Skip to main content
Rock Island Auction Company
AuctionsConsignmentBlogFAQNewsAbout Us
Create Account
Login
AuctionsConsignmentBlogFAQNews & EventsAbout Us
Login
Create Account

History Lives Here

Rock Island Auction Company
1-309-797-15001-800-238-8022[email protected]
RIAC Rock Island
7819 42nd Street West
Rock Island, Illinois 61201, USA
8:00am - 5:00pm, Mon - Fri
RIAC Bedford
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, Texas 76021, USA
8:00am - 5:00pm, Mon - Fri
Navigation
  • Auctions
  • Consignment
  • Blog
  • FAQ
  • News
  • About Us
More Info
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Job Postings & Careers
  • Contact
  • Order a Catalog
© 2025 Rock Island Auction Company. RIAC believes that this website is accessible to the widest possible audience pursuant to the guidelines of the Americans with Disability Act. Click here for more information.
Healthcare Transparency in Coverage.
  • Auction Catalog #84
  • Lot #1171
Lot #1170
Lot #1172

Lot 1171: Civil War 27th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment National Guidon

Attractive Framed Civil War Company/Flank 34 Star National Guidon with Subsequent Added 27th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment "God Save the Union" Markings

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: December 4, 2021

Lot 1171: Civil War 27th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment National Guidon

Attractive Framed Civil War Company/Flank 34 Star National Guidon with Subsequent Added 27th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment "God Save the Union" Markings

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: December 4, 2021

Estimated Price: $2,500 - $5,000
Price Realized:
Login to view
Login to view

Attractive Framed Civil War Company/Flank 34 Star National Guidon with Subsequent Added 27th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment "God Save the Union" Markings

Manufacturer: None
Model: None
Type: Other
Gauge:
Barrel:
Finish:
Grip:
Stock:
Item Views: 1600
Item Interest: Very Active
Serial Number:
Catalog Page: 76
Class: Other
Description:

This 34-star silk national flag has been subsequently marked for the 27th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment by an unknown party. Union infantry regiments during the Civil War were typically issued a national color and state color which were both typically 6 feet by 6 feet 6 inches. Smaller flags, usually of the national pattern, were sometimes issued to each individual company in the regiment as a guidon or at the least to the flank companies to help with organization on a smoke filled battlefield. The 27th Massachusetts was raised in 1861 from the western counties of the state and took place in various minor and major engagements during the war including Roanoke Island, New Bern, Proctor's Creek, Cold Harbor, and Petersburg, before being mustered out in June of 1865. It is noted that in March of 1865 when the 27th was attacked at Wise's Forks, nearly their entire brigade was captured after resisting for over an hour against an entire rebel division, and their regimental colors barely avoided capture. This was due to the quick thinking of Color Sergeant McCleary and Color Corporal Cummings who, both wounded, rolled up the colors and hid them under a log where they were later recovered by members of the regiment. It is possible that this guidon was among those hidden colors. Between October 1861 and June 1864 the regiment was issued eight flags (may be only referring to national and state colors), of which three were retained by the state of Massachusetts. In all, 1,543 men served under the colors of the 27th Massachusetts during the Civil War, of which 121 were killed in combat, 132 died in Confederate prison camps, and 68 died of disease. This flag is approximately 31 1/2 inches tall and 33 1/2 inches wide excluding the gold fringe around three sides, and is in a typical 34-star, 13-stripe pattern. In the stripes marked with black is "ABRM. LINCOLN/GOD SAVE THE/UNION/27th Regt. Mass." There are various holes scattered throughout that have the appearance of battle damage. It is housed in a glass front frame that measures approximately 39 x 39 inches.

Rating Definition:

Fine as upgraded to current configuration using original flag as basis. Flags and guidons saw heavy use during the Civil War and being made of silk, few examples survived in any condition. The majority of the original color of the silk remains with the mild fading and staining, the staining most visible on the white stripes. More than half of the gold fringe around the edges remains and there are some scattered small holes throughout typical of battle use. The professionally made frame is very fine with some light handling/storage wear. An attractive addition to any Civil War or U.S. martial collection!



Customer Product Questions

There are currently no customer product questions on this lot

    Related Items

    Lot #1246: Framed Winchester Buffalo Bill Advertising Poster

    Lot #374: Vintage Framed American Aviation Fuselage/Envelope Art

    Lot #801: Suitcase of mostly World War II Military Artifacts

    Lot #116: Group of World War II Luftwaffe Uniform Items

    Lot #1053: Pair of The Dehner Company Inc. Custom Leather Riding Boots

    Lot #373: World War I U.S. Enlisted Aviation Tunic