HISTORIC UNIFORMS, SWORD, PAIR OF PHILADELPHIA DERINGERS, AND MILITARY ACCESSORIES OF LT. (LATER MAJOR) NATHAN BEAKES ROSSELL 5TH REG. U.S. INF.

HISTORIC UNIFORMS, SWORD, PAIR OF PHILADELPHIA DERINGERS, AND MILITARY ACCESSORIES OF LT. (LATER MAJOR) NATHAN BEAKES ROSSELL 5TH REG. U.S. INF. An outstanding grouping of military items of Lt. (later Major) Nathan Beakes Rossell 5th Reg. U.S. Inf. This grouping includes 1) Mexican War Period Officer’s Sword: A wonderful militia style eagle head sword with a 30” straight double edged blade with single fuller having etched patriotic designs across 60% of the blade including military trophies, an American eagle and floral designs. The counterguard is of gilded brass with double langets having a raised acorn and oak leaf design terminating with two leafed quillions. The grip is of carved ivory and the pommel of gilded brass depicting a full eagle with a serpent in its beak atop a rocky cliff. The scabbard is also of gilded brass with engraved floral designs incorporating an American eagle across 65% of the front face. The scabbard has two bands, 3 carrying rings and on floral stud mounted on the top band. 2) Mexican War Period Officer’s Dress Coatee: An 1845-1848 period dark blue wool tail coat with 20 silver eagle “I” buttons down the front marked “R&W Robinson, Extra Rich”, silver bullion bat wing cuff decorations, each with four silver cuff sized buttons, a tall stiff silver bullion decorated collar with four silver buttons, and a white flashed double split tail with two batwing decorations and a silver embroidered infantry horn insignia near the end of each tail. Two coat sized silver buttons rest at the back waist. White narrow piping is at the base of the collar, the front bottom edge of the coatee and outlining the batwing decorations on the cuffs and tails of the jacket. The interior of the coat is lined in white silk with a quilted and padded breast. Each cuff is functional and has a single silver eagle button for closure. 3) Early Pre-Civil War Junior Officer’s Frock Coat: Worn by Rossell during his early military career as a Quartermaster is this 1851 regulation company grade officer’s dark blue wool uniform coat. Of three quarter length, this uniform frock has a single row of 9 buttons all of that are brass eagle “I” buttons with the early backmark “Ackerman & Minor, New York” (RMDC). Three additional cuff sized buttons are present on each cuff and four on the tails of the coat. This frock coat exhibits very early features such as, nearly, 2” tall collar, narrow cuffs, quilted breast and long skirts. On each shoulder are six sewn grommets for tying on the shoulder strap rank insignia. The interior is lined in dark green polished cotton, pockets in dark brown polished cotton and the sleeves in yellow silk. Tails are unhemmed. 4) Officer’s Waist Belt: Rossell’s white buff leather waist belt is included having a 2-piece tongue and wreath gilt cast brass belt plate. The tongue has a fancy silver floral “U.S.” applied to the front of the disc. The wreath is marked “N.P. Ames. 5) Officer’s Waist Belt Sash: Rossell’s crimson officer’s sash is included. Silk with knotted tassels 6) Mexican War Era Field Grade Officer’s Dress Epaulets: A pair of very nice, early Mexican War to 1851 period full dress epaulets having gold silk embroidered tops, silver crescents and fringe. Made and marked by “Horstmann Sons & Drucker/New York” on the reverse, the undersides are covered in bright red silk and red dyed Russian leather. Each of them has a silver embroidered “5” sewn to the top, no rank is present but the size of the fringe indicates field grade rank. Accompanying the pair is an unknown silver embroidered “cuff” of unknown origin. 7) Pair of Philadelphia Deringers: Rossell’s matched pair of medium sized Deringer pocket pistols about .45 caliber, no serial number. Measuring 8 1/2” overall, their barrels are 4 ½ inches long. The back action locks are marked “Deringer/Phila.” as is the top breech of the barrels. These pistols are iron mounted with engraving on the lock plates, hammers, trigger guards, barrel tang, and bolster. One piece walnut stocks, grips checkered, with a small oval silver escutcheon on each grip behind the tang and a pair of silver escutcheons on each side of the forestocks around the barrel pin. Each has a pewter nosecap. Also included is an early 19th cent. wood trunk with orig hide cover. The hide and hair are worn. Nathan Beakes Rossell was the eldest son of General Zachariah Rossell, Militia General and Captain in the War of 1812. He joined the 5th U.S. Infantry as a 2nd Lieutenant at Fort Winnebago in 1838. He was commissioned 1ST Lieutenant in November 1840. He entered the War with Mexico and, while wounded in action, distinguished himself at the Battle of Monterey, Mexico in September 1846. As a result of his bravery he was brevetted Major of Volunteers in September 1847. He transferred to the 3rd U.S. Infantry entering the Civil War as a Major and was posthumously awarded the brevet rank of Lieutenant Colonel following his death in action during the Battle of Gaines Mills. CONDITION: 1)Very good. The blade is bright with strong, frosty etching and no spotting. The grip is cracked on both sides and shows a period brass pin repair on one side. The scabbard is very nice with no dents and moderate wear to the gold wash finish. The sword is missing a chain which once was attached to the eagle’s beak and terminated at one quillon. 2) The exterior of the uniform coat is very good with strong color, very minor moth spots, mostly in hidden areas, which do not detract from its appearance. The silver embroidered decorations have tarnished to a grayish color. The interior of the coatee shows wear and the silk white lining is quite frayed and splitting on the tails. The interior of the body is in much stronger condition. All buttons are original to the coatee and have the same backmark. 3) Good. This frock coat presents a fine appearance. All buttons are original and match, there are several small moth holes in, mostly, protected areas. The largest hole is adjacent to the third chest button from the bottom. The lining is worn and appears to have been removed from the skirts. This coat shows light wear and no abuse. .” 4) Good, the white leather is stained but in very good condition. The silver “U.S.” on the belt plate is partly lost. 5) Some fraying and damage but generally good. 6) Very good. 7) Good. The pistols are showing some light surface rust on iron parts, they function well. Stocks are worn, one is missing its ramrod. 4-32857 CW1 (35,000-45,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2008

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1349A	$18,400.00	HISTORIC UNIFORMS, SWORD, PAIR OF PHILADELPHIA DERINGERS, AND MILITARY ACCESSORIES OF LT. (LATER MAJOR) NATHAN BEAKES ROSSELL 5TH REG. U.S. INF. An outstanding grouping of military items of Lt. (later Major) Nathan Beakes Rossell 5th Reg. U.S. Inf. This grouping includes 1) Mexican War Period Officer’s Sword: A wonderful militia style eagle head sword with a 30” straight double edged blade with single fuller having etched patriotic designs across 60% of the blade including military trophies, an American eagle and floral designs. The counterguard is of gilded brass with double langets having a raised acorn and oak leaf design terminating with two leafed quillions. The grip is of carved ivory and the pommel of gilded brass depicting a full eagle with a serpent in its beak atop a rocky cliff. The scabbard is also of gilded brass with engraved floral designs incorporating an American eagle across 65% of the front face. The scabbard has two bands, 3 carrying rings and on floral stud mounted on the top band. 2) Mexican War Period Officer’s Dress Coatee: An 1845-1848 period dark blue wool tail coat with 20 silver eagle “I” buttons down the front marked “R&W Robinson, Extra Rich”, silver bullion bat wing cuff decorations, each with four silver cuff sized buttons, a tall stiff silver bullion decorated collar with four silver buttons, and a white flashed double split tail with two batwing decorations and a silver embroidered infantry horn insignia near the end of each tail. Two coat sized silver buttons rest at the back waist. White narrow piping is at the base of the collar, the front bottom edge of the coatee and outlining the batwing decorations on the cuffs and tails of the jacket. The interior of the coat is lined in white silk with a quilted and padded breast. Each cuff is functional and has a single silver eagle button for closure. 3) Early Pre-Civil War Junior Officer’s Frock Coat: Worn by Rossell during his early military career as a Quartermaster is this 1851 regulation company grade officer’s dark blue wool uniform coat. Of three quarter length, this uniform frock has a single row of 9 buttons all of that are brass eagle “I” buttons with the early backmark “Ackerman & Minor, New York” (RMDC). Three additional cuff sized buttons are present on each cuff and four on the tails of the coat. This frock coat exhibits very early features such as, nearly, 2” tall collar, narrow cuffs, quilted breast and long skirts. On each shoulder are six sewn grommets for tying on the shoulder strap rank insignia. The interior is lined in dark green polished cotton, pockets in dark brown polished cotton and the sleeves in yellow silk. Tails are unhemmed. 4) Officer’s Waist Belt: Rossell’s white buff leather waist belt is included having a 2-piece tongue and wreath gilt cast brass belt plate. The tongue has a fancy silver floral “U.S.” applied to the front of the disc. The wreath is marked “N.P. Ames. 5) Officer’s Waist Belt Sash: Rossell’s crimson officer’s sash is included. Silk with knotted tassels 6) Mexican War Era Field Grade Officer’s Dress Epaulets: A pair of very nice, early Mexican War to 1851 period full dress epaulets having gold silk embroidered tops, silver crescents and fringe. Made and marked by “Horstmann Sons & Drucker/New York” on the reverse, the undersides are covered in bright red silk and red dyed Russian leather. Each of them has a silver embroidered “5” sewn to the top, no rank is present but the size of the fringe indicates field grade rank. Accompanying the pair is an unknown silver embroidered “cuff” of unknown origin. 7) Pair of Philadelphia Deringers: Rossell’s matched pair of medium sized Deringer pocket pistols about .45 caliber, no serial number. Measuring 8 1/2” overall, their barrels are 4 ½ inches long. The back action locks are marked “Deringer/Phila.” as is the top breech of the barrels. These pistols are iron mounted with engraving on the lock plates, hammers, trigger guards, barrel tang, and bolster. One piece walnut stocks, grips checkered, with a small oval silver escutcheon on each grip behind the tang and a pair of silver escutcheons on each side of the forestocks around the barrel pin. Each has a pewter nosecap. Also included is an early 19th cent. wood trunk with orig hide cover. The hide and hair are worn. Nathan Beakes Rossell was the eldest son of General Zachariah Rossell, Militia General and Captain in the War of 1812. He joined the 5th U.S. Infantry as a 2nd Lieutenant at Fort Winnebago in 1838. He was commissioned 1ST Lieutenant in November 1840. He entered the War with Mexico and, while wounded in action, distinguished himself at the Battle of Monterey, Mexico in September 1846. As a result of his bravery he was brevetted Major of Volunteers in September 1847. He transferred to the 3rd U.S. Infantry entering the Civil War as a Major and was posthumously awarded the brevet rank of Lieutenant Colonel following his death in action during the Battle of Gaines Mills. CONDITION: 1)Very good. The blade is bright with strong, frosty etching and no spotting. The grip is cracked on both sides and shows a period brass pin repair on one side. The scabbard is very nice with no dents and moderate wear to the gold wash finish. The sword is missing a chain which once was attached to the eagle’s beak and terminated at one quillon. 2) The exterior of the uniform coat is very good with strong color, very minor moth spots, mostly in hidden areas, which do not detract from its appearance. The silver embroidered decorations have tarnished to a grayish color. The interior of the coatee shows wear and the silk white lining is quite frayed and splitting on the tails. The interior of the body is in much stronger condition. All buttons are original to the coatee and have the same backmark. 3) Good. This frock coat presents a fine appearance. All buttons are original and match, there are several small moth holes in, mostly, protected areas. The largest hole is adjacent to the third chest button from the bottom. The lining is worn and appears to have been removed from the skirts. This coat shows light wear and no abuse. .” 4) Good, the white leather is stained but in very good condition. The silver “U.S.” on the belt plate is partly lost. 5) Some fraying and damage but generally good. 6) Very good. 7) Good. The pistols are showing some light surface rust on iron parts, they function well. Stocks are worn, one is missing its ramrod. 4-32857 CW1 (35,000-45,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2008 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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