Civil War Auction
By Donley Auctions
Dec 14, 2024
8512 South Union Road. Union, IL 60180, United States

This is the most amazing Civil War Collection we've ever seen - even in museums!

This meticulously curated collection boasts an impressive array of artifacts, weaponry, uniforms, documents, and photography, offering a rare glimpse into the tumultuous era that shaped American history.

Highlights from this Unmissable Collection:

  • Weapons of War: A comprehensive selection of firearms, including muskets, rifles, carbines, and revolvers from renowned manufacturers such as Springfield, Sharps, Colt, and Remington. Examine Civil War artillery swords, cavalry sabers, and even a rare LeMat "Grapeshot" revolver with fascinating provenance.
  • Uniforms & Headwear: Step into the shoes of Civil War soldiers with an array of uniforms, kepis, hats, and shell jackets. Discover rare pieces like a Union Colored Troop officer cloak, a well-known drummer boy jacket and kepi, and identified kepis from various regiments.
  • Everyday Essentials: Explore the personal effects of Civil War soldiers, including canteens, belt buckles, cartridge boxes, cap boxes, bugles, and drums. Uncover unique items like a Civil War stadia range finder, a rare Civil War CSA 5th Texas Cavalry canteen, and a Civil War Black drummer boy captured CSA canteen.
  • Faces of the Past: Connect with the individuals who lived through the Civil War through a poignant collection of tintypes, CDVs, and ambrotypes. See a fantastic tintype of a lounging soldier with gear, a cased CDV of Maj. Gen. Geo. H. Thomas, and a tintype & ambrotype of Civil War officers.
  • Words of History: Delve into the written record of the Civil War with a selection of autographed documents, including pieces signed by Abraham Lincoln and Robert E. Lee. Discover a Civil War Lincoln signed Major Commission document and a framed Andersonville Prison litho by Thomas O'Dea.
  • Flags & Banners: Witness a piece of history with a fantastic large CSA battle flag with documentation and a Civil War Confederate swallowtail guidon pike flag.
  • Art & Prints: Admire the artistic interpretations of the Civil War with a selection of framed prints and lithographs, including works by Don Troiani and Donna Neary.

More than just an auction, this is a journey through time.


More details

LOT 269:

Richardson & Overman Gallager .50 Rifle (C) 20160

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Sold for: $1,200
Start price:
$ 1,000
Estimated price :
$1,800 - $3,200
Buyer's Premium: 21% More details
sales tax: 7.25% On the full lot's price and commission
Users from foreign countries may be exempted from tax payments, according to the relevant tax regulations
Auction took place on Dec 14, 2024 at Donley Auctions

Richardson & Overman Gallager .50 Rifle (C) 20160
Richardson & Overman Gallager .50 Rifle in very good vintage condition with wear and oxidation. The bore is very good with light frosting. Comes with an original leather cavalry sling in VERY good condition.
Here we present an antique Civil War U.S. Contract Richardson & Overman Gallager Patent Cartridge Carbine manufactured during the time of the Civil War. Only around 5,000 “Final Model” Gallager patent cartridge carbines were produced by Richardson & Overman in Philadelphia. This carbine was invented by South Carolina native Mahlon Gallager, who licensed the design to Richardson and Overman of Philadelphia for production. On August 31, 1861, the first Gallager was sold to the U.S. Army. 22,728 Gallager carbines were purchased during the Civil War and saw extensive use as a cavalry arm with the Union troops. Both percussion and metallic cartridge versions of the Gallager carbine were manufactured, but extraction problems with both cartridge types made this rifle somewhat unpopular with the troops that used it. A major fault of these carbines was the absence of a suitable extractor. The case had to be extracted with a knife or some other sharp tool. When the trigger guard lever is lowered, the barrel slides out from the frame and tips downward to receive the cartridge. The Gallager carbine was known to be used by the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th Ohio, the 13th Tennessee and the 3rd West Virginia cavalries. C&R Eligible S/N:20160