Highlights from the Rock Island Auction Company’s Sept. 6-8, 2019 Premier Auction

Originally published December 2019 · p. 36

SOLD: $63,250 A most interesting First National flag bearing eleven stars and the word “Artillery” on the white bar. This flag has been in a prominent collection but so far has defied attempts at its identification. There are not many Confederate First National artillery flags in existence to date, which will certainly add to the value of this banner. The First National Flag: After the secession of the first seven states, which became independent republics, they met in Montgomery, Alabama in February 1861 to form a new nation, the Confederate States of America.

LOT1195-Very Scarce Documented Historic Civil War Berdan Sharpshooters Sharps New Model 1859 Rifle with Double Set Triggers and Bayonet. SOLD: $25,875 This is an example of a Sharps New Model 1859 rifle that was manufactured in 1862 as part of a 2,000-gun contract to arm the 1st and 2nd United States Sharpshooter Regiments (Berdan’s Sharpshooters). The rifle has the distinctive combination of double set triggers and front sight stud for angular socket bayonet that are found on all of the 2,000 M1859 rifles ordered by the Ordnance Department on January 27 and February 6, 1862, at the request of Colonel Hiram Berdan for issue to the U.S. Sharpshooter Regiments. Most of the documented Berdan Sharps rifles are found in the 54,374-57,574 serial number range. This rifle, serial number 54,478, is listed on page 98 of SHARPSHOOTER by Wiley Sword as one of 47 Model 1859 Sharps rifles identified by Sword in the correct serial number range with double set triggers and angular bayonet mount. Approximately 180 of the Sharps rifles purchased for Berdan’s Sharpshooters were issued to the famous 42nd Pennsylvania Infantry (Bucktails) in August 1862 and were used by that hard-fighting regiment throughout the Civil War.

LOT3027-Fine Civil War Production New Haven Arms Company Henry Lever Action Rifle. SOLD: $46,000 This Henry lever action rifle was manufactured by the New Haven Arms Co., early in 1864. The serial number of this rifle, 4115, is very close to the serial numbers of two Henry rifles (4140 and 4178) listed in The Historic Henry Rifle by Wiley Sword as being inscribed to members of the 7th Illinois Veteran Volunteer Infantry. The 7th Illinois was armed primarily with privately purchased Henry rifles in 1864. This rifle has the typical features found on early 1864 production rifles which include: (1) second style receiver which lacks a rear sight dove-tail, (2) nickel-silver square back rear sight, (3) large-diameter magazine follower and beveled follower cut in the receiver, (4) first style brass buttplate with rounded heel, (5) sling swivel on the left side of the stock and screwmounted loop for a sling hook on the left side of the barrel and (6) second style New Haven Arms legend with all serif characters.

LOT1193-Phenomenal, Finest Known, Second Year Production Martially Inspected U.S. Contract Civil War Colt Model 1860 Army Revolver with FourScrew Frame and Bullet Mold. SOLD: $184,000 This extraordinary U.S. contract Colt Model 1860 Army revolver was manufactured in 1861 and is the benchmark example for approximately 129,000 Model 1860’s purchased by the U.S. government as the primary handgun issued to the Federal cavalry from 1860–1863. This Model 1860 Army revolver has the four-screw frame with shoulder stock cut-outs. The butt is notched for a shoulder stock. Standard markings and features, including matching serial numbers throughout. The Ordnance inspector’s final inspection mark “ADK” (Andrew D. King) in an oval is stamped on the lower left side of the grip. “S” or “K” Ordnance subinspection marks are stamped on the right side of the barrel lug, top of the cylinder and trigger guard on the grip strap. LOT1200-Extremely Rare Civil War Confederate John Clark & Co. of New Orleans Pattern Bronze 12-Pound Field Howitzer with Carriage. SOLD: $287,500 This gun is similar to the U.S. Model 1841, 12-pounder howitzer. 12-pounders of varying designs were the most widely used smoothbore artillery pieces used during the Civil War and were made both within the U.S. and C.S.A. and imported from abroad. In Field Artillery Weapons of the Civil War by Hazlett, Olmstead, and Parks, the authors note that John Clark field howitzers could be easily misidentified as Model 1841s and note that six others have been located, and only one has identifying markings