GUN FALL 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/4/2016
EXTREMELY RARE AFRICAN AMERICAN 9th US CAVALRY "BUFFALO SOLDIERS" ISSUED AND MARKED SHARPS CARBINE AND REMINGTON ARMY REVOLVER. SHARPS,REMINGTON CARBINE, NM ARMY 91825, 113680 52-70/44 Rarely seen are "as found" regimentally marked revolvers and carbines of the famous 9th U.S. Cavalry which consisted of entirely black enlisted men raised just after the Civil War. There are numerous fakes and frauds in this genre and represented here are two of the best, no doubt original "Buffalo Soldier" used weapons. The 9th Cavalry was one of the orig six regiments of the regular U.S. Army set aside for black enlisted men and the best known and hardest fighting. The 9th was authorized by Congress in the act of July 28, 1866 reorganizing the army for post-Civil War service, mainly against native peoples in the West. Colonel Edward Hatch, an officer with no military experience prior to the Civil War but who distinguished himself as the commander of an Iowa cavalry regiment during the rebellion, was the 9th's first commander. Initial recruiting efforts centered on New Orleans and vicinity. By February 1867, twelve companies were organized and on their way to Texas. Company K saw service starting at Ft. Stockton, Texas and served with valor in Apache Wars and against the Sioux and was one company assigned directly under Col. Hatch until his death. The regiment participated in numerous frontier campaigns, against the Comanche, the Ute, and most notably the Apache between 1877 and 1881. In the early 1880s it also engaged in efforts to restrain settlers seeking to take up land in Indian Territory before that area was legally open. In the 1870s the regiment was involved in the El Paso Salt War and in the 1890s it participated in efforts to restore order in the wake of the Johnson County, Wyoming Cattle War (1892) and railroad labor disputes (1894). Colonel Hatch remained in command until his death at Fort Robinson, Nebraska in April 1889. Forty-four of its soldiers were killed in action during this period, 28 against the Apaches. Eleven members of the regiment received the Congressional Medal of Honor for actions between 1870 and 1890. Sergeant Emanuel Stance was the first in 1870. He was followed by Sergeant Thomas Boyne, Private John Denny, Corporal Clinton Greaves, Private Henry Johnson, Sergeant George Jordan, Sergeant Thomas Shaw, Sergeant Augustus Walley, Sergeant Moses Williams, Corporal William Wilson; no other unit in any American War can claim such a feat. The two weapons offered here were property of Tig Sogoian and are 100% orig and authentic in every regard with original and correct markings on each "CO K / 9 CAV". Of the handful of surviving 9th Cavalry marked small arms these are both very rare survivors. PROVENANCE: Carbine - Ex-Charles Worman collection; Pictured on pg. 22 of "Firearms of the American West" Vol. II, 1985; Ex-Floyd Everhart, 2003; Estate of Tig Sogoian. CONDITION: Carbine is overall very good, orig and complete missing the lever latch. This is a Springfield Armory conversion of a Civil War carbine. Gun is "as found" showing distinct saddle wear and crisp 9th cavalry markings on frame and buttstock. Buttstock retains Civil War inspection cartouche and later Springfield Armory cartouche. Metal overall is brown/gray with iron patina, traces of color in protected areas. Mechanically gun functions well with good discernible rifling. Revolver is model 1858 Remington New Model Army made late in production (about 1870), overall very good with good markings including 9th cavalry markings on either side of frame, Remington patent marks are crisp and discernible as are SN's on bbl, frame and cyl. Bbl and frame both serial numbered 113680 and cyl is close with last 4 digits 3881 which is quite common for martial arms that parts were switched in the field as needed. Grips also have penciled last four digits of indiscernible serial numbers, there is also a large "K" stamped in right side of grip strap internally. Gun appears original as used with good overall aesthetics, including a matching fine, rare Indian War cavalry holster that fits gun well with broken stitching and crazing. 50763-2 JS (10,000-15,000)