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.

A great Civil War leather set consisting of a Burnside carbine cartridge box and matching pistol cartridge box. Excellent condition with identical markings "William Kinsey & Co., Newark N.J." The leather is very pliable with no flaking at all on both boxes. You can saddle up and use them today. This set came from a personal grouping from a Maine estate. An absolutely untouched set, always together with matching maker marks on the leather.

Quarter plate ambrotype of standing Federal with arm around musket that could be a Model 1855. He wears an oil cloth cap cover as well as a Rhode Island hat insignia, white buff shoulder sling with outline of cartridge box and a plain square brass belt plate. No glass - never had one and the ambrotype is sealed as it were a daguerrotype. Has two names scratched into back plate. Case is absolutely original to the image and in excellent condition with a perfect hinge.

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.

Obtained directly from the Heritage Civil War Auction of 2009, a classic and historical artillery officer's frock coat worn by a young officer who saw hard fighting in the Petersburg Campaign. This is a choice example of a Civil War regulation artillery officer's coat that saw genuine service. The fine quality wool garment retains its original eagle "A" buttons (one missing on rear), with distinctively tailored sleeves ballooning at the elbows and narrowing dramatically at the cuffs. The high 1 1/2" tall collar is pleasingly lined in midnight blue velvet and the interior has the typical quilted, green polished cotton body lining and plain white cotton sleeve lining. The lining shows some fraying and there is a small tear at the collar. The coat is in very sound condition and shows its period use, with a few minor moth nips and one very small tear at one underarm and another at the back. There is also a repaired section at the back of the collar.

This historic garment was worn by 2nd Lieutenant Charles H. Boone, Battery H, 2nd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery and is accompanied by a note penciled by the family and kept inside the coat's breast pocket giving Boone's history. It reads "Charles H. Boone / muster in Mar 7 63 / Discharged out Oct 4 64 / 2nd Lt. in Batt H / 2nd Pa Vol Heavy Art. / Recruited in Phila / DC Defenses till / 27 May 64-ordered / to join A of P-18AC / 2nd Bde 2 Div XVIIIAC / fought on 18 June 64-/ charge-&other combat / June-Aug 23 64-Lost / over half effective strength / 20 Sept 64-charge &/ repulse on Reb works behind / Ft. Harrison." The regiment was one of several heavy artillery units taken from the defenses of Washington for Grant's 1864 campaign and saw very hard fighting at Cold Harbor, the Wilderness, and throughout the siege of Petersburg, including the famed Mine Explosion. This coat has remained in two collections after emerging directly from the family nearly forty years ago. A fine and historic item with much character.