Photo Gallery: Lt. Col. Thomas Wheeler’s Military Artifacts – New London County Historical Society

To learn more about these artifacts, follow this link to our newsletter article “Lt. Col. Thomas Wheeler: The Evidence of Service”.

Lt. Col. Thomas Wheeler: The Evidence of Service

Two Ketland & Co. brass flintlock pistols, ca. 1760, with matching fitted leather holsters.

Left side of pistol A

Trigger assembly, hammer, and lock of pistol A

Detail of the Ketland & Co. makers’ mark on pistol A

Detail of the engravings on the trigger guard, the acorn finial, and Thomas Wheeler’s carved initials on pistol A

“London” engraved proof mark on barrel of pistol A

Proof marks “P” and “V” on pistol A

“To B.P. Wheeler” written on a piece of tape stuck on pistol A

Initials “WW” on the thumb plate of pistol A

Right side of pistol B

Trigger assembly and lock of pistol B; the hammer has been removed and rust has ruined most of the engravings

Detail of the engravings on the trigger guard and the acorn finial on the underside of pistol B

Thomas Wheeler’s carved initials on the underside of pistol B

“London” engraved proof mark on barrel of pistol B

Initials “WW” on the thumb plate of pistol B

Thomas Wheeler’s cavalry saber, ca. 1796

Hand grip of Thomas Wheeler’s cavalry saber

Thomas Wheeler’s steel riding spurs

Detail of the spur’s rowel

Commission of Thomas Wheeler, making him a First Lieutenant in the 4th Company of Cavalry, 3rd Regiment, Connecticut State Militia. Signed by Connecticut governor Oliver Wolcott, May 23, 1796, at Hartford, Connecticut

Commission of Thomas Wheeler, making him a Captain in the 4th Troop of Horse, 3rd Regiment, Connecticut State Militia. Signed by Connecticut governor Oliver Wolcott, May 17, 1797, at Hartford, Connecticut

Commission of Thomas Wheeler, making him a Major in the 3rd Regiment of Cavalry, Connecticut State Militia. Signed by Connecticut governor Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., May 22, 1801, Hartford, Connecticut

Commission of Thomas Wheeler, making him a Lieutenant Colonel, Commandant of the 3rd Regiment of Cavalry, Connecticut State Militia. Signed by Connecticut governor Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., May 15, 1801, Hartford, Connecticut