The smoothbore barrel has a dovetailed nickel-silver front sight and is marked "J.G. SYMS" on top by the breech. John G. Syms was a New York gunmaker in the mid-19th century. William Syms of Blunt and Syms of New York was his brother. The lock is marked "J. MULLIN" and has scroll engraving. The furniture is German silver. The escutcheon on the back of the wrist is inscribed "Maj./P.W.P.", and the spurred trigger guard is inscribed "Captd. at the Battle of Antietam." The saw handle style stock has a checkered wrist. The pistol is equipped with a single set trigger. Major Philip W. Plummer enlisted on April 23, 1861, in Company C of the 6th Wisconsin Infantry, was promoted to 1st lieutenant just four days later, promoted to captain of Company G on October 23, and then major on April 12, 1864. He was killed in the Battle of the Wilderness on May 5, 1864. The 6th Wisconsin saw action in the Eastern Theater throughout the war and was part of the famous Iron Brigade. They fought at Second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, and Five Forks. At Antietam where this pistol is identified as capture, the 6th Wisconsin Infantry was heavily engaged and led a charge through the woods and into a cornfield. After the charge, 150 of the 6th's 280 men had been killed or wounded, and the Iron Brigade suffered 343 of its 800 officers and enlisted men wounded or killed in the battle. May 5, 1864, was the opening of the Battle of the Wilderness. The 6th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment suffered nearly 50 casualties in a matter of minutes when the Iron Brigade's exposed flank was attacked by the Confederates led by Brigadier General George P. Doles during the fighting at Saunders Field.

Fair. The furniture has aged patina, distinct inscriptions, and mild dings and scratches. The lock and barrel have gray and brown patina and moderate oxidation. The nipple is chipped. The stock is also fair and has chips, cracks, and moderate overall wear. The set trigger needs work. The lock is mechanically fine. This is definitely an interesting American dueling pistol with inscriptions tying it to some of the critical battles of the Civil War.