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LOT 226
Historic Civil War Colt Model 1849 Pocket Percussion
Revolver Presentation Inscribed to Dr. M.G. Raefle U.S. Navy - Serial no. 84194, 31 cal., 6 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1853, this historic Colt Model 1849 revolver is presentation inscribed to a Civil War doctor. The
top barrel flat has the standard two-line address, “COLTS/PATENT” on the left of the frame, and matching serial numbers on the barrel, frame, triggerguard, butt, and partial matching number “4194” on the loading lever. The butt is inscribed “February 1862” and the back strap is inscribed “Presented by/G.C. Brown” and “to Dr. M.G. Raefle U.S.N.” It is fitted with brass cone front and hammer notch rear sights and a one-piece walnut grip.
CONDITION: Very good, retaining traces of the original blue and casehardened finishes with the balance mostly a smooth grey patina and a few scattered patches of light pitting. 90% of the silver plating remains on the triggerguard and back strap showing an attractively aged patina and some light edge wear. The grip is also fine with some minor dings and scratches scattered throughout and retaining most of the varnish. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
Incredibly Historic Presentation Gilt Cane Inscribed From Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient Colonel Bernard J.D. Irwin to Lieutenant Louis O. Faringhy of the 1st New Mexico Cavalry,
a Regiment Led by Colonel Kit Carson - This beautiful presentation cane is packed full of incredible Civil War and U.S. military history, all of which stems from the inscription marked on top of the grip, which reads “Col. B.J.D. Irwin/U.S.A./Sept. 1st 1883./to/L.O. Faringhy.” Bernard John Dowling Irwin (1830-1917) graduated from New York Medical College in 1852, shortly after becoming physician
and surgeon at the State Emigrant Hospital on Ward’s Island. In 1856 he was appointed assistant surgeon to the U.S. Army and would serve in various western outposts during the Apache Wars,
up until the outbreak of the Civil War. In February of 1861, just before the Civil War began, a band of about 60 U.S. cavalry troops had been surrounded and besieged by a band of Chiricahua
Apache warriors under the command of Chief Cochise in Arizona. Irwin, who was stationed there, gathered a group of 14 troopers of the 1st U.S. Dragoons and launched a rescue mission. Irwin strategically placed his very few men around the Apache band, making it appear that he had a much larger force, which in turn pressured the Apaches to flee. For this action, though it didn’t yet
exist, Irwin would later be awarded the Medal of Honor in 1862, making him the very first recipient of the award by date of action (not date of award). He went on to serve in various roles during
the Civil War including being noted as organizing one of the first field hospitals at the Battle of Shiloh, and being appointed medical director under major general William “Bull” Nelson, whom he was attempting to rescue at the Battle of Richmond when he was captured. He served in various posts after the war, reaching the rank of colonel, and sometime during the remainder of the Apache Wars
is likely when he met Louis O. Faringhy. Faringhy was a lieutenant in Company L of the 1st New Mexico cavalry, which was led by the legend of the American West, Kit Carson. The 1st New Mexico
was stationed in various places around New Mexico and was involved in several skirmishes with Confederate forces during the Civil War. The connection between Irwin and Faringhy is unknown at
the time of writing, thought it would appear that Irwin held him in high esteem. Besides the inscription, the knob-shaped gilt grip of the cane has extensive floral motifs and is fitted to a smooth ebonized shaft that is tipped with German silver and iron. It measures 36 inches overall.
CONDITION: Very good, the grip showing most of the bright gilt finish with some minor dents and otherwise minimal handling evidence. The shaft is fine with some scattered light handling marks
and scuffs. An incredible piece of U.S. military history inscribed from Medal of Honor recipient Bernard Irwin!
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 228
Historic Civil War Presentation Cane with Gilt Grip Inscribed to Assistant Surgeon Thomas Arner of the 108th New York
Infantry - This historic Civil War presentation cane is inscribed on top of the gilt grip “Surgeon Arner/from/Officers/of the 108th”.
Thomas Arner enlisted in the 108th New York Infantry as an assistant surgeon. The regiment was organized in Rochester, New York
in 1862 with three year enlistment papers under the command of colonel Oliver H. Palmer. In September of 1862, the regiment
was attached to Sumner’s 2nd Corps, French’s 3rd Division, Morris’ 2nd Brigade for the Maryland Campaign. The 108th got their
first taste of combat on the morning of 17 September 1862 near Antietam Creek, taking part in a battle which remains the single
bloodiest day in American history. At 9:30 a.m. on the 17th, the Battle of Antietam had already been raging for about three and a
half hours when Morris’ brigade, along with the 108th, were the second of French’s brigades called upon to make a frontal assault
on a Confederate position in a sunken road that made a natural trench, the first having already been repelled with heavy losses. The 108th advanced head on into the intense Confederate fire, eventually being forced to retreat after suffering 196 men killed and wounded. French’s division as a whole suffered 1,750 casualties in under an hour trying to dislodge the Confederates from their strong positions. The 108th would go on to take part in many major battles of the war including Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, Cold Harbor, the First Assault on Petersburg, and were present for Lee’s surrender at Appomattox Court House, as well as the Grand Review in Washington D.C. before being mustered out on 28 May 1865. The inscribed and gilt knob shaped grip features floral motifs throughout. The ebonized shaft appears to have a metal core and is tipped with iron. It measures 36 1/4 inches overall. CONDITION: Fine, the grip retaining most of the bright gilt finish with a few scattered light handling marks. The shaft is very good with some scattered light handling marks and some residue from a previous label. An incredible piece of Civil War history!
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000 193
LOT 227
Important Historic Note
Thomas Arner of the 108th New York Infantry was an assistant surgeon at the Battle of Antietam, which stands as the single bloodiest
day in American history.