Description:

CONFEDERATE GENERAL EDWARD PORTER ALEXANDER''S FLINTLOCK PISTOL
Single-shot flintlock pistol, 8 1/2" barrel, 13 1/2" overall, a U.S. government contract Model 1836 pistol, owned and possibly carried in combat by Confederate brigadier-general of the artillery EDWARD PORTER ALEXANDER (1835-1910). The pistol was manufactured by Asa Waters of Millbury, Massachusetts, and the lockplate is marked "A. Waters/Milbury. Ms./1838" beneath an eagle''s head. The pistol is stocked in well-patinated dark brown walnut, with the barrel secured by a single iron band with a strap on the left-hand side extending rearward to join the sideplate. Two federal inspector''s proof marks appear on the left-hand side of the stock, just behind the sideplate. A button-capped ramrod is housed in a recess in the stock beneath the barrel, and is secured by a swivel. The grip features a round end cap with a long tang extending upwards towards the breech, forming the rear strap of the grip. The sights consist of a brass blade at the muzzle, and a shallow groove in an oval plate at the breech. The stock shows many dings, dents and scratches overall, with an approx. 1" sliver missing immediately behind the lockplate, while the iron and steel components show a dark patina and pitting throughout, most notably on the butt cap and the sideplate. The bore is dark and shows some pitting and oxidation, else very good. Edward Porter Alexander graduated from West Point and was the first officer to be appointed to the U.S. Army Signal Corps, before enlisting in the Confederate Army upon hearing of the secession of his home state, Georgia. Alexander is credited with being the first to send a long-distance message via signal flags during combat, at the First Battle of Manassas. His most notable moment came during the Battle of Gettysburg, duirng which he held overall command of all Confederate artillery, and directed a massive two-hour bombardment of Union positions using more than 150 guns, thought to be the largest such bombardment of the war. The pistol is accompanied by a copy of a letter from Gerard Porter Spencer, Alexander''s great-grandson, dated Nov. 26, 1982, stating that the pistol presented here was passed from Alexander to his son, Edward P. Alexander Jr., who in turn passed it to his daughter, Spencer''s mother. Also present is a similar letter from Spencer, providing similar provenance for two additional revolvers owned by Alexander, as well as a letter from an antique firearms retailer in Utah, stating that he purchased the pistol presented here from Rock Island Auction Company in 2008. The lot also includes many pages of biographical information on Alexander and reproductions of letters sent by him during the Civil War period, not related to this specific pistol but providing much historical background on Alexander''s life and accomplishments.

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May 9, 2017 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000