Page 49 - sept_2022

by John Sexton

Q: Hello, Mr. JS: This knife is indeed a reproduction.
Sexton. Here in the It is of the type commonly seen at gun
UK, we obviously shows, flea markets, and other venues,
do not have many usually offered well below prices normally
items from the asked for original examples. You will not
US Civil War so find authentic knives stamped with dates
I assume that this and “CSA.”
is a reproduction. A reproduction of a Civil War knife,
The cross guard is bought in the UK.
marked “CSA 1863.” I would value your opinion to set my mind at rest. Dates and “CSA” are not found on authentic
Many thanks. Civil War knives.

Q: Hi, John. This item came up for auction about five years ago on eBay. I’m curious if this was a military document, something issued to soldiers,
I was very interested because my 3rd great-grandfather Samuel Creek is printed in 1862 or after the war? Looks like McLean was born in Scotland
listed on this document. I lost the and died before 1910.
auction but kept in touch with the The guy who sold it to me said it was a military document issued to
buyer, and he recently contacted me soldiers, but I don’t know what his source of info is. Do you think I got a
and said he was willing to sell it for good deal at $100?
$100. Without hesitation, I bought it.
I have no interest in selling it, but JS: This document is known as a soldier’s memorial or an escutcheon.
I am looking for more info on this. As There were many varieties published near the end of the war up until
you can see in the lower right, it’s an the late 19th century. Most are very scarce as they were generally sold
(Alexander) McLean lithograph, and on subscription to an individual soldier.
also at the bottom, it says, “Entered This particular one is for a company in the 3rd Iowa Cavalry which
according to Act of Congress AD 1862 was a hard-fought unit in the Western Theater under General Wilson.
by CA Johnson in clerk’s office of the There are unfilled blank spaces for the soldier’s information and photo
District Court of Mo.” that were not used.
A escutcheon for a soldier in the Third Typically, escutcheons sell at Civil War shows for between $100 and
Regiment of Iowa Cavalry, $100-$300. $300, though some have brought much more in special circumstances.

Q: Mr. Sexton, I am writing hoping you can help me identify a pistol that Q: I have one follow-up question that I’m hoping you can answer. The
has passed down through my wife’s family from her great-x?-grandfather. owner of the revolver Alexander Maxwell was a corporal in a Georgia unit
The original owner of the pistol in my wife’s family was Alexander of the Confederate Army. Even if this was a common revolver among officers
Maxwell, who to the best of our knowledge, served the CSA in a Georgia in the Union Army, I assume that during the Civil War it was not uncom-
unit during the Civil War. Family lore has it that the revolver in question mon for a soldier of either side to end up with the weapon of an adversary.
was used by Alexander during the war. Any additional info you can provide on this question is appreciated.
With the passing of my father-in-law Perry Maxwell, we, unfortunately,
lost any additional family knowledge about the revolver in question. The JS: Anything is possible. This pistol would have been a treasure for a
weapon bears the markings, “Colt’s Patent” on the cylinder and “????? Saml Confederate soldier to find. It was rare for an enlisted infantryman to
Colt New York City” on the top of the barrel. It has the number 201806 carry a pistol, but no doubt some carried home Yankee souvenirs.
(or possibly 207806) (serial number??) in several places on the weapon.
There also is some worm etching around the cylinder. Finally, there is a
small “G” stamped on the left side of the weapon just behind the trigger.
Thank you in advance for any help you can provide.

JS: Your pistol is a Colt model 1849 pocket revolver in .31 caliber with
an apparent 4-inch barrel. They were made in three-barrel lengths, 5
inches and 6 inches, being other choices.
The serial number 201,000 or 207,000 range are both made at the
height of the Civil War in 1862. The revolvers were popular among
officers in the Union Army and inscribed and identified examples exist.
Yours appears in average good to very good condition with a
partially readable, etched cylinder scene that depicts a stagecoach
robbery. Average examples like this with no history and functioning can
be found at Civil War shows or in auctions for $600-$900. A .31 caliber Colt model 1849 pocket pistol, $600-$900.

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