ATTIC-FRESH GROUPING OF CAVALRY ITEMS IDENTIFIED TO CHAUNCEY J. FOX, 19TH NEW YORK CAVALRY VOLUNTEERS

$3,950.00 SOLD
Originally $4,950.00

Quantity Available: None

Item Code: M23696

A true ‘attic find’ is this handsome, preserved, Civil War cavalry grouping that belonged to Corporal Chauncey J. Fox of the 19th New York Cavalry regiment, often called the 1st N. Y. Dragoons. A wonderful ensemble, this group of artifacts from one Civil War cavalryman came out of a recent New England auction. It consists of Fox’s original M1860 Colt Army revolver; his leather revolver holster; his buff leather cavalry saber belt, his M1851 eagle waist belt plate and keeper; his pistol cartridge box; original percussion cap box; and his set of regulation brass spurs. Buff accoutrements were phased out early in the Civil War but they continued in service with countless Federal and Confederate horsemen throughout the conflict.

Chauncey Fox was a thirty-year-old mason from Freedom, New York when he enlisted for three years in Company “F”, 19th Regiment, New York Cavalry on August 8, 1862. He mustered in on August 19 at Portage Station N.Y. Promoted to Corporal on Oct 26, 1862. The following month, Fox was promoted to fifth sergeant. He was present for duty with the regiment almost continuously from 1861 to 1865 with just two, short detached duty tours at remount camps, one in 1863 and again in 1865. On Feb 19, 1864, Fox was reduced to the ranks for reasons not stated, but was promoted to Corporal again in July 1864. The ten-company horse regiment left the state for duty in Sep 1862 and served in various commands until July 1863 when it was assigned to the Army of the Potomac’s Cavalry Corps, mostly with Brig. Gen. Wesley Merritt’s 1st Cavalry Division. The regiment mustered out of service on June 30, 1865 at Cloud’s Mills, Virginia. On July 18, 1865, Fox was given a disability discharge for disease of the lungs he contracted in 1864 in Virginia. Fox returned to New York state, then relocated to Beatrice, South Dakota Territory where he was granted a pension. He finally settled in Omro, Wisconsin where he died in a hospital for the mentally incompetent in August 1919.

Corporal Fox’s M1860, three screw, Colt Army revolver is in very good original condition and is identified to the soldier by his regimental ordnance records. It exhibits all matching serial numbers (# 44160) save for the wedge (#9597) which is an original replacement. Gun metal has no original colors and appears to have been cleaned at one time. Exhibits a light gray sheen with scattered areas of light rust pitting. Top of the 8” long barrel shows the maker’s address which is visible but thin. Muzzle tip also has nice holster wear. Cylinder scene is gone save for a very faint patents marks and last four digits of the serial # 4160. Grips fine with a double government cartouche visible on each grip. Mechanics are tight but fail to index at times. Sub-inspector marks visible on major components.

The large, military flap holster is unmarked and in fair to good condition. Leather is strong but shows much cracking and scuffing, especially at the outer edge along the barrel area. Flap is supple but strong. Its closure tab is torn away at the rivet but flap has been field modified with a crude opening for the brass finial on the body. Seam stitching on the body is frayed in areas and the plug is missing. Left side of the holster body shows the outline where the cylinder rested. Leather there has two eraser-size perforations there.

The buff leather sword belt is unmarked and still retains: its stitched and riveted, benchmarked keeper (#964), a rivet-secured vertical leather tab with a brass D-ring at each end and a brass saber hook; leather loop adjuster, brass square ring secured to the belt exterior to handle the shoulder strap (missing). Condition is strong and very good overall. The brass model 1851, rectangular eagle waist plate is unmarked and shows normal wear and use; appears cleaned at one time and the silver wreath has a light coating of polish on it. Plate has no B.M. and is not original to the keeper.

Percussion cap box is maker marked but cannot discern the name on the inner flap. In very good condition, does have cracking and each of the belt loop tabs are torn away from the rivets. Closure tab is strong, as is the finial. Box still has its wool attached to the inside cavity. Fox’s pistol box has leather that is heavily cracked and crazed, but is strong and complete; not marked. Closure tab strong and intact. His pair of regulation, large-size, brass military spurs are in excellent condition. No straps but the spurs are unbent and retain both iron rowels that turn easily. Exterior of each spur shows a stippled surface from the original crude casting process.

In addition, his complete military and pension records from the National Archives in Washington DC accompany the artifacts. A fine, original, identified cavalry rig, intact with all its components. If one seeks a quality, identified, wartime cavalry group, search no more. [ra]

DISCLAIMER: All firearms are sold as collector's items only - we do not accept responsibility as to the shooting safety or reliability of any antique firearm. All firearms are described as accurately as possible, given the restraints of a catalog listing length. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. Any city or state regulations regarding owning antique firearms are the responsibility of the purchaser. All firearms are "mechanically perfect" unless noted, but again, are NOT warranted as safe to fire.

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