RARE FRANKFORD ARSENAL DOVETAILED MAHOGANY PISTOL BOX THAT BELONGED TO LIEUTENANT THOMAS W. CUSTER, BROTHER OF GEORGE ARMSTRONG CUSTER.

RARE FRANKFORD ARSENAL DOVETAILED MAHOGANY PISTOL BOX THAT BELONGED TO LIEUTENANT THOMAS W. CUSTER, BROTHER OF GEORGE ARMSTRONG CUSTER. Well made dovetailed mahogany box 20-5/8″ long x 8-7/8″ wide x 3-1/8″ high with swinging hooks on the front and brass hinges in the lid. Interior has a dust shield and although missing several of its interior pieces it is readily apparent that this was a case for a pair of percussion revolvers, probably models 1860, Army with dowel holes for spare cylinders. The case has one remaining frame rest and another bbl rest attached to a central oak box with lid. Inside the lid has raised brown felt lined pads that would have applied pressure to the cylinders to retain the revolvers in position. Top of the lid has a scalloped corner, rectangular brass plaque engraved “U.S./FRANKFORD ARSENAL/1863”. Left side of the top of the lid has an elaborate silver eagle clutching a ribbon in its talons that is engraved “6TH MICHIGAN CALVARY” and has the raised inscription over its breast and wings “LT. THOMAS W. CUSTER”. Right side of the top of the lid has a large silver hat pin of crossed sabers surmounted by a “6” all of which is over “MICHIGAN”. Thomas Ward Custer (1845-1876), the only known soldier to have won two Medals of Honor during the Civil War, was the brother of the famous George Armstrong Custer. He enlisted as a teenager as a private in the 21st Ohio on Sept. 2, 1861 and saw action at Stone’s River, Chickamauga, Chattanooga and in the Atlanta Campaign and was mustered out on Oct. 10, 1864. He was almost immediately appointed 2nd Lieutenant in the 6th Michigan Calvary on Nov. 8, 1864 and assigned to his brother’s staff in the Shenandoah Valley. He participated in the Battle at Petersburg and continued the campaign to Appomattox. On April 3, 1865, he captured a Confederate flag at Namozine Church for which he received his first Medal of Honor. Three days later, he earned his second Medal of Honor at the Battle of Sayler’s Creek wherein, according to Gen. Sheridan, “He leaped his horse over the enemies works, to be one of the first to enter them, and captured two stands of colors, having his horse shot under him and received a severe wound.”. He was wounded in the face, but after turning over the captured colors to his brother, attempted to return to the battle but his brother interceded, placing him under arrest so that he could get medical attention. Lieutenant Custer was brevetted to Major of Volunteers & later to Lt. Col. in the Regulars. After the war, he was commissioned directly into the regular Army and joined his brother in the 7th Cavalry, and, as they say, the rest is history. CONDITION: Very fine. Lid has a couple of grain checks and the bottom has a couple more. Otherwise, it is completely sound with light handling and storage scratches, nicks & dings & retains about all of its original varnish. Interior retains a fine patina with some oil staining around where the cylinders stood on their dowels. The small covered box has broken its glue joint and is loose in the bottom but remains sound, missing a small sliver at one end. This is a fine historic pistol box that belonged to a heroic and decorated soldier. 4-37731 JR269 (4,000-5,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2009

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
	2223	$4,025.00	RARE FRANKFORD ARSENAL DOVETAILED MAHOGANY PISTOL BOX THAT BELONGED TO LIEUTENANT THOMAS W. CUSTER, BROTHER OF GEORGE ARMSTRONG CUSTER. Well made dovetailed mahogany box 20-5/8″ long x 8-7/8″ wide x 3-1/8″ high with swinging hooks on the front and brass hinges in the lid. Interior has a dust shield and although missing several of its interior pieces it is readily apparent that this was a case for a pair of percussion revolvers, probably models 1860, Army with dowel holes for spare cylinders. The case has one remaining frame rest and another bbl rest attached to a central oak box with lid. Inside the lid has raised brown felt lined pads that would have applied pressure to the cylinders to retain the revolvers in position. Top of the lid has a scalloped corner, rectangular brass plaque engraved “U.S./FRANKFORD ARSENAL/1863”. Left side of the top of the lid has an elaborate silver eagle clutching a ribbon in its talons that is engraved “6TH MICHIGAN CALVARY” and has the raised inscription over its breast and wings “LT. THOMAS W. CUSTER”. Right side of the top of the lid has a large silver hat pin of crossed sabers surmounted by a “6” all of which is over “MICHIGAN”. Thomas Ward Custer (1845-1876), the only known soldier to have won two Medals of Honor during the Civil War, was the brother of the famous George Armstrong Custer. He enlisted as a teenager as a private in the 21st Ohio on Sept. 2, 1861 and saw action at Stone’s River, Chickamauga, Chattanooga and in the Atlanta Campaign and was mustered out on Oct. 10, 1864. He was almost immediately appointed 2nd Lieutenant in the 6th Michigan Calvary on Nov. 8, 1864 and assigned to his brother’s staff in the Shenandoah Valley. He participated in the Battle at Petersburg and continued the campaign to Appomattox. On April 3, 1865, he captured a Confederate flag at Namozine Church for which he received his first Medal of Honor. Three days later, he earned his second Medal of Honor at the Battle of Sayler’s Creek wherein, according to Gen. Sheridan, “He leaped his horse over the enemies works, to be one of the first to enter them, and captured two stands of colors, having his horse shot under him and received a severe wound.”. He was wounded in the face, but after turning over the captured colors to his brother, attempted to return to the battle but his brother interceded, placing him under arrest so that he could get medical attention. Lieutenant Custer was brevetted to Major of Volunteers & later to Lt. Col. in the Regulars. After the war, he was commissioned directly into the regular Army and joined his brother in the 7th Cavalry, and, as they say, the rest is history. CONDITION: Very fine. Lid has a couple of grain checks and the bottom has a couple more. Otherwise, it is completely sound with light handling and storage scratches, nicks & dings & retains about all of its original varnish. Interior retains a fine patina with some oil staining around where the cylinders stood on their dowels. The small covered box has broken its glue joint and is loose in the bottom but remains sound, missing a small sliver at one end. This is a fine historic pistol box that belonged to a heroic and decorated soldier. 4-37731 JR269 (4,000-5,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2009 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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