Military history comes to life at Morphy’s May 17-18 auction of Early Arms, Militaria, and Extraordinary Firearms
Featured: 1776 Revolutionary War officer’s musket, early 19th C. US flag from family of Stephen Decatur Jr, pre-1873 Colt ‘pinch-frame’ revolver, Teddy Roosevelt 1905 presentation drillingDENVER, Pa. – Antique and collectible firearms of superior quality and great historical importance await bidders at Morphy’s mid-May auction event, with two distinct sessions that, together, offer significant firearms and militaria from the 18th century through contemporary times. For the May 17 session, Morphy’s has prepared a 213-lot curated selection of early arms and militaria, followed on May 18 by a 405-lot offering of fine rifles, shotguns, 19th-century Colts and other handguns; military and NFA weapons; and much more.Extremely rare silver gorget (throat cover) from British 5th Regiment, which fought at the Battles of Lexington and Concord. One of few known surviving examples created in the rare double-lobe pattern. Book example. Ex Tom Grinslade collection. Estimate $10,000-$30,000Each and every auction item has been examined and cataloged by the appropriate specialist from Morphy’s respected team of firearms experts, whose catalog descriptions are second to none. All forms of bidding will be available, including live online through Morphy Live.Categories featured on May 17 include antique flintlock, percussion and military rifles and pistols; six antique flintlock shotguns, nearly 40 swords – including pre-Revolutionary War through Civil War models – powder horns, medals, maps, flags, uniforms, field gear and historical ephemera. An absolute treasure of early American gunsmithing, Lot 1168 is a fine relief-carved flintlock Kentucky rifle attributed to master gunsmith Leonard Reedy (1776-1837), who learned and practiced his trade in Womelsdorf, Pennsylvania. Described as being in “near workbench condition,” this Golden Age longarm displays figured tiger maple stock of classic Berks County form with a “Roman nose” buttstock and classic Reedy-style carving behind the cheekpiece and around the patchbox and barrel tang. “Its hand-forged lock was probably made