George Armstrong Custer's Personal 7th Cavalry Footlocker...

Description

George Armstrong Custer's Personal 7th Cavalry Footlocker

A wooden footlocker with "G. A. CUSTER" stenciled in white on the front. Below that, someone added "Monroe, Michigan." Original iron hasps and latch. Excellent condition with fine patina from use.

It has been suggested that Monroe, Custer's hometown, was the trunk's final destination, perhaps used to convey personal effects after Little Bighorn. It was noted by Butterfield's & Butterfield's when the same footlocker was auctioned in 1995, that "The footlocker, was eventually purchased from the Custer Family by Dr. Lawrence Frost, noted Custer historian and collector." Many remaining pieces from that collection are now housed in the Monroe County Library. In 2012, Heritage sold a very similar footlocker, with nearly identical measurements and construction, belonging to Colonel Elmer Otis who assumed command of the 7th Cavalry after Custer's death, suggesting that this was perhaps a standard footlocker issued to officers.

This great Custer artifact was originally obtained from the family and became part of the renowned Alex Acevedo Collection. It was purchased in the April 1995 auction of that collection by Butterfield & Butterfield, where it sold for $30,250 [lot #8].

Dimensions: 37 ½ x 19 ½ x 21 ½ inches



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