Page 75 - Auction84-Book2

LOT 1159
Incredibly Fine Eagle Pommel Mounted Infantry Officer’s Saber with Silver-Gilt Hilt and Engraved and Gilded Scabbard - This beautiful
c. 1830 officer’s saber measures 37 1/4 inches from the distinctive eagle pommel to the tip of the curved blade
and remains in outstanding condition. The blade has gold highlighted floral and martial motifs that pop on the niter blue backgrounds which terminate in scroll patterns. The silver hilt was gilded and has spread wing eagle and shield languets, a scroll finial, oak leaf and acorn pattern relief cast knuckle bow, an antique bone
grip with checkering and incised lines, and a highly detailed eagle pommel. The gilded brass scabbard has engraved floral patterns as well as a spread
wing eagle and shield centered between the bands. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine with nearly all of the bright original niter blue and gold
finish remaining on the excellent blade which has minimal wear, dark aged patina and traces of original gold on the hilt along with crisp details, slight gaps at the ends of the grip but otherwise minor wear on the grip, strong original gilding at the mouth of the scabbard and otherwise aged patina and crisp engraving on the balance, and generally minor overall wear. This is easily among the highest condition American eagle pommel swords extant and would be incredibly difficult to improve upon. Estimate: 5,000 - 6,500
Scarce Documented U.S. Springfield Model 1841 Cadet Percussion Musket with Bayonet - NSN, 57 cal., 40 inch round bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. These scarce muskets were manufactured by Springfield Armory in 1844-1846, with a total of approximately 504 manufactured. With the recent adoption of percussion weapons by the regular army, the Ordnance Board realized that it would be necessary to train their future officers with similar weapons. So, in 1841 the board requested such an arm from Springfield Armory that was to be of .57 caliber with a 40 inch barrel, casehardened percussion lock, and browned barrel and mountings. These muskets were used for drill by the West Point Corps of Cadets until 1856, when they were replaced by the rifled variant of the Model 1851 Cadet. Model 1841 Cadet muskets are described on pages 184-188 of George D. Moller’s book “American Military Shoulder Arms, Volume III” with the lock of this exact musket pictured at the top of page 187. A stud for a socket type bayonet is positioned on the bottom of the barrel near the muzzle, and the barrel is fastened to the stock by three barrel bands secured by springs. “SPRING/FIELD/1844” marked at the tail of the lock and an eagle/shield motif above “US” marked at the center of the lock. “V/P/eagle head” proofs marked on the left breech end of the barrel, and an “1844” dated barrel tang. “US” marked buttplate tang. A “+” carved into the left stock flat and a partially legible name carved into the left of the buttstock that appears to read “Thomas/A”. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes a US socket bayonet and reproduction leather sling. CONDITION: Very good, retaining half of the original brown finish with some light pitting and some patches of light dings on the barrel. Lock turned to a mix of mottled brown and gray patina with strong traces of casehardened finish on the hammer. Crisp markings in the metal overall. Stock is good with scattered mild scratches, dents, chips, a few chips in the ramrod channel, a crack ahead of the rear lock screw, a crack running behind the lock and up the wrist, a crack on the left of the wrist, and carvings as mentioned above. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet is very good with sharp edges and some scattered light pitting. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 1161 U.S. Springfield Model 1847 Percussion Cavalry Saddle Ring Musketoon - NSN, 69 cal., 26 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. Approximately 5,802 Model 1847 Cavalry Musketoons were manufactured c. 1848-1859. These musketoons were used by the Army in conflicts with Native Americans in the 1850s and during the Civil War. This musketoon is of the standard pattern with the ramrod retention swivels. “1853” dated lock and barrel tang. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Model 1847 cavalry musketoons are described on pages 223-232 of “American Military Shoulder Arms, Volume III” by George D. Moller. CONDITION: Good with some scattered light to moderate pitting on the otherwise bright surfaces and crisp markings in the metal. Stock is very good as lightly sanded and re-oiled, with scattered light scratches, some dents on the left of the forend, and a chip on the right of the forend. The ramrod assembly is a modern replacement. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,500 LOT 1162 U.S. Springfield Model 1847 Artillery/Cadet Alteration of a Sappers Percussion Musketoon - NSN, 69 cal., 26 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. These Artillery/Cadet alterations of Sappers Musketoons are described on pages 237-238 of “American Military Shoulder Arms, Volume III” by George D. Moller. According to Moller, 1,030 total Springfield Model 1847 Sappers Musketoons were originally manufactured from 1847-1856. Reportedly, 228 of these were altered circa 1856-1857 to the Artillery configuration for use by military academies by removing the saber bayonet guide and lug, adding a lower stud for use with a socket bayonet (this example never had a lower stud added), removing the sling swivels, and changing the original button-headed ramrod to a trumpet- headed ramrod. The front barrel band has a brass blade front sight on the forward strap. “1854” dated lock, and a boxed script “JS” inspection cartouche marked on the left stock flat. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the bottom of the buttstock. CONDITION: Good with scattered mild pitting and corrosion, a filled in section where the bayonet guide was on the right towards the muzzle, a removed saber bayonet lug on the right of the front barrel band as noted above, and nice lock markings. Stock is also good with scattered scratches, dents and chips, an absent section at the toe, and a nice cartouche. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
73
LOT 1160
Collector’s Fact
Only approximately
504 U.S. Springfield Model 1841 Cadet Muskets were manufactured.
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK AMERICAN MILITARY SHOULDER ARMS, VOL. III BY MOLLER