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LOT 3237
Historic Civil War Era Colt Model 1851 Navy Percussion
Revolver Inscribed to M. Smith of the 45th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry - Serial no. 116962, 36
cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. This revolver was manufactured in 1861 and has the standard markings and features, including matching
serial numbers. The butt is inscribed “M. Smith/45th Regt. Ill. Vol.” A binder of information on Captain Melancthon Smith
(1829-1863) of Company G, later the unit’s lieutenant colonel, is included. Smith was an attorney and postmaster in Rockford, Illinois,
prior to the Civil War and married the daughter of an abolitionist. She was the acting deputy
postmaster at the beginning of the Civil War and took over when he helped raise the Rockford Rifles at the beginning of the war and
was elected their captain. They became Company G of the 45th Illinois Infantry (Washburn Lead Mine Regiment). He was promoted
to major in October of 1861 and then to lieutenant colonel in November 1862. He was shot in the head during the Siege of Vicksburg as the head of the
“forlorn hope” in an attack but survived for three days. His wife was soon after appointed as Postmaster of Rockford by Abraham Lincoln, the first “postmistress” in
American history alongside another widow appointed by the president the same day. When Vicksburg fell, the 45th Illinois was given the honor of being the first to march into the city
and had its regimental flag raised over the courthouse.
CONDITION: Very good with crisp inscription and attractive aged patina on the grip frame, mostly silver-gray patina on the iron overall, some minor pitting, crisp markings, and generally mild overall wear. The grip is also very good and has some dings and scratches, mild edge wear, several hammering dents on the butt, and mild handling wear. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 3238
Historic Civil War Presentation Cane Inscribed to Colonel Nicholas Greusel, Commander of the 36th Illinois Infantry - This Civil War presentation cane is inscribed “Presented to/NICHOLAS GREUSEL/Col. 36th Ill. Vols./from the SURVIVING MEMBERS of his/OLD REGIMENT/at their reunion Aurora, Ill./Sep. 23rd 1875.” Nicholas Greusel (1817-1896) emigrated from the Kingdom of Bavaria to the United States as a teenager. He moved to Detroit, serving as a politician
for two years, and leading a company of Michigan volunteers during the Mexican-American War, eventually moving to Illinois. With the
outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, Greusel was leading a company of militia in Aurora, Illinois, but was soon appointed colonel of the “Fox
River Regiment” by the governor, which later become the 36th Illinois Infantry. Greusel and the 36th Illinois served most of their time in the
western theater of the war, taking part in the battles of Pea Ridge, Perryville, the Siege of Corinth, and Stone’s River before Greusel resigned
his commission on 7 February 1863. The 36th went on to take part in the battles of Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Resaca, Pine Hill, Kenesaw,
Peach Tree Creek, Spring Hill, Franklin, and Nashville. By the time the regiment was discharged in Springfield, Illinois on 27 October 1865
they had lost 11 officers and 193 enlisted men killed in action, and one officer and 127 enlisted men to disease. Apart from the inscription,
the gilt knob shaped grip has floral scroll engraving and inscriptions of some of the previously mentioned battles in alternating side
facets. It is joined to a smooth shaft that may be ebony and is tipped with brass. It measures 37 inches overall.
CONDITION: Very good overall, the grip showing most of the bright gilt finish with some scattered minor dings and dents, and the shaft
having some scattered light handling marks and scuffs. An interesting piece of history from the Western Theater of the Civil War!
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 3239
Excellent Bronze Bust of General Ulysses S. Grant - Made by German/Confederate artist Frederick Volck (1833-1891). Volck,
a native of Nuremberg, Germany who immigrated to Richmond, VA, and was employed in the Confederate Naval Ordnance Dept. during the Civil War. The bust was sculpted in 1869 after the Civil War and when General Grant became President Grant. The state of Virginia, as well as Frederick Volck, were grateful for the way that General Lee was treated by General Grant at Appomattox. The bust is a symbol of that appreciation and was
presented to President Grant during one of General Lee’s trips to Washington to talk with the President after the war. The bronze rests on a black marble base and weighs approximately 50 lbs. The front of the bronze is marked “U.S. GRANT” in block letters and the back of the bronze is inscribed “U.S. PRESIDENT/FREDERICK VOLCK/1869/RICHMOND,VIRGINIA”. Measuring 19 inches high, 10 3/4 inches wide, and 6 1/2 inches deep.
CONDITION: Excellent overall with limited storage and handling marks as well as an attractive patina.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
36TH ILLINOIS INFANTRY AT THE BATTLE OF STONES RIVER
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LOT 3240
Exceptional and Scarce 1835 Dated U.S. Ames Model 1832 Foot Artillery Sword with Scabbard - Patterned after a French design, the Model 1832 was intended to serve as a utility tool as much as a defensive weapon, with a heavy weight blade suitable for chopping brush to build barricades or clear a path for a cannon. Sword measures 25 1/4 inches long overall, with a 19 1/8 inch straight triple fuller blade, bearing the two-line Ames address on one
side and “UNITED/STATES/1835” on the reverse. Single piece brass hilt with “JM”, “ORD.” and “HKC.” inspection initials marked on the guard, with a scaled grip and American Eagles on the pommel. Includes the original brass fitted black leather scabbard.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, blade exhibits attractive bright surfaces, with defined edges. Brass is bright, with verdigris visible in the scales of the handle. The leather is very fine with a few cracks and a coat of wax on the outer surface.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500