FINE CIVIL WAR PRESENTATION SILVER PLATED SMITH & WESSON #2 ARMY REVOLVER TO CAPT. GEORGE HOWE 57TH MASS KIA “THE CRATER” JULY 30,1864 PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA.

SN 20505. Cal. 32. This is a very fine example of the popular Civil War Smith & Wesson army revolver with 6″ bbl not often found totally silver finished. Inscribed on backstrap “PRESENTED TO CAPT GEO. H. HOWE BY THE MEMBERS OF CO E. 57TH REGT MASS VET VOLS MARCH 2, 1864”. George Howe a 23 year old school teacher enlisted in the 46th Mass September 1862. By November 1863 he was in the 57th Mass and was promoted to Captain in January 25, 1864. Men of his company presented him with this pistol about a month later. Howe lead his company in actions throughout 1864 and were heavily engaged at the Battle of North Anna River and participated in operations near Cold Harbor. The 57th was somewhat decimated entering the Petersburg campaign in early July having lost 23 officers and men killed and wounded in the previous two weeks. On July 30th the 57th was among the first units to enter “the Crater” on that morning, the regiment at this time was a mere skeleton less than 100 officers and men. Here General Bartlett the brigade commander was taken prisoner, Maj. Prescott and Capt. Dresser along with George Howe were killed. Only 46 men were left after this date. From history of the 57th Mass by John Anderson, “Capt. Howe being a staff officer of the brigade made a gallant attempt to lead it in a charge to the crest of “the Crater”. Mounting the extreme outer ridge of “the Crater” in the face of the enemy who was now advancing in force, he waved his sword for the brigade to follow, but he fell back almost instantly shot through the heart…. the body of Capt. Howe was the only one recovered. He was brought out before the surrender and taken to City Point Hospital where he was embalmed and forwarded to his relatives in Monson, Massachusetts for burial. The burial service was conducted by the Mason fraternity of which he was a member. The funeral was to be held at the Methodist Church to which he belonged, but the assembled multitude was so great that not 1/10th of them could gain admission, hence the ceremony was held in the open air. It was a beautiful Sunday in August. People from miles around the country came flocking in to pay their last tribute of respect to his memory as his remains were placed at rest surrounded by the peaceful hills of his native town. Capt. Howe was born in Monson…” PROVENANCE: Norm Flayderman Estate Collection. CONDITION: Gun retains over 90% orig silver plate though bubbling in some areas, especially on cyl. Markings all discernible on bbl and cyl as is inscription. Rosewood grips are sound and solid retaining much of their orig varnished finish. Mechanically gun functions and bore has crisp discernible rifling. 4-54427 JS35 (3,000-4,000) – Lot 1343

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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
	1343	$7,475.00	FINE CIVIL WAR PRESENTATION SILVER PLATED SMITH & WESSON #2 ARMY REVOLVER TO CAPT. GEORGE HOWE 57TH MASS KIA “THE CRATER” JULY 30,1864 PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA. SN 20505. Cal. 32. This is a very fine example of the popular Civil War Smith & Wesson army revolver with 6″ bbl not often found totally silver finished. Inscribed on backstrap “PRESENTED TO CAPT GEO. H. HOWE BY THE MEMBERS OF CO E. 57TH REGT MASS VET VOLS MARCH 2, 1864”. George Howe a 23 year old school teacher enlisted in the 46th Mass September 1862. By November 1863 he was in the 57th Mass and was promoted to Captain in January 25, 1864. Men of his company presented him with this pistol about a month later. Howe lead his company in actions throughout 1864 and were heavily engaged at the Battle of North Anna River and participated in operations near Cold Harbor. The 57th was somewhat decimated entering the Petersburg campaign in early July having lost 23 officers and men killed and wounded in the previous two weeks. On July 30th the 57th was among the first units to enter “the Crater” on that morning, the regiment at this time was a mere skeleton less than 100 officers and men. Here General Bartlett the brigade commander was taken prisoner, Maj. Prescott and Capt. Dresser along with George Howe were killed. Only 46 men were left after this date. From history of the 57th Mass by John Anderson, “Capt. Howe being a staff officer of the brigade made a gallant attempt to lead it in a charge to the crest of “the Crater”. Mounting the extreme outer ridge of “the Crater” in the face of the enemy who was now advancing in force, he waved his sword for the brigade to follow, but he fell back almost instantly shot through the heart…. the body of Capt. Howe was the only one recovered. He was brought out before the surrender and taken to City Point Hospital where he was embalmed and forwarded to his relatives in Monson, Massachusetts for burial. The burial service was conducted by the Mason fraternity of which he was a member. The funeral was to be held at the Methodist Church to which he belonged, but the assembled multitude was so great that not 1/10th of them could gain admission, hence the ceremony was held in the open air. It was a beautiful Sunday in August. People from miles around the country came flocking in to pay their last tribute of respect to his memory as his remains were placed at rest surrounded by the peaceful hills of his native town. Capt. Howe was born in Monson…” PROVENANCE: Norm Flayderman Estate Collection. CONDITION: Gun retains over 90% orig silver plate though bubbling in some areas, especially on cyl. Markings all discernible on bbl and cyl as is inscription. Rosewood grips are sound and solid retaining much of their orig varnished finish. Mechanically gun functions and bore has crisp discernible rifling. 4-54427 JS35 (3,000-4,000) – Lot 1343 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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FINE CIVIL WAR PRESENTATION SILVER PLATED SMITH & WESSON #2 ARMY REVOLVER TO CAPT. GEORGE HOWE 57TH MASS KIA “THE CRATER” JULY 30,1864 PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA.