October 22-23, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/23/2019
Captain Edward B.P. Kinsley fought in the Civil War with Massachusetts. He enlisted in Company B, Massachusetts 47th Infantry Regiment on September 19th, 1862. Promoted to Full Captain on December 24th, 1862. 47th Massachusetts record as follows: Duty at Carrollton, U.S. Barracks, Lower Cotton Press, Metarre Race Course and at Camp Parapet, Defenses of New Orleans, until August, 1863. Skirmishes at Amite River April 17, and at LaFourche Crossing June 20-21. Moved to Boston, Massachusetts, August 3-18, and mustered out September 1, 1863. He subsequently enlisted in Company H, Massachusetts 59th Infantry Regiment on March 11th, 1864, with whom he mustered out on November 10th, 1864. Service record for the 59th: Mustered in by companies January through April, 1864, for three years, with a total enrollment of 56 officers and 906 enlisted men. It reached Washington on April 28, 1864, moved by way of Alexandria, Bealeton, Rappahannock and Brandy Stations to Germanna ford, where it was assigned to the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 9th Corps. On May 6, it engaged in the battle of the Wilderness, where its losses counted 12 killed, 27 wounded and 5 missing. They next moved to Spottsylvania Court House, where it participated in the general action, meeting with a loss of 11 killed, 45 wounded and 3 missing. It was again in action with its division at the North Anna river, suffering a further loss of 38 in killed, wounded and missing. Moving to Cold Harbor, it joined in the general assault on June 3, again meeting with considerable loss. Throughout the autumn and winter, the regiment was in the trenches before Petersburg, occupying a position to the right of Fort Stedman. Since this pistol is engraved "Presented to B.P. Kinsley by Co. H 59th. Mass Vet Volunteers" we can assume this pistol was presented to him after January of 1864. The low serial number would indicate it was made during the war as this model was first introduced in 1861. The gun itself features nearly full coverage Nimschke engraving in scroll and punch dot pattern with inscription on left side of barrel. It is entirely silver plated and fitted with a set of ivory grips with the Eagle and Liberty grip panel. The silver is dulling and it appears that the cylinder has been cleaned. CONDITION: Traces of color on hammer. Grips excellent but loose. Fine bore and action. Included in the period display case is a very rare 1860 empty S&W ammo box with black and gold label that is in excellent condition with all aprons intact. It would appear that Kinsley was involved in some of the most traumatic battles of the Civil War and is amazing that he survived the war and into old age. DB