3395

George Armstrong Custer Civil War Holster and Dispatch Case [131566]

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:30,000.00 USD Estimated At:60,000.00 - 90,000.00 USD
George Armstrong Custer Civil War Holster and Dispatch Case  [131566]
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This lot contains the belt, brass buckle, holster, and dispatch case from Civil War Captain George Armstrong Custer; originally from the Frost collection.

The holster is standard issue for officers during the civil war to fit the Colt model 1860 Single Action Army revolver. The dispatch case is similar to the standard issue cartridge case except the partitions are not there. The dispatch case has a brass stud along with two buckles to secure the contents as well as an inside flap and no partitions.

There are two photos in the book "Custer in Photographs" ( pps. 12, 13, Katz, 1985) depicting Captain Custer wearing this rig about 1863 (two separate photos by Timothy O'Sullivan). Close examination reveals that the same holster is worn with the same cut-away in the army issue holster where the captain has carved out a notch. It is speculated that the notch in the holster flap was to accommodate a ring and lanyard in the butt of his gun. Capt. Custer was renowned for leading his men in a charge, hanging onto your revolver on horseback would have been paramount. This same holster rig is depicted in the book "Bugles, Banners and War Bonnets" (p. 247 Reedstrom). The leather is stiff and consistent with age due organics from the 1860's. The brass buckle also has silver inlays. Please see photos for details.
Provenance:
The Kirkpatrick-Custer bow top trunk is marked "Col. Geo. A. Custer 7th. Cav" also "Mrs. Monroe, Mich." Also lettered on the original leather surface is lettered:
"Elizabeth C. Bacon, Monroe, Mich. 1862"

ELizabeth C. Bacon
Monroe, Michigan 1862. Marked on the trunk

George Custer's wife: Elizabeth Bacon Custer b.4-8-1842, m-Feb. 1864, d.4-4-1933
George Custer's mother: Maria Ward Kirkpatrick 1807-1882

J. A. Murray
trunk in his possession until March 1, 1949
"a former 7th Cavalry Man"

sold to:
Howard B. Berry
notary letter Jan. 6, 1950


sold to:
Dr. Lawrence A. Frost
Sept. 1949
James Calhoun Custer (b. 11-14-1871 d. 1954)a nephew of Gen. Custer, son of Nevin Custer (b.1842 d. 1915)confirms items to be those of Gen. Custer to Dr. Frost

Current Consignor
listed with Heritage Auctions List #87 Lot 1530
Dec. 11, 2012

Heritage Auction document Auction #6092 Lot 38578
Dec. 11, 2012