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LOT 3130 Rare Ames Manufacturing Co. Model 1849 Rifleman’s Knife with Scabbard - Only 1,000 of these knives were purchased by the Ordnance Department from the Ames Manufacturing Co. in 1849 for issue to the U.S. Regiment of Mounted Riflemen. The Model 1849 Rifleman’s Knife has the distinction of being the first knife officially designed and purchased by the U.S. Army. The massive knife is 18 inches long and has an 12 inch spear point blade, cast brass cross guard marked with “WD” (William Dickinson) and “J.W.R.” (General James Wolfe Ripley) inspection marks, and slab-sided walnut grips with a distinctive brass lined thong hole in the pommel and three steel rivets. Between 1842 and 1854, James Ripley was Superintendent of the Springfield Armory in Massachusetts and later the head of the Ordnance Department at the beginning of the Civil War. The knife is complete with the original black leather scabbard with brass throat and tip. The throat has a round frog stud. The obverse ricasso of the blade is stamped with a “US” property mark over “WD,” and the reverse is roll-stamped “AMES MFG. CO./CABOTVILLE/1849” in three lines. The U.S. Regiment of Mounted Riflemen was originally authorized by an Act of Congress on December 1, 1845 and organized in the fall of 1846. They fought during the Mexican-American War, primarily armed with Colt Dragoon revolvers and U.S. Model 1841 rifles. Because the Model 1841 rifles did not have provisions for bayonets and they did not carry traditional cavalry sabers, the men needed suitable blades. The Model 1849 has similarities to other fighting knives from the era and was very well made. The Mounted Riflemen were sent to the Oregon Territory in 1849 and were subsequently assigned to garrisons in California. Many of the men deserted during the California Gold Rush, then at its peak. The unit was redesignated the 3rd Cavalry Regiment at the start of the Civil War, and many of the Model 1849 Rifleman’s Knives that were still serviceable saw use during the conflict. The 3rd Cavalry has been a part of many of the most important moments in U.S. military history since its creation. The 4th Squadron is still known as “Longknife.” CONDITION: Very fine overall, blade retains a bright polished surface with sharp edges, a few small patches of very light pitting, and crisp markings. The brass guard and scabbard fittings retain an attractive aged patina. The handle is very fine with a few light dents and handling marks. The leather on the scabbard is fine with some minor cracking. The Ames Model 1849 U.S. Mounted Rifleman’s Knife is the rarest and most desirable of all U.S. military knives and is typically found only in advanced U.S. martial arms collections. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 6,500 - 11,000
LOT 3131
Desirable Documented Mexican-
American War Era U.S. Harpers Ferry Model 1841 Percussion “Mississippi Rifle” with Accessories - NSN,
54 cal., 33 inch round bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. The Model 1841 is the first official percussion rifle adopted by the
U.S. Military. Harpers Ferry Armory manufactured approximately 25,296 Model 1841 rifles between 1846-1855. With most of these rifles receiving
various alterations, this example is of the original Harpers Ferry pattern with no alterations or provisions for a bayonet and still retains its original .54 caliber seven-groove rifling for use with patched round balls. Harpers Ferry Armory Model 1841 rifles are described on pages 110-115 of George D. Moller’s book “American Military Shoulder Arms, Volume III”, with this exact rifle photographed on pages 110 and 112. Fitted with brass blade front and fixed notch rear sights. It has standard markings and features including a browned barrel, casehardened lock, brass fittings, and a steel trumpet head ramrod with brass tip. 1845 dated lock plate and 1846 dated barrel tang. “JHK” (John Henry King) cartouche on the left flat of the stock. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes a correct pattern buffed sling, wood tampion, and extra nipple and tools in the patch box. CONDITION: Fine, retaining 50% thinned original brown finish on the barrel with light muzzle wear, some light scratches, and a small patch of light surface pitting a few inches behind the rear band. 90% plus vibrant refinished case colors remain on the lock with light fading on the hammer. Crisp markings overall. Brass fittings retain an attractive original aged patina. Stock is very fine with attractive original raised grain, some light handling marks and dents, a few chips on the edges of the forend, and sharp cartouches. Mechanically excellent. An attractive example of a Mexican-American War era Harpers Ferry U.S. Model 1841 “Mississippi Rifle”. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
LOT 3132
Scarce U.S. Colt First Model Dragoon Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 4588,
44 cal., 7 1/2 inch part octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. The First Model Dragoon is an important descendant of the famous Colt Walker revolver which debuted just
one year earlier and was meant for use by the U.S. Mounted Riflemen and U.S. Dragoons and saw use on the western frontier in the antebellum era and on the battlefields of the Civil War in both Union and Confederate hands. This specific revolver was manufactured in
1849. It has the distinctive First Model oval cylinder stops and brass square back trigger guard. The top barrel flat is marked “ADDRESS SAMl COLT NEW-YORK CITY”.
The left side of the frame is marked “COLT’S/PATENT/U.S”. Small inspection letters are present: “G” ahead of the trigger guard, “B” on the butt, “B” on the top barrel flat, “B” on the trigger
guard and “B” on the back strap. The butt is lightly hand inscribed “NCVA,” possibly in reference to a North Carolina volunteer artillery regiment. During the Civil War, for instance, Confederate North Carolina artillery units included the 1st Artillery (10th State Troops), 2nd Artillery (36th State Troops) and 3rd Artillery (40th State Troops) while the Union had
the 1st North Carolina Heavy Artillery Regiment (redesignated 14th U.S. Colored Artillery Regiment). Matching full or partial serial numbers are on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, back strap, cylinder, loading lever, wedge, and cylinder pin. Only an estimated 7,000 Colt First Model Dragoon revolvers were manufactured in 1848 to 1850. They are important to collectors of antique American revolvers in general and Colts in particular as one of Samuel Colt’s large “holster pistols” descended from the famous Colt Walker.
CONDITION: Good with a smooth gray patina, pitting, slight traces of the cylinder scene remaining, attractive mellow patina on the brass and grip with repair and small chip near the bottom, high edge wear and minor handling marks. Mechanically fine. A solid representative example of a Colt Dragoon revolver with well-defined character.
Provenance: The George Moller Collection.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
Important Historic Note
Only 1000 Ames Model 1849 Rifleman's Knives were purchased by the U.S. Ordnance Department for issue to the U.S. Regiment of Mounted Rifleman. In addition to the knife, this regiment was issued Model 1841 Mississippi Rifles and Colt Dragoon Percussion Revolvers.
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK AMERICAN MILITARY SHOULDER ARMS, VOL. III BY MOLLER
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