CIVIL WAR FROCK COAT OF GENERAL GEORGE CUSTER’S AIDE-DE-CAMP LT. FREDERICK A. NIMS 5TH MICHIGAN CAVALRY.

Frederick Nims was a childhood friend of George Custer being born in May 16, 1841 near Monroe, Michigan Custer’s home town. Nims entered service August of 1862 as a private in Company C, 5th Michigan Cavalry, he was 21 years old. Custer often promoted his friends to important positions in his inner circle that appears the case hereto. He was commissioned 2nd Lt. of Company F on January 12, 1864 and served as aide-de-camp on Custer’s staff from July to September 30, 1864. Nims is shown wearing this exact coat in only wartime CDV photos known. Nims is also shown sitting at Custer’s feet in famous group photo of his staff, Christmas Day, 1864, also in this same coat. David Ingall wrote a short biography on Nims for the newsletter of the Monore County Historical Museum, Volume 3, Issue 3, Page 3, 2008. “Lieutenant Nims fought alongside General Custer through most of the Civil War, from the Gettysburg Campaign to the surrender at Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia. The Nims sword that is in the Custer display at the Monroe County Historical Museum was taken by Frederick from a Confederate foe during the third days fight at the East Cavalry Battlefield of Gettysburg where the Fifth Michigan, as part of the Michigan Cavalry Brigade, defeated General Jeb Stuart’s Confederate Cavalry. He also participated in the Grand Review in Washington, DC and remained on General Custer’s staff after the war in Louisiana, Texas and Kansas.” Nims, along with another of Custer’s staff, James Kidd, served as the monument committee for the Equestrian Custer Monument unveiled in 1910. Coat is well made with polished green cotton lining, polished brown cotton pockets and sleeve linings, collar velvet lined. Cuffs measure about 5″ and elbows billow at 9″. This is a classic mid-war style coat with great aesthetics and color, with great provenance and direct family descent associated with one of America’s most iconic generals. PROVENANCE: Frederick Nims, Mrs. George V. Rhines (nee Annie F. Nims) 1921, donated to City of Toledo, November 5, 1938, de-accessed by Toledo Zoological Society, September 16, 1979. CONDITION: Fine overall. Coat has good color with hints of blue lining intact. Some stitching loose internally, cuffs and seams. Coat is missing tail buttons, though others intact. Cuff buttons are a mix of five staff and one enlisted with variety of back marks. Nine coat buttons are “EXTRA QUALITY”. Buttons and straps are re-sewn. 4-54475 JS (20,000-30,000) – Lot 1446

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Auction: Firearms - March 2015

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
	1446	$16,100.00	CIVIL WAR FROCK COAT OF GENERAL GEORGE CUSTER’S AIDE-DE-CAMP LT. FREDERICK A. NIMS 5TH MICHIGAN CAVALRY. Frederick Nims was a childhood friend of George Custer being born in May 16, 1841 near Monroe, Michigan Custer’s home town. Nims entered service August of 1862 as a private in Company C, 5th Michigan Cavalry, he was 21 years old. Custer often promoted his friends to important positions in his inner circle that appears the case hereto. He was commissioned 2nd Lt. of Company F on January 12, 1864 and served as aide-de-camp on Custer’s staff from July to September 30, 1864. Nims is shown wearing this exact coat in only wartime CDV photos known. Nims is also shown sitting at Custer’s feet in famous group photo of his staff, Christmas Day, 1864, also in this same coat. David Ingall wrote a short biography on Nims for the newsletter of the Monore County Historical Museum, Volume 3, Issue 3, Page 3, 2008. “Lieutenant Nims fought alongside General Custer through most of the Civil War, from the Gettysburg Campaign to the surrender at Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia. The Nims sword that is in the Custer display at the Monroe County Historical Museum was taken by Frederick from a Confederate foe during the third days fight at the East Cavalry Battlefield of Gettysburg where the Fifth Michigan, as part of the Michigan Cavalry Brigade, defeated General Jeb Stuart’s Confederate Cavalry. He also participated in the Grand Review in Washington, DC and remained on General Custer’s staff after the war in Louisiana, Texas and Kansas.” Nims, along with another of Custer’s staff, James Kidd, served as the monument committee for the Equestrian Custer Monument unveiled in 1910. Coat is well made with polished green cotton lining, polished brown cotton pockets and sleeve linings, collar velvet lined. Cuffs measure about 5″ and elbows billow at 9″. This is a classic mid-war style coat with great aesthetics and color, with great provenance and direct family descent associated with one of America’s most iconic generals. PROVENANCE: Frederick Nims, Mrs. George V. Rhines (nee Annie F. Nims) 1921, donated to City of Toledo, November 5, 1938, de-accessed by Toledo Zoological Society, September 16, 1979. CONDITION: Fine overall. Coat has good color with hints of blue lining intact. Some stitching loose internally, cuffs and seams. Coat is missing tail buttons, though others intact. Cuff buttons are a mix of five staff and one enlisted with variety of back marks. Nine coat buttons are “EXTRA QUALITY”. Buttons and straps are re-sewn. 4-54475 JS (20,000-30,000) – Lot 1446 Click here to view provenance Auction: Firearms - March 2015 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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CIVIL WAR FROCK COAT OF GENERAL GEORGE CUSTER’S AIDE-DE-CAMP LT. FREDERICK A. NIMS 5TH MICHIGAN CAVALRY.