A complete accoutrement set owned by Pvt. Leander Howe, Co. A, 41st Massachusetts Infantry and Co. D, 4th Massachusetts 4th Heavy Artillery. Items include: 

1. M1861 percussion rifle-musket, Norfolk Contract. cal. 58. Norfolk, Connecticut: Welch, Brown and Co. Barrel 40 in., Overall 57 in. 

Lockplate clearly stamped "1863" and "U.S. / Norfolk" with eagle. Barrel clearly stamped "V / P / Eagle" and sub-inspector stamp "PH." Date “1863” is visible though thin. The butt plate has the typical “US” along with a rack number, “144.” The stock is marked on the left side with “W. W. Welch/Norfolk, CT.” Visible cartouche.

All iron surfaces a mix of gray. Bright with scattered peppery spots of patina.  Good lock work. Bore has strong rifling with some dark spots. Stock shows honest wear and use with scattered handling marks. A chipped area is present on right side, behind the rear barrel band. Approximately 18,000 of these percussion rifles were produced. 

2. US M1855 bayonet & 7-rivet scabbard. “U.S.” stamp above the socket angle is crisp, as is the sub-inspector’s “S” below. The letters “LH” (for Leander Howe) stamped in half-inch letters on the leather scabbard throat.

Bayonet exhibits medium rust and pitting at the socket joint and minor dings and age spotting along the blade. Leather displays one weak point midway between throat and drag. Traces of verdigris around the rivets. Otherwise in good condition.

3. Standard issue leather waist belt with standard "US" oval belt plate and keeper. Width 1 3/4 in. Length with brass clamp 39 1/4 in. Stencil stamped "144" on inner side in 1 1/4" letters. Tanning is entirely flaked off. Leather is brown and bare, though supple and in good shape. The arrow hook belt plate exhibits minor dings and traces of verdigris, but otherwise very good.

4. Percussion cap box. “U.S.” stamped in half-inch letters to front flap. “144” stencil stamped in 3/4" letters on front inner flap. Outer bridle leather chafing with some heavy flaking of finish strap. Rear belt loops heavily worn but intact. Interior leather in much better condition. Stitching good. Missing pick and fleece but full of percussion caps. Overall fair condition.

5. US M1858 smooth-side canteen. Original brown cloth cover and original sling threaded through all three keepers. Stopper cork, ring, and chain intact and attached to keeper. Pewter spout scratched with large, neat half-inch initials, “LH” (Leander Howe).

Cover somewhat frayed in a number of spots, but tight against the skin and 80% intact. Two moderate dents in canteen under service of the cover. Very handsome pewter spout canteen specimen that will display well.

6. US M1861 cartridge box. With shoulder strap and breastplate. Number “144” stencil stamped on center of inner flap. “L. Howe” carved in half-inch letters in leather in upper left corner of inner flap. Outer front flap has stamped “US” in raised lettering below the box plate.

Though supple, the leather exhibits light wear at the extremities with some cracking, rubbing and light flaking. Inner flap straps present and good, though exhibiting light wear. Side stitching & rear shoulder strap stitching good. Final & roller buckles good. Tin present-shoulder strap fairly supple and good, though cracking throughout. Eagle breast plate has coppery patina and is attached with original leather thongs. Despite light cracking, this is very good overall box with box plate, shoulder strap & eagle breastplate.

A native of Worcester and carpenter by trade, 39-year-old Leander Howe was enlisted as a private and mustered into Company A of the 51st Massachusetts Infantry on 25 September 1862. His unit was a nine-month regiment that served almost exclusively in North Carolina in and around the New Berne area. In July 1863, the regiment assisted in the pursuit of Lee’s forces in the wake of Gettysburg before being mustered out at Worcester on 27 July.

On 18 August 1864, Howe re-enlisted as a private and was mustered into Company D of the 4th Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, a one-year regiment garrison duty in the defense of Washington, south of the Potomac. They were mustered out on 17 June 1865 at Washington, D.C.

Note: This lot cannot be packaged and shipped in-house. Successful bidders winning items marked as being packaged and shipped by a third-party service are responsible for paying the third party directly. We are happy to offer complimentary drop-off service to local third-party packing/shipping companies in Columbus, Ohio.

[Civil War, Union, Confederate, Firearm, Colt, Pistol, Revolver, Rifle, Musket, Smith and Wesson, Springfield]