 inch blade while the example in the book is listed as having a 26 inch blade.
CONDITION: Very good with mild overall wear, attractive aged patinas, general crisp etching and other designs, some minor pitting and oxidation on the blade, nicks and mild wear on the blade edge, and crisp inscription.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
LOT 222
Fine Ames Militia Officer’s Sword and Scabbard - High quality militia officer’s
sword manufactured by N. P. Ames of Chicopee, Massachusetts, c. 1840. The sword
has a 31-inch straight double edged blade with single fuller and bright etched panels
with dry needle engraving. “Ames Mfg. Co./Chicopee/Mass” is engraved in an
oval on the obverse ricasso. The obverse of the blade is etched with a stand
of arms surrounded by floral sprays. The reverse is etched with floral sprays
flanking a panoply of arms and an eagle and shield with “E/Pluribus/Unum” in a ribbon on a sunburst background. The gold plated brass hilt has a cast eagle pommel with double chain
gold guard, reeded bone grip and cruciform cross guards with rectangular langets. The cross guards have relief cast images of a spread eagle with laurel leaves above military trophies and acanthus leaves and a Phrygian cap
surrounded by swords and spears. The back of the gold plated brass scabbard is stamped “AMES MFG. Co./CHICOPEE/MASS” in three lines between the throat and the upper band. The scabbard has a cast foliate shaped drag and
two cast suspension bands with three rings. The upper band features a cast federal shield above a laurel wreath surrounded by floral sprays.
CONDITION: Very fine. The tip of the otherwise fine blade has some age discoloration and light pitting. The frosted panel surrounding the etching has faded but the etching and engraving remain clear. The hilt retains 70% of the
original gold plated finish. The grip is slightly yellowed and has some minor discoloration but remains very fine. The brass scabbard is fine overall with some shallow dents, missing a screw and retains 75% of the original gold
plated finish. This is a highly desirable example of a high quality Mexican-American War era militia officer’s sword manufactured by the most desirable American sword maker, Ames.
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000