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.

From the John Henry Kurtz Collection / Heritage Auction, we are proud to offer this wonderful identified grouping of John H. Ordway. His name is stenciled in black ink on the inside of the small four fold leather wallet. The wallet is further accompanied by a 2"X 2 1/2" ink script note that was attached to the wallet with the following information: "Jno H. Ordway D 11th N.H.V. Died Feb. 15th 1864, address Mrs. Travis E. Ordway Laurel, Mass." Doubtless his mother to whom the wallet was returned upon his death. John H. Ordway enlisted on the 13th of August 1862 at the age of 23. In contrast to the note, he is listed in records as having died on Feb. 24, 1864 at camp Nelson, Kentucky. During Ordway's term of service the regiment was engaged at Fredericksburg and Vicksburg. The wallet and the stenciling clearly show use but very good, sound condition. The wallet is accompanied by a folding soft brown kid leather case, in which it was apparently stored to provide further protection from the elements. A very nice personal set identified to a New Hampshire volunteer killed during the War.

From the John Henry Kurtz Collection / Heritage Auction, we are proud to offer this wonderful identified grouping of Albert Vaughan, 60th New York Infantry. Heart shaped 2 7/8" X 3 1/4" folding red and blue wool needle case with white silk back with some scattered mothing but intact and very sound. The silver star 12th Corps badge is 1 1/4" across the points with T-bar pin back with blue silk ribbon attached. Inscribed in block letters "A. C. Vaughan/Co. H/60th NYVV" indicating the badge was acquired after Vaughan's re-enlistmnet in December 1863. Vaughan enlisted in the 60th on September 21, 1861 and served with the unit until mustered out on July 17, 1865. The 60th New York was also known as "The St. Lawrence Regiment" and was engaged throughout the war including Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg where the regiment was instrumental in the defense of Culp's Hill. The regiment lost 67 men killed and mortally wounded. The set is accompanied by a period ink script tag, "This needle cushion was A.C. Vaughan's and carried through the War presented by Emma Fisher 1861". A great set with wonderful history.

Offered is a beautiful silver Civil War pocket watch identified to Lieut. William Barrett of the 48th New York Infantry. The watch has an outstanding inscription that reads "Presented To Lieut W Barrett By Co. F N.Y.S.V. 48th Reg. Fort Pulaski Jan 1st 1862" in fancy lettering and captions. The watch has no key so it may be in working order. The watch manufacturer is engraved on the back of the face along with a serial number.
William Barrett enlisted on 9/5/1861 at New York City as a Private. On 9/10/1861 he mustered into Co. "C" 48th New York Infantry. He was discharged on 7/5/1863. While in service, Barrett was promoted to 1st Sergt. and 2nd Lieut. on 1/1/1863. It is obvious the engraver made a mistake on the 1/1/1863 date and instead engraved 1862. Barrett was promoted to Lieut on 1/1/1863 and the Union forces arrived at Fort Pulaski in April of 1862 so the 1863 date is a mistake. Just mentioning for exactness.
Great personal item for the Civil War or New York Regiment collector.