Collectors with a passion for US Civil War memorabilia won't want to miss Greg Martin Auctions' California sale based around Joe and Brian Buffer's collection of German military pistols.
Something much larger than a pistol is the auction's predicted star: an 1876 Gatling gun, manufactured in Connecticut with a ten musket-length 32" round barrel (read our full report here).
Also appearing is a single lot are two historic Confederate Civil War Naval signal pennants, captured from the Gunboat CSS Tennessee during the bloody Battle of Mobile Bay.
The battle took place on August 5, 1864, when Rear Admiral David G Farragut's Federal fleet attacked a smaller Confederate fleet and three forts.
 The two historic Confederate Civil War Naval signal pennants, dated to 1864 |
The latter army was guarding the entrance to Mobile Bay, an inlet in the Gulf of Mexico.
As a result of the battle, the continued presence of a Union Army force near Mobile would constrain the Confederate Army in its last desperate campaigns during the Civil War...
The first flag comprises a white muslin signal pennant of multi-element construction, with the main panel appliquéd with three navy blue crosses. The white canvas hoist is stencilled with the legend: "CSS Tennessee." Its dimensions are 18 x 55 ½ inches.
The second pennant is a red and white muslin signal pennant of multi-element construction. It consists of three sections of red, white, red vertical bands, also stencilled with the legend "CSS Tennessee." Its measurements are slightly shorter: 18 x 48 inches.
 Both will be sold with historic manuscripts, confirming their provenance |
Both pennants will be sold together with an original provenance card reading: "Signal Flags/Captured from the Rebel/Ram Steamer 'Tennessee'/Mobile Bay. August 5, 1864/by the Monitor "Chickasaw"...
"...Under Admiral Farragut/Sent to the babies of /Captain Noyes. U.S.A. As/a New Year's gift January/1st 1865, by Lt. Commander/G.H. Perkins. Commanding/the 'Chickasaw'."
Both pennants are described by Greg Martin Auctions as being in very good condition, with age wear and minor snags to the fabric. The pair is estimated at $15,000-25,000.
Greg Martin Auctions' sale will take place in Irvine, California on June 26-27.
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