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General Officer IDed Revolutionary War AND Civil War Pommel Holsters
Price: 2250
I have had in my collection for at least 30 years a set of truly unique and very historic pommel holsters with provenance to use by Militia General Andrew Gregg as well as one of two of his sons BOTH of which became CW cavalry generals. It is fascinating history as well as a set of fine pommel holsters.
I have the handwritten letter from the picker who found the "pistil holder" for a Mr. Elder Green Shively of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania in 1927 (complete with stamped envelope). In this letter, the picker, a Geo. W. (G)urby (sic) noted: "now about hem Pistle holder you bought from me I went to where I had bought & got information about them general. Andrew Gregg had tham in Revelution War you can find all in Center Country History."
From Heitman's HISTORICAL REGISTER AND DICTIONARY OF THE U.S. ARMY VOLUME 1, I located two Pennsylvania Greggs who became militia cavalry generals in the War Between the States: David McMurtrie Gregg and J. Irvin Gregg. I believe these to be brothers and sons of Gen. Andrew Gregg of the Revolutionary War militia cavalry referenced in the 1927 letter. I believe, further, that one of these later Greggs used these pommel holsters during the war.
The basic pommel holsters themselves are typical long-barrel pattern holsters of the Revolutionary War flintlock pattern. Both holster bodies have a four-round, approximately .50 calibre ammunition pocket with hand-soldered iron tubes in a pocket with a rain flap. The throat of the holster bodies have a thick leather reinforcement and are fair leather inside.
The tips of the holster bodies are sheet brass with a soldered seam and two copper nails. The backs of the holster bodies have the original tie-down straps that go over the seat and down the backs of the holster bodies. All leather on the holsters themselves is excellent and shiny.
Before the War Between the States, the cavalry colour changed from the orange of the dragoons to yellow and I believe the original pommel holster cover was modified with an added yellow edging. The cover and edging are in excellent condition but the strap sewn inside the top of the cover (to take a securing strap from the top of the seat) is now missing as is one of the pommel holster closing tabs. Both of these small straps could easily be replaced if thought necessary.
It is truly rare to have so much American Cavalry history reflected one piece and so well provenanced. Further research into Gen. Andrew Gregg ought to be interesting and rewarding. I have other photos available on request
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