…and then there was… the ‘Challenge’

…but first a little story…

the date : July 25, 1861 near the start of the American Civil War

the place ; Cairo, Illinois, 7th Illinois Infantry Regiment initially attached to Cook’s 4th Brigade

the man : 6 ft, 200 lb Matthias Kerr

Standing in line with his new Brothers in Arms, ready to sign up for duty and be mustered in against the Confederate Rebels making such a racket down south. Although an imposing figure of a man for his day, Matthias was likely concerned for what was to come. Not afraid, but definitely unprepared for the task ahead. He likely carried with him some personal items to comfort him in his way to places yet unknown so far from home… a bible from his blessed Mother… a tintype photo of his sweetheart… a pocket watch from perhaps an uncle or a younger brother.

And from his Father a revolver. A small but nonetheless deadly weapon at close range. A Smith Wesson Model 1, 2nd Issue. Personal safety from the Rebs he hoped to encounter. A deterrent for wayward snakes. A comfort in his breast pocket. He would most assuredly be involved in battles with the enemy from the South. And he was. His Regiment, the 7th Illinois Infantry saw numerous engagements at Fort Donelson, Shiloh and the Second Battle of Corinth among others. After his tour of duty concluded Matthias reenlisted in late 1863 and in 1864 joined Sherman’s forces preparing for their March to the Sea in November that same year. Matthias was not to accompany General Sherman as in May of that year he was captured while scouting at Bainbridge, Alabama. To this point his prized personal possessions had accompanied and served him faithfully. But after his capture he was taken to the infamous Andersonville Prison in Georgia. Likely most of is possessions were taken from him… including the revolver. Much of what is known is conjecture but it is certain that his captors rendered the revolver inoperable by pouring molten brass into the cylinder and removing the firing pin. They may or may not have allowed him to retain possession of the revolver. Later that same year he and other Yankee soldiers imprisoned with him were digging stumps for fuel in the barracks stoves. An errant shovel mangled part of his right foot. Due to camp conditions the wound became infected, then gangrenous. Family lore holds that he amputated the toe himself in order to save his life from the spreading gangrene. He was taken to the prison hospital and eventually to Mower General Hospital in Philadelphia.

Matthias was discharged in June, 1865 at Chestnut Hill Hospital in Schuyler, Pennsylvania. But the story of the revolver doesn’t end there. He had either retained it thru his imprisonment or was given it back at the end of his incarceration at the prison. The results of his wounds and subsequent healing in less than ideal conditions haunted him the rest of his life. But the revolver. That small reminder of what seemed a century ago. Given to him by someone close to him when he left to fight the ‘good fight’. That little revolver, now inoperable and effectively useless by any standard. He kept it. It has been passed down from family member to family member for 160 years.

Which brings me to the conclusion of part of Matthias’ story. That revolver made its way to my shop workbench thru a chance set of circumstances. The current owner was hoping for it to once again be functional. My Gunsmith and I set about carrying out that task. Credit is due to my gunsmith (he is also my son) for his tireless efforts to make this revolver once again functional. As an engineer he took it as a personal ‘challenge’. One thing about Tim. He doesn’t give up easily. Within a few weeks he had created a new part for the cylinder to ride on, removed the offending brass tormentor and corrected all parts that had ceased to work. While our complete recommendation is never to fire it again for the possibility of damaging it (or worse, the person firing it), it now operates almost identically to before it was rendered useless by the Andersonville guards.

Matthias outlived many of his captors, and lived to the age of 69, He died February 2, 1909 and is interred in Liberty Township at peace, no longer fighting that ‘Good Fight’ or any other battle, resting in peace.

What you see below are before and after photos of that small revolver, a Smith & Wesson Model 1, 2nd Issue. Its story is still being told and will continue to be told to Matthias’ descendants thru the years. My hope and prayer is it will never be fired in anger again.

My son had the pleasure (his words) of working on this small but important part of American history. My gun collecting buddies stood around a table in my shop one afternoon and asked if they could just hold the revolver for a closer inspection. I just had the pleasure of working with its owner and reporting the results.

The pictures you see below tell this part of the story pretty clearly… We all do our part in this adventure we get to live

Every One Truly Does Have A Story !

Credits

Mick Crowder
Owner