Doyle, I will be more than happy to email pictures of the weapon to you – just need an email address. Owners of the weapon have studied the stamping more closely and are of the opinion that it reads “W.J. Chearnley, maker, Pine Bluff, Arks.”

Re Devall’s Bluff: Future companies A, B, C, D, & E were formed into a battalion at Camp Pike #2 and placed under the command of Asa S. Morgan, after which they took up station at Fort Hindman, Devall’s Bluff, on 18 Jun 1862. According to Hindman’s report in the O.R., the battalion had yet to be armed at this point with anything more than shotguns, sporting rifles, pikes and lances. This fits with a requisition submitted by Major Oscar Platosz, who was in command of an “unattached” battalion (comprised of future companies A, B, & C, 26th Arkansas), for 300 pikes. This particular requisition also listed muskets, cartridge boxes, cartridges, etc., but those items had been crossed over, which suggests that armament wasn’t yet available, and that the aforementioned shotguns and sporting rifles could have been personal arms, possibly including Private Malone’s weapon.

Hindman’s report: O.R., Series 1, Vol 13, Chap XXV, page 36.

Special Order #4. Army of the South West-
Capt Morgan is hereby assigned to duty as Lt Col and Capt F. P. Yell as Major of the Battalion lately commanded by Major Platosz, to take rank from this date.
Major Platosz is relieved from duty as drill officer of Col Morgan’s Battalion and will report for duty to Gen Roane.