Unique Set of Double Holsters, Sword Frog and Cartridge Box Owned by Commander Eliza Peck, USN / sSOLD

Unique Set of Double Holsters, Sword Frog and Cartridge Box Owned by Commander Eliza Peck, USN - Inventory Number: LEA 402 / SOLD

Unique set of double holsters, sword frog and cartridge box owned by Commander Eliza Peck, USN, 18/6-1866. The holsters fit the Model 1843 Navy "boxlock" pistols and the cartridge box has a wooden block drilled for six cartridges (Neil Gutterman)

This belt, featured on page 518 of “U.S. Military Holsters & Related Accoutrements” by Meadows, measures approx. 48” in length and has a permanently sewn open-top 8” holster on each side for the USN M1843 boxlock pistol. The rear of the belt has a permanently sewn small cartridge box with a wooden insert for 54 cal. prewrapped cartridges. Between the cartridge box and the left-hand holster is an 8 1/2" leather frog that slides on the belt. The frog is not likely for a sword since the M1841 officer’s saber had ring mounts. Therefore, we suspect the frog is for a dirk or a boarding weapon of some kind, as this belt rig would likely only be worn during conflict. The brass buckle measures approx. 1 11/16” x 1 1/4", and the prong is made of iron. The 8” holsters are 5 1/2" wide at the top, tapering to about 2” wide at the base. The right-hand holster has the plug in place, but the left-hand holster’s plug is missing. The belt rig has a history of being owned by Commander Eliza Peck, USN, who served from 1816 to 1866. Peck retired in 1855 but was recalled during the Civil War. He was promoted to Captain in 1863, a scant three years before his death.

The belt remains complete with no visible breaks or major flaws and is quite pliable. It is somewhat flexed and a bit flaked, but quite stable and well preserved. The holsters are solid but a bit stiff, as expected. The cartridge box and frog also show minimal wear. PROVENANCE: The Collection of Edward Scott Meadows. Ex (Neil Gutterman) Mounted on a custom designed museum belt stand by the renown Zach Ziegler.

The United States Navy percussion revolver and single-shot pistol holsters, or frogs as they were called during the period, departed from the traditional role of protecting the holster from the elements. Indeed, the Navy frog only covered the frame and part of the barrel, exposing the rest of the pistol. Most observed specimens are U.S. Navy Yard marked, although it is possible that some were made on contract or on shipboard. Complete records as to the number produced are unknown. Some references to numbers on hand during inventories at various periods have surfaced, however, and give some indication.

There is a description of the single-shot pistol frog in Instructions in Relation to the Preparation of Vessels of War for Battle, in the section entitled”

"Accoutrements for Captains of Guns, Boarders and Small Arms Men." The same description appears in the 1852, 1860 and 1864 editions.

"Pistol Frog (buff leather) wide enough at the mouth to cover the cock of the pistol and at the lower end to accommodate the stock; upper part of the back of it turned down to form a loop large enough to admit the waist belt. The stitches forming the side seams not to come nearer than 25 inches from the edges of the leather, Pocket (thin bridle leather) to contain three cartridges, flap, tongue, and loop. Cap-pocket, like me cartridge pocket; lining, a strip of sheepskin with the wool on, glued with fish glue, and sewed to the back at the mouth of the pocket. These ag pockets are of the same depth and occupy the whole breadth of the pistol frog. To be worn on right hip."

A remarkable rare, identified, and published naval rig! Accompanied by a copy of page 518 from the Meadows book.

Inventory Number: LEA 402 / SOLD