Summer 2026 Premier Firearms & Militaria Auction
August 6th, 7th, 8th, & 9th, 2026
This auction will feature an outstanding collection of items spanning multiple categories including Modern, Military, Sporting, & Antique firearms & militaria! Below is just a small grouping of select highlights from the massive offering to be featured in this upcoming sale!
PRESENTATION US STAFF SWORD OF ABOLITIONIST MAJ ROBERT M. COPELAND, PICTURED ON COVER OF “SWORDS OF THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR”
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Maj. Robert M. Copeland (1830-1874) Harvard graduate, was a staunch and outspoken abolitionist who was first commissioned lieutenant in 2nd Mass, May 1861, where he was friend of fellow Lt. Robert Gould Shaw. Copeland was maybe the first strong advocate of black soldiers who lobbied from beginning of service in writing and in person to Sec. of War Edwin Stanton which made him a target among the political power in Washington. He would be cashiered from army August 6, 1862 for his views and not be exonerated until 1870 by decree of President US Grant.
“At the outbreak of war”, Copeland wrote, “I had been fully convinced that the best hope of success lay in enlisting the black Americans in our armies. Besides their value as soldiers, the history of past times seemed to teach, that men in no way are better fitted for freedom than by fighting for it.” From page 8 of 1864 published “Statement of R. Morris Copeland, Asst. Adjutant General and Major of Volunteers”.
Lt. Robert Gould Shaw, wrote of Copeland’s views in 1861. “Mr. Copeland…told me he had a long talk with General Banks about making use of the negroes against Secessionists. I thought it was a waste of breath, but we hear today that Banks has offered him a place on his staff, which shows he thinks a good deal of his opinion. Copeland’s sole subject of thought, now, seems to be slavery, and he is always fuming and raging about it.”
Copeland could not play the political game in Washington, even Lincoln after meeting with him, told him as paraphrased by Copeland “The fact is, I am inclined to believe that you are a mischief-making fellow, and good for but little as an officer, and capable of doing a great deal of harm; and therefore, the sooner you are out of the service, the better.”
Model 1850 staff sword, pictured on cover & pages 90-92 of Richard Bezbek’s “SWORDS OF THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR”, 31″ etched blade with patriotic motifs, “LAMBERT & MAST / PHILADELPHIA” agent marked, fancy engraved scabbard mounts and presentation plaque “PRESENTED TO / MAJOR R. M. COPELAND / BY / COL. J. K. Murphy, Major M. Scott / Capt. L. C. KENSLER, Lieut. W. H. Murphy / of the 29th Regt Penna. Vols / Feb. 27th 1862”. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: copy of 66 page 1864 “Statement of R. Morris Copeland, Asst. Adjutant General and Major of Volunteers”, research file. Copy of excellent 2015 article by Patrick Browne “The Cashiering of Major Robert Morris Copeland”. Biographic data of Copeland find him to be a brilliant early landscape architect, Samuel Colt’s Armsmear among his famous projects. PROVENANCE: Marcus Porpora lifelong sword collection. STATUS: NON-GUN.
