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Auction: 314 - Numismatic Collector's Series Sale
Lot: 1074

ND (1865) George Custer´s Cavalry Division Badge Issued to Benjamin B. Tuttle. 10.07gms - silver shell, bar ribbon. 38mm across/42mm high/2mm thick. By: Hunt & Co. Design: Inside inner circle, leftward facing bust of Custer with name above, wreath around, five points radiate from circle with spurs and boots in angles, flags with crosses swords at left and right with large set of crossed swords at top. Crossbar: Hand engraved "Capt. B.B. Tuttle Co. D. 1. C. C. V." with flourishes.The Union´s Custer Cavalry Badge was adopted by General Custer and issued to Captain Benjamin B. Tuttle of Bridgeport, Connecticut. Tuttle entered the Army as part of the Connecticut 1st Cavalry in November of 1861, eventually rising to the rank of Captain of the "D" company on February 2, 1865 and mustering out in August 1865. The crossbar, attached at the top of the ribbon with pin back, references the Captain rank, thus dating the piece towards the end of his duty. According to a period advertisement of the medal, red ribbons, as was used on the present, were given to the 1st Brigade with white being second and blue being third.Like examples are certainly rare, as the last traceable example to reach public auction was sold as part of the John J. Ford Collection, Part VII in January 2005. That example, incomplete, was missing the original ribbon and bar that identified ownership - a pin had also been added on back to allow for presentation without ribbon. Close inspection reveals a subtle difference in the two medals - the Ford specimen having a "3" on both flags that flank the central design while the present has crossed swords.The Tuttle badge has acquired a deep olive-gray patina with a minuscule tick here and there of little visual consequence. Two tiny stems are originally present at the bottom of the medal, one appearing to having broken off at one time. The silk red ribbon remains exceptionally fresh with bright color and a tight weave. Lastly, the engraved silver pinback flourish bar is toned at the edges with brilliance at the centers where the name engraving is encoutered. A minor bend is noted. Certainly a significant offering, both because of its relation to Custer and its direct attachment to a Union soldier. While the connection remains unknown, the inclusion of this medal alongside several of Custer´s personal affects is intriquing and could spur further reasearch into a closer linkage between the two.

Sold for
$9,000