Zouave Uniform, Firearms and Archive Identified to Charles Reisser 9th New York Hawkins Zouaves 

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Historic Firearms and Early Militaria, Day 1

By Cowan's Auctions

Apr 26, 2016 - Apr 28, 2016

Set Reminder 2016-04-26 10:00:00 2016-04-28 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Historic Firearms and Early Militaria, Day 1 https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/cowans/historic-firearms-and-early-militaria-day-1-1389
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• Lot Description
  Incredibly large group obtained from a descendant, consisting of the Civil War uniform, personal effects, documents and two firearms originally the property of Acting Orderly Sergeant Charles Reisser, Co. G, 9th NY, known as "Hawkins Zouaves."  
  
  The uniform consists of a dark blue wool Algerian pattern jacket trimmed in red worsted wool braid and cord piping with matching braid and red wool "tombeau" applied on the front in typical Zouave fashion.  Cuffs have red wool sergeant's rank chevrons and are closed with hooks and eyes. Fully lined in white linen with one interior pocket, hand-inscribed on the left sleeve lining "Chas Reisser / Co. G" in ink now oxidized to brown. The dark blue wool Zouave pattern vest has inset welted pockets, tabs for buttons and is trimmed in red braid, lining and back of linen with penciled initials "Ch R."  The jacket is constructed with both hand- and machine-stitching while the vest is completely hand-sewn. The red wool felt fez has a natural linen tape binding on the bottom edge, blue wool tassel and metal unit number "9" on the obverse. A red wool and cotton mixed fabric waist sash completes the uniform. His trousers were cut off when he was found on the battlefield, where he had laid dead for two days.
  
  Personal items include a silver identity disk made from an half dollar coin, engraved "Sgt. Charles Reisser / Co. G, 9th Regt. NY Vol. / Hawkins Zouaves / Enl. 4 May 1861," pierced and suspended on a short leather thong, a clay pipe, a wooden crutch used after his leg wound was amputated at Antietam, a GAR membership medal and a 1907 Vinton, IA medal and celluloid reunion medal.
  
  A cased sixth plate daguerreotype image shows Reisser in a Zouave uniform with a Bowie knife on his belt. The image itself is a rarity for the 1860's, as by then the daguerreotype was an almost obsolete photographic method. Reiser's jacket and kepi appear to be the Hawkins' officer pattern, sans rank insignia. This is likely the first pattern Hawkins Zouave uniform, as distinguished from the second pattern jacket which is part of this group. The image has an embossed brass mat and glass retainer, velvet cushion and leatherette covered wood hinged case. Two additional later sepia-toned copy photos of this image in period wooden frames are included.
  
  Documents relating to the life and military career of Reisser include his 1859 dated naturalization paper, his 1860 marriage certificate, an 1861 document promoting him to sergeant and signed by Col. Hawkins, and his 1863 discharge paper, all contained in contemporary wood frames. & A framed, detailed record of Reisser's early life and military service, published in 1906, is also included. All items are properly museum archievally mounted.
  
  Firearms with this group consist of a percussion full-stock target rifle and a single-shot European military percussion pistol. The rifle is .46 caliber with a 27.75" octagonal barrel maker marked "W. HAHN NEW YORK" (William Hahn active New York City 1858 - 1889), patent breech and snail-shaped nipple bolster, engraved back action lock marked "WARRANTED." Walnut stock has checkered wrist and cheek rest, nickel furniture now age-toned to a brassy hue by smoke, iron sling swivels and ramrod with brass tips. The iron work with even dark patina.
  
  The pistol is .69 caliber, 11" round pinned barrel, lock and barrel converted from flint, unmarked and with an age gray finish. Walnut stock with brass furniture. Wrist escutcheon plate engraved with crown motif and word "Hussar;" retains wood ramrod. Family tradition relates that these two firearms were used by Reisser during the Civil War. However, this appears unlikely and it is more likely that they were guns that he owned during his long lifetime.
  
  Charles Reisser was a native of Germany. He lived as a farmer in New Jersey at the time of his enlistment in 1861. He served in all the regiment's actions until he was wounded in the leg by a musket ball at Antietam. His recovery took two years. In later life he moved to Iowa.
  
  This is a well-documented group from a combat veteran of a famous Federal regiment, whose wound occurred as A.P. Hill's column arrived to save the Army of Northern Virginia's vulnerable right flank. The group presents an unusual opportunity to acquire a rare uniform worn at a pivotal moment in American history - during America's bloodiest day - on the fields above Antietam Creek. 

  Condition

  Overall good condition; uniform pieces show light wear and moderate age toning with some brown foxing on the linen linings, fez binding frayed but mostly complete, the sash has heavy moth tracking and one large hole in the center.  The image case has a broken hinge and the top edge is missing.  Documents have been folded and have some minor tears that do not detract.  The rifle in overall good condition, has a fair bore in need of cleaning, lock does not stay at half cock and the nipple is slightly flattened.  Pistol is fair, lock frozen, nipple completely flattened.
• Shipping Info

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