November 15 & 16, 2022 Extraordinary Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/15/2022
This “Rebel’s Rifle” is a fine Kentucky Rifle signed "W. E" for William Evick. William Evick worked in Franklin, Pendleton County, West Virginia, circa 1820-1886. Rifle has a 32 - 1/2" octagonal .41 caliber barrel with deep rifling, rifle sights, with rear dovetail sight boss plugged and added notch sight mounted on tang, and signed in script "W.E.". Period conversion to percussion using original "C. ROBBINS" lock plate with double set trigger control. Full curly maple stock with brass hardware, including an engraved 4-piece patchbox with floral finial and release in toe. Complete with hardwood ramrod. The rifle bears a Virginia maker’s mark on one of the ramrod ferrules and bears a great capture inscription and presentation to a War of 1812 veteran as a battle trophy taken from someone who had tried to destroy the United States presented to veteran who had fought to preserve the country some fifty years earlier. The side plate is engraved, “A Rebels Rifle captured on the battlefield of Antietam 17 Sept. 1862.” The patchbox door bears a presentation inscription, “Presented to Samual Ward / Soldier of the War of 1812 by his nephews / L.W. Gosnell, M.T. Gosnell, / & Wm. L. Gosnell.” The Gosnells did not have military service at Antietam, but were from Maryland and were in a position to know or encounter many who did. Although they themselves were not in the military, they could have easily acquired the rifle from a Union soldier who captured it, bought it from an early relic hunter, or recovered it themselves since the battlefield would have been scattered with the remnants of battle. Samuel Ward is certainly the Samuel Ward referred to as an “Old Defender” of Baltimore in the War of 1812 when he died in Baltimore on July 29, 1867 at age 82. His sister Mary (1765-1826) had married Philip H. Gosnell about 1786, and one of their sons was Lemuel Ward Gosnell (1786-1876,) himself a War of 1812 veteran who served in Beasman’s company of Maryland militia in 1814. He takes first place in the presentation as nephew and his two sons, Matthew T. Gosnell (1825-1885) and William L. Gosnell ([unknown]-1899) follow as nephews once removed. There are several Samuel Wards in the Maryland forces during the War of 1812. Given his birth and death dates it should not take much to establish his unit. Regardless of his service, the rifle is great Antietam relic presented by the Gosnell’s to their uncle as a token of both victory and esteem from a key battle in the war to preserve the Union for which he had fought also. CONDITION: Overall good with metal flaking and turning a brown patina with some added browning on barrel, with period conversion. Brass shows evidence of old cleaning. Gun was most likely set back at one point in its career, possibly when converted to percussion. Forestock shows cracking and some missing strips of wood. Lock has some burnout around lock with wood missing. Dark pitted bore with sticky mechanics. DLM
Manufacturer
William Evick