A rare firearm with Philadelphia association. Offered is a german Federal Navy M1849 musket with Philadelphia gun maker markings. The condition is nice but definitely saw plenty of action. The silver wash is gone from the forestock at the front of the lockplate. This musket has been fired a LOT, and there is considerable pitting around the nipple. All parts are original EXCEPT the front sling swivel is a modern-made correct replacement (rear is original). The front barrel band is an original and correct Potsdam band, but does not have the same crown/cypher as the other furniture. I have included a history of this firearm as to how it was imported into the United States.

The German Federal Navy M-1849 musket was manufactured in Suhl by Spangenberg & Consorten (S & C), a partnership composed of Spangenberg, Sauer & Sturm, C.G. Haenel, and Valentine Christoph Schilling. A total of 1,200 of these muskets were manufactured for use by the German Federal Navy, which only existed from 1848-1853. The German Federal Navy was created during the trouble with Denmark over the Schleswig Holstein region resulting in the First Schleswig War. The war was short lived, and eventually lead to a virtual stalemate, with the Danes remaining in control of the disputed territory. After the war the navy was dissolved. The Prussians purchased some of the ships and weapons, and the balance of the small arms were stored in the arsenal at the fortress of Mainz. The M-1849 musket was a composite of the M-1809 and M-1839 pattern Prussian muskets.
Apparently a handful of these rarely encountered German Federal Navy Muskets were imported into the United States during the American Civil War, likely by arms dealer and importer Herman Boker. Boker sold some of those muskets to the City of Philadelphia for the use of their Home Guard. The guns were then marked by the city at the breech with a three line, arced cartouche: CITY OF PHILADA. The muskets are further marked at the breech in a single line: A WURFFLEIN, who was a Philadelphia gun maker who also inspected arms for the City of Philadelphia. These marks on the musket make it clear that the guns did in fact reach these shores during the Civil War era.

An outstanding Mexican War pepperbox identified to Sgt. David B Stearns who served with the 1st Mass. Vol. Infantry during the Mexican War. The pepperbox exhibits a 160 year old patina throughout and is mechanically sound. The barrel is stamped "Patented 1837 Cast-Steel" along with markings on the hammer of "Aldene Patent". The grips are beautiful for its age with no cracks or chips present. The grips are flanked by two exquisite silver inlays with fancy period inscriptions on both sides. The larger silver inlay has the inscription "Presented to Serg't Stearns By The Brothers of Shawmut Lodge, No. 37, 1847" in six lines. The smaller silver inlay has the inscription "Boston Mass" in two lines.
Records of Sgt. David B. Stearns are included with the pepperbox. Records show that Sgt. David B. Stearns served with the 1st Massachusetts Infantry from December 17, 1846 through July 1848. He was born on October 6, 1822 in Boston, Mass. and his occupation was a butcher. In addition to Stearns service records at the National Archives, the records of the Massachusetts National Guard confirm that Stearns was with the 1st Massachusetts Regiment during the whole Mexican War Campaign.
The 1st Massachusetts Regiment was primarily given the duty of guarding supply lines and lines of communication. Although they were not engaged in major battles, their lives were in harms way from the Mexican insurgents attacking the trains and pickets. Hospital records of men from Company "A" had been treated for gun shot wounds and knife wounds and that some members of the regiment were killed by Mexicans, confirming the 1st Massachusetts had confronted the enemy in combat. A historic weapon from the Mexican War period identified to an officer who served throughout the campaign.

A M1858 Starr Army revolver with a serial number of #20026 on the cylinder, manufactured in 1861 during the Ciivl War. This revolver has strong cartouches stamped on both sides of the walnut grips and a generous amount of bluing on the frame and trigger guard. Bluing also present under lever on barrel. Government inspector marks are present on frame and barrel. The address on frame reads "Starr Arms Co. New York" on one side and "Starr's Patent Jan. 15, 1856" on the other. The walnut grips are in incredible condition with three cartouches you can see from "across the street." Mechanics are crisp. These revolvers were a favorite of the military during the Civil War due to their ease of replacing the cylinder. A trooper could carry spare cylinders and very quickly replace it in the revolver to rapidly continue firing. A well above average condition Civil War Starr revolver you don't normally find.

Offered is a Remington New Model Army revolver with early serial number of #46641 denoting Civil War period manufacure. The revolver has a generous amount of blue estimating at 85%-90% bluing. The mechanics are sound with a clear cartouche stamping on the walnut grip. An inspector mark of "M" is stamped in front of trigger guard. The barrel address reads " Patented Sept. 14, 1858 / Remington & Sons, Ilion, New York, U.S.A. / New Model". This model of revolver was one of the favorites of the Union Army during the Civil War due to its ease of changing cylinders and its strength and durability. This revolver is in extemely fine condition and would be an upgrade to most Remington New Model Army's on the market.

A nice honest untouched Colt Model 1860 Army revolver with early serial number of 9085. Known as the 4-screw type with the early address of "Address Col. Sam Colt New-York U.S. America." The "Colts patent" is stamped on the left side of the frame. This model has the 44 ca. Cylinder roll scene of the Battle of the Texas Navy and Mexico. All of the serial numbers match including the wedge. The walnut grips are complete with a minor notch on the right side. A cartouche is present but very light. The loading lever works and the gun is mechanically sound. No blue to be found but the barrell and casing exhibits a nice even look. The Colt M1860 Army revolver was the major revolver used by U.S. troops during the Civil War and 127,156 were acquired by the Union government for that conflict. An untouched revolver that was never messed with or taken apart.