August 18 & 19, 2020 Edged Weapons, Armor, & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/18/2020
Profusely covered with raised carving, this is a wonderful example of a favorite pastime of Civil War soldiers, carving pipes. From its design elements, this was likely done for the soldier at or near his muster out in 1863, since it bears his regiment's last battle honor, but is likely wartime, since it prominently mentions General McClellan, whose star had faded considerably by war's end. The pipe was carved by or for Private John Crawford of the 18th New York. One of the late Norm Flayderman's projected books was going to be an examination of this art form. This one would have merited a prominent place. The pipe bears Crawford's name and unit, the names of the first and last commanders of the regiment, the regiment's battle honors, along with an eagle, flag, U.S. shield, and patriotic mottoes. The top of the bowl is circled with two names. Prominent on the front is "MAJ. GEN GEO.B. McCLELLAN SOLDIERS FRIEND," positioned so that his name is at the center. Whatever his faults as a general, McClellan did inspire devotion in his soldiers. On the reverse of the bowl at the top is "COL. W.A. JACKSON 1861'" first commander of the regiment, which mustered in 1861. This is matched lower down on the aperture for the pipe stem, below a stylized ribbon bow, by "1863" and "COL. GEO.R. MEYERS," the date of the regiment's muster out and their last commander. The face of the bowl is carved with a wonderful eagle with raised wings and a brass tack for an eye, perched on top of a U.S. shield with "LIBERTY" above the vertical stripes. A stars-and-stripes flag juts out at an angle to either side of the eagle. On the viewer's left the flag bears the motto "RALLY ROUND IT." The flag on the viewer's right bears "18 N.Y.V." Conforming to the edges of the U.S. shield, four lines of lettering reading: “JOHN CRAWFORD Co. F BULL RUN 1861/ WEST POINT MECHANICSVILLE GAINES HILL [sic] / SAVAGE STATION CHARLES CITY CROSSROADS/ MALVERN HILL BULL RUN CRAMPTONS GAP ANTIETAM FREDERICKSBURG 1862.” These battle honors are completed on one side of the bowl that bears a 6th Corps Greek Cross badge with two concentrate rings of lettering: 6th CORPS / GRAND ARMY OF THE POTOMAC," and "FREDERICKSBURG 1863," The other side panel has a medal carved in the shape of superimposed Maltese crosses with the motto: "THE UNION MUST AND SHALL BE PRESERVED." While the Maltese cross was the badge of the 5th Army Corps, its presence here in the form of a medal is more likely to signify a medal for service. The 18th New York, nicknamed the "New York Rifles" recruited from several upstate New York counties, and mustered into service 17 May 1861 for 2 years service. It was at First Bull Run in 1861 and in 1862 took part in McClellan's Peninsular Campaign as part of the 6th Corps, fighting in the Seven Days Battles and being hard hit at Gaines Mill. Returning with the army to the Washington area, it fought at Crampton’s Gap, Antietam, and Fredericksburg. In 1863, it fought at Fredericksburg with the 6th Corps in the attempt to relieve pressure on Hooker at Chancellorsville. The regiment mustered out 28 May 1863, having lost 4 officers and 34 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded. Crawford had enlisted at Albany on 4/19/1861 at age 26 and mustered out with the regiment on 5/28/1863. CONDITION: Very Good. Minor age cracks. Very pleasant medium brown patina. Distinct, crisp raised carving without significant abrasion or chips. SR
Item Dimensions: 3" x 4" x 2 - 1/4".
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