JEB Stuart Original Patent Model and Archive

JEB Stuart archive including his original patent model and patent for his famous sword hanger.

JEB Stuart was a household name and among the best known of all Confederate commanders. His cavalry exploits during the Civil War and his prior service on the Plains and Bleeding Kansas are well known among military historians. Few know however, that JEB Stuart designed and patented an innovative sword hanger just prior to the war. This lot contains:

1) His original submitted brass working model along with the original patent office tag, patent number 25, 264 “J.E.B. STUART / METHOD OF ATTACHING / SABERS & BELTS / PATENTED OCT. 4TH / 1859”.

CONDITION: Fine overall as framed in 32" x 24" shadowbox. The brass hanger measures 5" x 3". The original 3" x 3" patent card is also very good to fine with dark easily discerned text with light soiling. The frame also contains a 7" x 10" printed US Patent Office description and drawing of the patented device, along with a facsimile photograph of Stuart.

2) 16" x 10-1/2" single-page printed circular describing the belt.

CONDITION: Cracked at folds with some paper loss along central fold.

3) A Single page full drawing of the device, on verso full page ALS, Ft Riley, Kansas Territory, January 25, 1860 by Stuart to the State of Virginia encouraging purchase of his device for state troops since the US government had adopted it. Dated "January 25, 1860", and signed by James Ewell Brown Stuart as "J.E.B. Stuart". 8.25" x 10.5"

CONDITION: Cracked at folds with some paper loss along central fold. Scotch tape stains on same central fold darkening paper where tape removed. Chipping and brown edges at the top and bottom barely affecting text. Stuart's signature panel is fine. Ink and print all dark and easily discerned.

James Ewell Brown Stuart (1833-1864) known to his friends as JEB, graduated from West Point in 1854. He was among the best American officers serving in Texas and Kansas with the US Army prior to the Civil War and was a participant in the capture of John Brown at Harper’s Ferry. He resigned his commission in the U.S. Army when the war began and distinguished himself in numerous battles. As Confederate commander, Stuart would be killed at the Battle of Yellow Tavern, May 12, 1864 at the age of 31 by a member of Custer’s Michigan Cavalry Brigade. Robert E. Lee now truly lost his eyes and ears for the Army of Northern Virginia. This is an incredible archive concerning the most iconic of American cavalry commanders, none better known than possibly George Armstrong Custer. It is amazing that Stuart’s patented sword hanger was rare during the Civil War but saw expanded use after the Civil War in the Indian Wars being manufactured at the Frankford Arsenal almost exactly in the same configuration he designed.

PROVENANCE: Patent Model sold at auction by US Patent Office to O. Rundle Gilbert, Garrison, New York; Cliff Peterson, Beverly Hills, CA; Henry Truslow Collection, Sunbury, PA.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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