Historic African-American Civil War Corps Flag leads $1 million+ Heritage Arms & Militaria Auction

Dillinger's "Wooden Gun" brings more than $19,000; American Mexican war presentation sword reaches $41,285 in Dec. 12 Dallas Auction

DALLAS, TX -- An extremely important Civil War flag with significant historical cachet - it is both an important relic of the War Between the States as well as an important piece of African-Americana - realized $50,787 in spirited bidding to lead Heritage Auctions' Dec. 12 Signature® Arms & Militaria including Civil War Auction, live, in-person and online at www.HA.com. All prices include 19.5% Buyer's Premium.

"This singular Civil War Regulation All Silk 25th Corps Flag of Maj. Gen. Godfrey Weitzel was consigned by his direct lineal descendants," said Dennis Lowe, Director of Arms, Militaria and Civil War at Heritage Auctions. "Weitzel was the first Union general grade officer to enter the city of Richmond upon its fall, doubtless under this very flag. He was originally given command of the all black 25th Army Corps on Dec. 3, 1864, maintaining the command off and on through May 1865."

The 25th Army Corps was created on December 3, 1864, from the 10th and 18th Corps, which were disbanded. All white troops were placed in the newly formed 24th Corps, and all black troops on the 25th, under the command of Weitzel, who had previously commanded the 18th Corps. Units of the 25th Corps participated in the Siege of Petersburg, the Battle of Fort Fischer and the Appomattox Campaign. Weitzel stated, in 1866, upon the disbanding of the Corps, that the conduct of the 25th Corps "has been such to draw praise from persons most prejudiced against color, and there is no record which should give the colored race more pride than that left by the 25th."

An exquisitely detailed 1847 American Mexican War presentation sword, custom crafted by the Ames Sword Manufacturing as a gift in honor of service to Major Alexander B. Bradford for his service in the 1^st Regiment Mississippi Volunteers, was the second highest lot of the auction with a final price of $41,825.

"The artistry on this sword is simply superb," said Lowe. "This piece is absolutely unique in the annals of the Ames Sword Company."

A Very Fine Rigdon & Ansley Civil War Confederate .36 Caliber Percussion Revolver, #2224, a mirror image of the same gun included, with photograph, in the important 1942 catalog of the Metropolitan Museum of Art "Loan Exhibition of Percussion Colt Revolvers and Conversions 1836 - 1873", edited by John E. Parsons, brought $26,290, while another wonderful Confederate flag in a superb - a very rare Second National Pattern Civil War Confederate Flag - with a fascinating contemporary history and accompanied by detailed analysis and authentication documents from noted flag authority Fonda S. Thomsen, realized $21,510.

A superb trove of John Dillinger related material, consigned by the famous bank robber's younger sister Frances Helen, now 87, received a tremendous amount of national attention in the days leading up to the auction, and with good reason. What is probably the single most iconic item associated with Dillinger, the Legendary "Wooden Gun" he carved and used to escape from the Crown Point, IN Jail on March 3, 1934, was also the leading lot in the grouping as it rose to $19,120, nearly doubling the initial estimate.

"In reality there are three 'wooden guns', including this example, that can lay claim, all with some degree of credibility, to being the one Dillinger used is his remarkable escape," said Lowe. "This example was part of the personal effects of Dillinger's younger brother Hubert, and had been in the possession of Frances Helen's family since Hubert's death in 1974."

Further highlights include, but are not limited to:

Civil War Confederate Leech & Rigdon .36 Caliber Percussion Revolver, #887 Matching including Wedge, with the Original Confederate Holster: It's interesting to note that this gun is within 12 numbers (#899) of the gun carried by Famed Maryland Confederate cavalry officer Harry Gilmor, further indicating the gun was probably issued from Richmond. Realized: $15,535.

Coin Silver Presentation Set Given to Henry W. Bellows, President of the United States Sanitary Commission, by the Citizens of San Francisco, California: From The Collection of The American Red Cross. This magnificent set of 12 large goblets, a centerpiece, a pitcher, two wine ewers, and a massive tray, was made by William Keyser Vanderslice of San Francisco, one of California's finest silversmiths, for the George C. Shreve jewelry company. Realized: $14,938.

John Dillinger, a Blood-stained $1 bill taken from his remains with original envelope given to the family by the FBI: A $1 Silver Certificate, Series 1928B, serial number D20718635B with three small areas of bloodstaining. This note has written vertically in ink on the verso, along the left border, "7-22-34 - Johnie(sic)," likely by a family member. This was the date of his death and he was known to his family as Johnnie. Realized: $14,340.

Civil War Confederate Leech & Rigdon .36 Caliber Percussion Revolver, #625: A very nice, 100% original generally untouched, and very early Leech & Rigdon. Realized: $14,340.

Heritage Auctions, headed by Steve Ivy, Jim Halperin and Greg Rohan, is the world’s third largest auction house, with annual sales more than $600 million, and 475,000+ registered online bidder members. For more information about Heritage Auctions, and to join and gain access to a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit www.HA.com.

Want to get the up-to-the-minute updates and breaking news stories about Heritage Auctions? Get them as they happen at: www.Twitter.com/HeritagePress; www.Twitter.com/JimHalperin; Facebook: Heritage Auction Galleries. To view a compete archive of Heritage press releases go to: www.HA.com/PR. To link to this press release on your blog or Website: www.HA.com/PR-1780.