November 15 & 16, 2022 Extraordinary Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/15/2022
This musket is a silent witness to the bloodiest day in American history, as it was “secured” from rebel forces by an officer who faced the harshness of combat on that somber day. The stock is inscribed “Antietam Sept. 17th 1862 / A relict of rebeldom / Secured by Lieut B C Wilson 107th Reg NYV”. Benjamin Carr Wilson had enrolled in the regiment at age 31 on August 9, 1862 for 3 years and mustered in as First Lieutenant of Company I on August 11. The regiment left the state on August 13 and served briefly in the defenses of Washington before being assigned to the 12th Corps on September 12. They were thrown into action at Antietam just 5 days later, suffering 12 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, 46 officers and enlisted men who were wounded, and 5 declared missing. The regiment fought on the Union right. Their official report says of their initial advance: “During the whole time we had been under constant fire, and as we crossed the belt of woods were under a perfect hail-storm of shell, round shot, and musketry.”. While subsequently supporting Clothran’s Battery, Wilson’s Company I was 1 of 2 detached for skirmish duty: “Gen. Greene directed me to send two companies as skirmishers into the woods immediately in front . . . They did it in gallant style, but found the road and woods teeming with rebels.” Wilson likely recovered the rifle while going over the ground on which he had fought in the immediate aftermath of the battle or while visiting the field not much later. The 107th spent a brief time afterward posted at Harpers Ferry, but in November was doing picket duty at Blackburn’s Ford and Sharpsburg. Wilson contracted rheumatism during this period, one member of the company writing that he had to be carried on a march, and was hospitalized at the beginning of December. He submitted his resignation for health reasons and was honorably discharged on a certificate of disability. An 1882 affidavit submitted on his behalf for a pension claim indicated he suffered from it “ever since his return home from the army.” He died in 1888, aged 57. This “Relict of Rebeldom” features a 37” barrel in .58 caliber with brass blade front sight, 3 leaf flip up military rear sight graduated to 200, 400, and 600 meters, and bottom mounted bayonet lug for socket type bayonet (appears to be for an M1842 bayonet). 1 piece walnut stock with 2 double loop barrel bands and 1 single loop barrel band, sling swivels at middle barrel band and near trigger guard tang, cheekpiece on left side, and military style buttplate. Serial numbered on left side of barrel “11791” with matching full or partial serial numbers observed at buttplate, stock, all screw heads (screw head near breech is faint), rear sight, each barrel band, and both front and rear of trigger guard tang. Ramrod is numbered 973. Back action lock marked “PJ MALHERBE & Cie / A LIEGE”. Barrel is Belgian “ELG” proofed on left side of barrel with “(crown) / JH” on all major parts, this is a controller of proof (inspector) mark. CONDITION: Very good for its age in as found condition, with metal assemblies turned an even brown patina with original polish visible in well protected areas such as underneath barrel bands. Stock is very good with small handling marks throughout and minor crack near barrel tang and near hammer. Hammer will hold on half cock but not on full cock, falling forward immediately after being pulled to the rear. Bore is dark from period use with corrosive black powder with visible 4 groove rifling. This is an excellent example of an untouched battlefield recovered musket and would be difficult to upgrade.
Caliber/Bore
.58 Smoothbore
Manufacturer
P J Malberle & Co.
Paperwork
Folder of Research