Included with the musket, revolver, and pistol are framed documents relating to John Evans who served in the 5th New York Heavy Artillery during the Civil War. In the display are Evans' discharge papers which list him in Company K, 5 ft. 6in. tall, fair complexion, blue eyes, brown hair, and as mustering out at Harpers Ferry on June 25th, 1865. Also in the display is a tintype with colorized components and a purchase slip indicating Evans paid to retain his musket and equipment when he mustered out. The second frame includes a typed biographical sketch of Evans and a notarized letter stating that these items were retained by John Evans' descendants and came from "Mr. Fred and Mrs. Naomi Evans of Arlington, Virginia" through "Mr. and Mrs. Peter Sobers" to Bertram P. Sobers in 1958. The letter lists all three firearms as well as the original documents. Some of the biographical information conflicts with the original documents likely due to the confusing nature of Civil War documents, lack of documents available at that time, and/or transcription errors. The National Park Service database and period sources list two different men of the same name in the 5th N.Y. Heavy Artillery: one in companies A and I and the other in B and K. The Report of the Adjutant General lists the man of interest here as: "EVANS, JOHN-Age, 19 years. Enlisted, August 21, 1862, at Turin; mustered in as private, Co. B. Third Battalion, Black River Artillery, September 11, 1862, to serve three years, which became Co. K, this regiment [5th NY], December 31,1862, mustered out, June 26, 1865, at Harpers Ferry, Va." The Enfield 1853 rifle-musket was the second most widely used infantry weapon in the war. The only more commonly used arm was the fairly similar Springfield Model 1861. Enfields were used in nearly every major engagement. This example has a modified blade front sight, folding ladder rear sight, crown over "TOWER" at the tail of the lock, "BARNETT/LONDON" on the lock beneath the bolster, English proofs on the barrel, a socket bayonet with scabbard, and a leather sling.

This 1863 manufactured revolver has the standard markings and features of the military contract Model 1860 Army revolvers. All of the serial numbers match except for on the wedge (numbered "8933"). These revolvers were the third most popular Colt percussion revolver and the most widely issued revolver during the Civil War. The revolver comes with a "E. GAYLORD/CHICOPEE/MASS." marked flap holster.

This pistol was manufactured in the Civil War era for Merwin & Bray in New York City likely by Bacon Mfg. Co. in Norwich, Connecticut. It is only marked "MERWIN & BRAY [double stamped]/NEW YORK" on the barrel and "61" on the grip frame and grips, and has blade and hammer groove sights and smooth grips. The documents are discussed in A.