AN HISTORIC AND EXTENSIVE GROUPING CONSISTING OF A PRESENTATION GRADE U.S. MODEL 1850 STAFF & FIELD OFFICER’S SWORD AND COLT 1849 POCKET REVOLVER BOTH INSCRIBED TO THE COL. OF THE 21ST CONNECTICUT Inf. WITH RANK EPAULETS, SWORD BELT AND SASH, COMMISSION AND BINOCULARS.

AN HISTORIC AND EXTENSIVE GROUPING CONSISTING OF A PRESENTATION GRADE U.S. MODEL 1850 STAFF & FIELD OFFICER’S SWORD AND COLT 1849 POCKET REVOLVER BOTH INSCRIBED TO THE COL. OF THE 21ST CONNECTICUT Inf. WITH RANK EPAULETS, SWORD BELT AND SASH, COMMISSION AND BINOCULARS. This sword shows hard wear and tear and must have seen long and arduous service in the field during numerous engagements. The sword is a regulation style U.S. Model 1850 Staff & Field Officer’s sword, several grades higher than standard and of European manufacture. It has a 32” single edged, lightly curved blade deeply etched and once, containing extensive gold wash. The etched decoration is generally generic and floral with a prominent “U.S.” on one side. There is also the French motto: “Je Maintiendrai Le Droit” which, roughly translated means: “We shall maintain the right”. The hilt is of regulation style with “US” cast into the counter guard. The scabbard is of steel with fancy engraved brass furniture. Inscribed on the reverse counterguard of the sword’s hilt is: “Col. Hiram B. Crosby”. The inscribed Colt Model 1849 Pocket Revolver, SN 324913 (all matched-loading lever is unmarked), has a 4” bbl with a New York address, 6-shot cylinder and brass back strap and trigger guard. The back strap is inscribed “Col. H. B. Crosby” by, what appears to be, the same engraver who did the sword. The accompanying sword belt is of folded black Russian leather with a brass keeper and two sword carrying straps with brass spring clips. The belt plate is an officer’s style M1851 eagle plate with its wreath cast integral with the plate. Also with the sword is Crosby’s red silk sash of standard form with tassels, his Smith Patent style Col. rank shoulder straps, Crosby’s orig military commission to rank of Col. dated June 28, 1860 and signed by the Gov. of CT, William A. Buckingham and, finally, Crosby’s Civil War period binoculars remain with this group being a pair of French manufactured brass bodied and leather covered binoculars. At the time of the Battle of Cold Harbor, Hiram B. Crosby was commanding the 21st CT Inf. as Maj. Later promoted to full Col. he led the regiment until he was discharged for a medical disability on September 14, 1864. Organized at New Haven in August 1862, this Regiment went to the Defenses of Washington, D.C. then off to the front participating in the battles of Fredericksburg, Va., “Mud March,” and the Siege of Suffolk prior to moving to provost and guard duty at Portsmouth, Norfolk and Newport News until February 1864. Expedition up James River to Fort Powhatan, thence to Newberne February 12, and duty there, at Plymouth and at Washington, N. C. they then joined Butler’s operations on South Side of the James River and against Petersburg and Richmond, operations against Fort Darling, Battle of Drewry’s Bluff and Bermuda Hundred. Battle of Cold Harbor, siege operations against Petersburg and Richmond then onto Chaffin’s Farm, New Market Heights and Fair Oaks. After doing duty in the trenches before Richmond, they became a part of the City’s occupying forces. The Regiment was mustered out June 16, 1865 with losses totaling 175. Copies of his pension, military records and history of the regiment accompany the sword. CONDITION: Fair. Heavy wear from tip to toe, likely a battlefield carried sword. Gilt decoration on the blade has all but faded away in dark patina and surface rust. Quillon is fractured but remains attached. All of the brass furniture and the scabbard have been heavily cleaned at some time. Leather and wire wrap are missing from the grip. Colt revolver is quite good with traces of blue on the bbl and frame. Sword belt is worn but flexible with some losses to stitching. Crosby’s sash is faded to a reddish-brownish hue with a few minor frayed areas. Rank shoulder straps are very nice and the binoculars very good. 4-59211 (5,000-10,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2006

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
	893	$6,900.00	AN HISTORIC AND EXTENSIVE GROUPING CONSISTING OF A PRESENTATION GRADE U.S. MODEL 1850 STAFF & FIELD OFFICER’S SWORD AND COLT 1849 POCKET REVOLVER BOTH INSCRIBED TO THE COL. OF THE 21ST CONNECTICUT Inf. WITH RANK EPAULETS, SWORD BELT AND SASH, COMMISSION AND BINOCULARS. This sword shows hard wear and tear and must have seen long and arduous service in the field during numerous engagements. The sword is a regulation style U.S. Model 1850 Staff & Field Officer’s sword, several grades higher than standard and of European manufacture. It has a 32” single edged, lightly curved blade deeply etched and once, containing extensive gold wash. The etched decoration is generally generic and floral with a prominent “U.S.” on one side. There is also the French motto: “Je Maintiendrai Le Droit” which, roughly translated means: “We shall maintain the right”. The hilt is of regulation style with “US” cast into the counter guard. The scabbard is of steel with fancy engraved brass furniture. Inscribed on the reverse counterguard of the sword’s hilt is: “Col. Hiram B. Crosby”. The inscribed Colt Model 1849 Pocket Revolver, SN 324913 (all matched-loading lever is unmarked), has a 4” bbl with a New York address, 6-shot cylinder and brass back strap and trigger guard. The back strap is inscribed “Col. H. B. Crosby” by, what appears to be, the same engraver who did the sword. The accompanying sword belt is of folded black Russian leather with a brass keeper and two sword carrying straps with brass spring clips. The belt plate is an officer’s style M1851 eagle plate with its wreath cast integral with the plate. Also with the sword is Crosby’s red silk sash of standard form with tassels, his Smith Patent style Col. rank shoulder straps, Crosby’s orig military commission to rank of Col. dated June 28, 1860 and signed by the Gov. of CT, William A. Buckingham and, finally, Crosby’s Civil War period binoculars remain with this group being a pair of French manufactured brass bodied and leather covered binoculars. At the time of the Battle of Cold Harbor, Hiram B. Crosby was commanding the 21st CT Inf. as Maj. Later promoted to full Col. he led the regiment until he was discharged for a medical disability on September 14, 1864. Organized at New Haven in August 1862, this Regiment went to the Defenses of Washington, D.C. then off to the front participating in the battles of Fredericksburg, Va., “Mud March,” and the Siege of Suffolk prior to moving to provost and guard duty at Portsmouth, Norfolk and Newport News until February 1864. Expedition up James River to Fort Powhatan, thence to Newberne February 12, and duty there, at Plymouth and at Washington, N. C. they then joined Butler’s operations on South Side of the James River and against Petersburg and Richmond, operations against Fort Darling, Battle of Drewry’s Bluff and Bermuda Hundred. Battle of Cold Harbor, siege operations against Petersburg and Richmond then onto Chaffin’s Farm, New Market Heights and Fair Oaks. After doing duty in the trenches before Richmond, they became a part of the City’s occupying forces. The Regiment was mustered out June 16, 1865 with losses totaling 175. Copies of his pension, military records and history of the regiment accompany the sword. CONDITION: Fair. Heavy wear from tip to toe, likely a battlefield carried sword. Gilt decoration on the blade has all but faded away in dark patina and surface rust. Quillon is fractured but remains attached. All of the brass furniture and the scabbard have been heavily cleaned at some time. Leather and wire wrap are missing from the grip. Colt revolver is quite good with traces of blue on the bbl and frame. Sword belt is worn but flexible with some losses to stitching. Crosby’s sash is faded to a reddish-brownish hue with a few minor frayed areas. Rank shoulder straps are very nice and the binoculars very good. 4-59211 (5,000-10,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2006 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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