November 15 & 16, 2022 Extraordinary Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/15/2022
An approximated 900 large size Navy revolvers were produced by the Bacon Manufacturing Co. during the early 1860s, with only an estimated 400 first type revolvers made. This early example, serial number 95, is fit with a 7 - 1/2" octagon barrel with 1-line address, blade front sight, and frame notch rear. 6-shot cylinder chambered in .38 rimfire. Scroll engraved spur trigger iron frame with 2-piece smooth walnut grips. The backstrap is inscribed "Presented to Col. Wm. Louis Schley as a / testament or the reward of the Officers of the / 8th Regt. Md. Vol. Baltimore Aug. 19, 1862". William Louis Schley was born in 1823 and served in the Mexican War as Sergeant Major of the 3rd US Dragoons, later serving during the Civil War when he helped organize not only his own 5th Maryland for the Union, but also the 4th, 6th, 7th and 8th regiments, officers of the latter presenting him with this revolver. Schley’s military career was not entirely happy. The 5th had organized at Baltimore in September 1861. Schley’s commission as Colonel dated to September 4. The regiment remained there until posted to Fort Monroe in March 1862, and only saw action in September when it joined the Army of the Potomac just before Antietam, suffering severely in the battle: losing 39 killed and 109 wounded. Schley had been absent, returned to find the regiment demoralized and desertion rampant. He tendered his resignation, but remained in command, certainly hoping for some improvement in fortune, but in 1863 was no better to him or the unit: most of the regiment and 28 of its officers were captured in Milroy’s defeat at Winchester at the beginning of the Gettysburg campaign, leaving Schley with but 3 line officers for the next year and relegated to garrison and guard duty. In the fall of 1864, the regiment was serving in the 18th Corps in the Petersburg campaign and Schley was busy commanding a brigade when quarrels among recently released officers broke out and General Butler, who must have been fed up, took action by relieving Schley of command and accepting his resignation on October 6, 1864. It is unclear if he got much relief in returning to Baltimore where his pro-Union sentiments and actions had caused him quite a bit of trouble, though those joining the Union army in the regiments he helped raise clearly thought well of him. William and his wife had 3 daughters and 3 grandchildren whom he was able to spend time with before his death in 1898. This revolver is accompanied by a folder of research which includes 3 original Civil War muster rolls for the 5th Maryland Regiment signed by Schley, copies of other documents related to his service, a photograph copy, and a commemorative aluminum advertising token with his likeness. CONDITION: Overall very good. Iron components display a pleasing gray patina with some minor areas of older oxidation. Hammer retains traces of case colors. Grips are very good showing some minor impressions throughout Strong bore with some moderate black powder pitting. Mechanically fine. Included period documents have some creasing and wear, remaining good overall. BAS
Paperwork
Muster Rolls, Information