November 15 & 16, 2022 Extraordinary Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/15/2022
This pocket watch with gold chain uses a Confederate cavalry bridle rosette as a fob and came from the Blackistone family of St. Mary's, Maryland. Several soldiers with that last name, or reasonable mistakes for it, show up in Confederate records. The 2 most likely men in the immediate family, however, both served in the First Maryland Infantry, so the owner remains uncertain, but the fob is a classic Confederate hollow stamped bridle rosette with petal edge and raised "C" for cavalry. The watch case is engraved on the front with an eagle with raised wings perched on crossed branches, rather than clutching arrows and an olive branch. The case measures 57mm and is marked "L. Perrin / Locle / Fine Silver." The cuvette is also marked with the same Swiss maker and town, along with "No. 134152" and "Patent Lever." Movement marked "L. Perrin, Locke". The bar on the back of the rosette has been removed and its base used as a stud for anchoring the watch chain. The lower edge of the rosette shows some damage, indicating it might be a souvenir from a close call, though it could be from removing the bar as well. CONDITION: Very good, though watch is not running. A very interesting memento of wartime service in the CS cavalry, with some potential for further research.