GUN FALL 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/4/2016
RARE AND VERY FINE EARLY 2-PIN S&W OLD MODEL ARMY REVOLVER WITH DOUBLE INSCRIPTION OF PRESENTATION, CAPTURE AND RETURN BY MAJOR SAMUEL REID, 3RD ARKANSAS INFANTRY.SMITH & WESSON#2 ARMY64832Cal. 32. This early Smith & Wesson Army revolver is inscribed on left side frame "TO BROTHER CAPTAIN R R SWIFT FROM CHICOPEE MASONIC LODGE". Ripley R. Swift enlisted as a Captain in the 27th Massachusetts, October 16, 1861". He was wounded March 14, 1862 at Battle of New Berne, NC by a grapeshot to his leg. He was carried from the field to "a small Negro hut", a temporary hospital where he remained 4 days. After almost 3 months in the hospital, Captain Swift rejoined his regiment December 20, and served as Provost Marshal for 2 months. The 27th moved from Carolina to Virginia and took part in actions with Butler's advance up the James. "Early in the morning of May 16th, Heckman's Brigade of which the 27th formed a part was attacked by a superior force of the enemy, and after (unreadable) engagement was forced to fall back with a loss of capture of parts of 7 Co's of the 27th. Capt. Swift was among the captured. Taken first to Richmond where he was robbed of all his money, he remained in Libby Prison til June 1st; thence to Macon, Ga., where he lay two months; thence to Savannah, Ga., where he continued nine weeks; thence to Charleston where he was placed in the Charleston Jail under the federal fire; here he was confined three weeks; thence to Columbia, S.C., in which place he was a prisoner 4-1/2 months; thence, on Sherman's advance toward Columbia, he was transferred to Charlotte, N.C., thence to Greensboro and Raleigh, thence to Goldsboro, at which places he continued in aggregate 10 days. From Goldsboro he was taken to a point within 10 miles of Wilmington, N.C., at which he was exchanged". The right side of frame inscribed "CAPTURED AT [DREWRY'S] BLUFF, VA / MAY 16 1864 & RETURNED OCT. 1865 BY BRO. S.V. REID / MAJ CONFEDERATE ARMY". Samuel V. Reid according to attached records shows he was indeed at Drewry's Bluff for the date of the gun's and Swift's capture. What an interesting history of a Massachusetts Mason having his captured pistol by a fellow "Brother". Co. H, 3rd Arkansas "The Orphan Company", a fledgling company of only 33 volunteers while on their way to Virginia met Samuel V. Reid of Kentucky who had brought 30 of his fellow Kentuckian's down to Tennessee, looking for a regiment to attach themselves to. "It was proposed that the two groups of volunteers joined forces to fit out a full company for the 3rd Arkansas. The commissioned and non-commissioned officer appointments would be equally divided among the two groups, with Reid becoming captain and Gibson becoming 1st Lieutenant. Accordingly, the Kentuckians enlisted at Nashville on June 10; the Arkansans enlisted at Tyro on June 15; and the new company traveled to Lynchburg, Virginia, where it was assigned to the 3rd Regiment, Arkansas Volunteers, as Company H, July 1861. Colonel Albert Rust, regimental commander, referred to the company as "my orphans", a name which the men adopted as "The Orphan Company". In keeping with its cosmopolitan nature, Company H recruited quite a few Virginians during the war. During its four years of service, 116 men served in Company H, only nine of them remained when the company surrendered at Appomattox Court House." This is a rare and very fine, early Smith & Wesson Army accompanied by its well fitting military-style flap holster. A file of research accompanies. CONDITION: Fine overall, all matching. Frame and bbl retain over 50% of their bright orig blue finish. Stocks are sound and solid, retaining most of their orig varnish with a longitudinal glued crack repair on right stock. Mechanically gun is fine with crisp, well defined bore, slightly wobbly at hinge pin. Holster is in matching fine condition with craquelure, some bending and folding around plug end. 50984-1 JS (10,000-15,000)