Rare French and Indian War Map Powder Horn is Top Seller in Cowan's Historic Firearms Auction

The two day Cowan’s Fall Firearms and Early Militaria auction, held November 4 & 5, 2009, garnered over $1 Million in total proceeds.  Consisting of over 900 lots, the auction attracted 730 bidders from 11 countries, with 315 bidders participating via Cowan’s new online bidding platform, iCowans.
 

The auction featured a fine group of powder horns, many of which prompted enthusiastic bidding from collectors.  Lot 3, a rare engraved French and Indian War Map Powder Horn of Pennsylvania, realized $57,500, substantially exceeding its pre-auction estimate of $15/25,000.  The map commemorates the original Forbes Road, which was significant to the transport of wagons and artillery after its completion in November of 1758.  While French Indian War Upstate New York Map horns are relatively common, Pennsylvania Map Horns are exceedingly rare. Jack Lewis, Cowan’s Director of Historic Firearms and Early Militaria, noted, “Only five related horns are known to exist, and this is by far the best of the five.”  

Lot 2, a Fort Edward engraved French and Indian War Powder Horn, engraved with linear patterns of geometric and floral patterns as well as the name James Garthwait and date, September 15, 1759, more than doubled its auction estimate of $10/15,000 by selling for $25,875.  Constructed in 1755, structurally improved from 1755-56, and heavily reinforced in 1757, Fort Edward served as the major staging area and depot for Major General Jeffery Amherst's British Army during his ultimately successful invasion of Canada in 1759-60.  Fort Edward was the center of a frontier war zone, a place where civilians did not casually traffic in 1759. 

Lot 65, Henry H. Stone’s shell jacket worn at Gettysburg and other battles, an example of a one-of-a kind federal-issued infantry jacket, brought $40,250, within its $40/50,000 estimate.  Accompanied by a comprehensive archive, including a letter of provenance dated April 1,1864, Stone’s detailed battle history of the coat’s involvement was a much desired asset amongst collectors. 

A John Shell Kentucky Flintlock Rifle with relief carving and inlaid silver cut outs sold as Lot 18 within its $35/45,000, garnering $40,250.  John Shell worked in Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County Pennsylvania, circa 1817.  Two related lots included John Shell’s personal leather hunting bag and priming horn, along with an archive of pencil templates and designs of patch boxes and inlays and Shell’s copy of Army Register of Officer’s Book. 

Lot 13, a Kentucky Flintlock Rifle made by A. Johnson in the manner of Master gunsmith John Armstrong, featuring relief and incised carving, brought $26,450, well within its estimate of $20/30,000.  A superb example of a raised, carved Kentucky rifle, this example has been featured in several publications.

A Campaign Desk Cased with Starr Single-Action Army Revolver and Accessories, Lot 95, more than tripled its $3,500/5,000 pre-auction estimate, selling for $11,023.  The mahogany case features a hidden drawer which opens to reveal the Starr-Single Action Revolver.  This novelty item attracted bidders’ attention for its uniqueness.

Lot 600, a Henry Rifle comprised of a brass frame and buttplate with maple stock and the stamped date of 1860, garnered $14, 375, directly within its’ $10/15,000 estimate.

Lot 70, a Cook and Brothers Confederate Rifle, sold for $12,075 well within its $9/15,000 estimate.  Dated 1864, this is an exceptional example of a Civil War rifle made by the Confederates in Georgia.

Lot 253, a 1913 pattern United States Military Badge made of 14K gold with inset sterling silver realized $11,500 well exceeding its auction estimate of $5/7000.  This badge with a spread winged eagle holding two separate flags was previously owned by the Western Reserve Historical Society of Cleveland, OH.

Lot 12, a Kentucky Flintlock Rifle by Melchoir Fordney, another example at this fall’s Firearms and Militaria Auction from the “Golden Age” of Kentucky rifles, sold for $10,925.  The virtually unnoticed restoration work showcases an engraved silver bird as the thumb rest with additional decorative brass details. 

The next Cowan’s Firearms and Militaria Auction will be held April 28, 2010.  Jack Lewis, Joe Moran, and Cowan’s UK representative Martin Giles, are currently accepting consignments for the upcoming auction.