Stippled Roman Cavalry Button
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This is a minty 25 mm. Confederate cavalry button with the "H T & B/
Manchester" backmark. These pretty buttons were bought by the Confederacy directly from their English manufacturer and run into a Southern port through the Union warship blockage. These are not common in this condition. Believe it or not, this item was discovered in the bottom of an old cigar box full of much later junk!
Eagle Breastplate
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Old collections are a marvellous source of the most exciting items! This Eagle Breastplate was found in the deadly Peach Orchard of Gettysburg during the 1950's before detecting was officially forbidden. It once adorned the chest of a Union troop who would have worn it on his cartridge box shoulder strap. Likely he did not leave the field unscathed... Metal detectors evolved from minesweeper technology in World War II. Soon, industrious collectors were applying their huge primitive systems to Civil War battle sites. The debate still rages hotly: Do we dig up the relics in order to remember the dead who carried them, or do we leave such items in the ground to corrode away beside the dead who rest??? No matter what you believe, digging on government lands is absolutely NOT allowed now, under threat of very stiff penalties. And permission must always be gotten from the owners of private lands.
Dated Smoothside Canteen with Cover & Sling
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This is a Union smoothside canteen of Civil War vintage. Soldiers used to cook meals over camp fires in half of a split canteen. The cloth cover was originally blue but quickly faded and tattered with field use. Few of these CW canteens made it home with any cover at all. Its three strap loops were sufficient for toting it with a basic strap. This artifact still has its original canvas sling which is stamped in ink "Aug.12,1864" The cork is tethered by a chain and the pewter spout is maker marked.
Period Zouave-type Ball Buttons
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Zouave buttons were rounded "ball buttons" most often gilded in shiny brass but sometimes silvered. They were worn in long single or double rows upon showy Zouave frock coats or doublets. Earlier buttons had makers "marks" or manufacturer's notation on back of the button surround the sewing eyelet (shank). These buttons are often dug alongside more traditional State and Government-issued uniform buttons. Larger one is coat sized, non-dug specimen at 18 millimeters. Smaller is a dug vest. Backmark on brass example reads: Scovill Mfg Co. Waterbury", while the silvered coat marking reads "Extra Rich" referring to the richness or thickness of the silver plating.
Droop Wing Eagle Confederate Coat Button
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This is a coat sized Confederate officer's button for General Staff, known as a droop wing variety. Normally, it would've been sewn in a double-breasted row down the front of the officer's jacket or frock coat. Dug buttons are amazingly sturdy little things. It is hard to imagine that after 140 years of freezing and thawing underground, they still are excavated looking just like this. Of course, a lot has to do with the chemical condition of the soil and its water-table. Some buttons get a "ground-action" or surface corrosion from the effect of minerals or water in their environment. Others barely change and even manage to keep a fair degree of gold "gilt" to their face designs. As in this example, the remaining gilt sets off the design of the eagle beautifully. Sometimes buttons were made with tin or iron backpieces which tended to rust through much more quickly than brass backs. The shank or upright loop at the back for sewing the button to the coat can either be intact, bent, or broken off. Many times, the manufacturer of the button would mark the back with his company name(called a backmark...) But in this case, there is a blank backpiece with no maker being so named. When buttons were cast quickly in local shops, these "locals" often had similar blank backs. Such is the case with many Confederate buttons. This measures 21 mm diameter.
Civil War Period Vermont Kepi
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This is a Civil War enlistedman's kerpi, the most common headgear of the Civil War period. It was clearly no protection against impact by bullets, flying shrapnel or the back of a swung enemy rifle. Although these wore well and dried in the sun after a soaking rain, they were favored by moths when stored in closets after the war. Thus, many did not survive to this day. Those that did have "moth nips" or holes where the larvae that hatched from moth eggs once fed. The kepis of the later Indian Wars tend to be a bit smaller in dimension with a slightly different construction and of-course side buttons made after 1865. Would you go into battle wearing only a piece of blue or grey cloth on your head??? Made by: Schuyler, Hartley & Graham, NY, (backmarked on the pair of Vermont State Seal side buttons)
Large Brass Crossed Cavalry Saber Hat Insignia
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This is a beautiful preserved crossed saber hat insignia in
3 3/8" brass. Has all four wire loops soldered in back as per CW. Nice oaky-brown patina. From an old collection.
Probably was surplus at end of CW war. These are getting tough!!! NICE!!!
Civil War Officer's Eagle Sword Belt Plate and Belt.
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A cast-brass Officer's Sword Belt plate of fine quality~ numbered on the hook with a matching keeper, both held on an original ribbed-style belt with one of its two hangers still remaining. The sword belt hangers attached by clips to the carrying-rings of a sword's scabbard. Some were adapted with two sets of clips, a higher positioned one (shown here) for walking and then the longer hangers meant for riding horses. After putting on his coat, an officer could simply latch together the heavy buckle to hold his sword rig up by the tight fit of his sword belt. A quick way to scamper off to battle. This was recently found in a barn in Maine!
Triple Bordered Infantry Major's Shoulder Board
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Regulations were not strictly enforced on officer's uniforms during the Civil War, especially during the early rush to get large numbers of commissioned leaders into the field. Thus, many accourements were special-ordered from local supply houses which took proud liberties with both the size and design-complexity. Thus, during the Civil War only, these rank shoulder boards (or straps) often sported double or triple borders. To the Armies of the North & South, size apparently did matter: with bigger beards, bigger cannon and bigger straps. All well and good until snipers started selectively picking off officers at a great distance with sad success. Near the end of the war, permission was officially given by the War Office not to wear them in active fighting areas. This one shows the gold oak leaf of a major with a blue field of nap for Infantry. The black cotton backing has moth nips. These boards were usually built upon a slab of stiffened burlap, cardboard or canvas. Measures slightly bigger than regulation size: 2 1/4" wide x 4 1/4" long.
WWII ID'D Nurse's Army Jacket
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This is a tapered US Army officer's jacket in near perfect condition for 1st Lt. Velma Deuel, an Army Nurse who's cuff marks indicate she served at least 12 months in a theter of war. The ruptured duck insignia indicates she finished out World War II. In addition, her gold 1st Lt. Bars AND two "N"
(nurse) Cedeusus (Double snakes) medical lapel pins are present. Name tag inside at nape indicates "ANC" or Army Nursing Corps.
Union Knap Sack Hooks and Grommets
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Found scattered about campsites and battlefields are various metal attachments that survived the rigors of being underground for over 100 years before metal detectors evolved to allow their discovery. The earth under many battle & skirmish sites is literally peppered with such items. In fact, private fields, forests and farms still yield such relics. The lead and brass items survive very well. But iron rusts and flakes (spalls) away. Very rarely leather & cloth have actually survived in a dry "airlock" location underground. It is fortunate that the soldier's themselves have returned "dust to dust" into the earth. They are at rest. Thus, it is wholly relieving to know that bones and bodies are never found. Ocassionally, the assortment of buttons, plates and weapons at one spot make one wonder if a soldier might have fallen at that spot and left his things behind there. But that man is already with the Greater Spirit.
Carbine Sling Buckle & Batwing: Gaylord
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When riding on horseback, the cavalryman often kept his carbine closely-ready by his side through the use of a carbine belt sling draped over his shoulder. The gun was then suspended by a pivoting snap-clip to it. In this way, the soldier could pause and quickly draw up his carbine for firing at the enemy. The carbine sling was a essentially a wide leather belt that was adjustable in overall length to fit the trooper. Thus, it had a strong cast-metal buckle to hold it at the chosen length. This is one such carbine-belt buckle. The "batwing" comes from the free end of the belt, applied much in the same way as modern belts that have metal tips on their ends to pass through the buckles. There is a nice brownish-green patina from the metal gradually toning in the soil. The buckle is marked by its maker: E.Gaylord, Chicopee, Mass, US, and shows the mark of a United States military inspector: T.J.Shepard.
Civil War French Chasseur Shako
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This is a very nice example of the French Chasseur Shako. In 1861 the Federal Quartermaster ordered 10,000 complete uniform sets, including these fancy leather "tarbuckets". These were issued to 62nd & 83rd PA, the 18th Mass, and the 49th & 72nd New York Regiments. This example is correct all around. Has the large, original infantry-eagle plate, red-white-blue cockade, and a lovely reddish-orange pom. Marked 5 1/2 inside. There is no chin strap left. Minor inward dip to crown but no cracks or breaks in it. The brim is slightly upturned but solid. Overall, it's sturdy and good-looking.
AMAZING BANNERMAN CIVIL WAR RELIC BOX!!!
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This is a heavy oak shadowbox prepared and sold by Bannerman's Military Supply House in New York City after the Civil War. Fourteen (14) period hat insignia are attached to plush red velvet nap. They include: Model 1858 Infantry Horn; CW Period Engineers Castle; Model 1861 Mounted Rifleman (perpendicular horn); 1834 Infantry Horn (Hanging from tasseled cord); 1822-34 Infantry Eagle; TWO larger 3 5/8" Crossed sabers (1858 Cavalry); Hardee Hat Eagle Plate; Kepi Letters "D" and "F" (one inch) and a gothic Zouave "3"; smaller 1858 Forage Cap Crossed-Cannon; Larger 1858 crossed cannon (more common CW variety) and CW period Ordinance Bomb. It even has the original paper label from Bannerman's still pasted on the rear panel. Proud veterans purchased such wall displays for their homes in order to recall those insignia which were most commonly seen during their days of military service. Dens, libraries, offices and Veterans' Halls often found such display units occupying their walls. There was also a huge market for military-themed paper-weights, jewelry, inkwells, door stops, canes, umbrella stands, flagpole bases, lighting fixtures, and practically any other decorative device related back to "the War". This particular item comes from the estate of an actor who happened to star in Civil War Movies and received this as a gift on one of those film sets. It is interesting to know that the cast of early movies were often costumed with real Civil War guns, swords and uniforms because original surplus items were still considered cheap old junk.
CSA Medium Fork-Tongued Belt, Petersburg, VA.
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This is a "medium" sized CSA fork-tongue buckle that was excavated from Petersburg, VA theater. Kerksis tells us these were sand-cast from copper. 3 1/2" x 2 5/16". They were some of the more common types of "plain" buckles used on the heavy waist belts of Confederate troops. Sturdy, with two thick prongs holding each position, they were much easier to produce than fancy two pieced cuckles of state-seal plates. This has a softer medium brown patina.
Colonel of the Union Infantry Shoulder Board
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This is a fantasic-looking Colonel of the Union Infantry shoulder board or rank strap. Colonels were in command of Regiments of 1000 men. This has the typical Civil War construction, with a bold and sequined eagle and characteristic double border. A sky blue field of nap indicates the branch of service to be Infantry. (Red was for Artillery and Yellow for Cavalry) The scattered wear indicates that this actually saw service with a Colonel rather than being a mint surplus item. The open-backed construction is consistent with the Civil War. (Later straps has backs that were completely sewn closed.) No moth nipping to the cloth. Measures-in at a big, bold 4 7/8 inches x 1 7/8 inches. This is a stunning item.
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Cloth 14th Corps Cloth Badge for Kepi
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This is cloth 14th Corps Badge with outlining wire border that attests to its Civil War vintage. This could be sewn to the top of a kepi or applied to a frock coat. These items tend to be rare, having frequently been discarded over the years along with the moth-damaged caps and coats that bore them. 2 3/8" by 1 1/2".
Little Horseshoes?? Boot Heel Plate
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Sometimes a novice relic hunter finds a "horseshow" from a pony or tiny horse, right? (Not!) These are actually iron heel plates that were added to shoes, boots and brogans to lengthen their life of the march. If your shoes wore through, you kept marching anyway... and your feet became a bloody, blistered mess which were prone to pain & disease. Besides these, there were less durable plates made of brass as well as small end taps. Some soldier left this iron heel plate behind at Cold Harbor. Hope that's all they left. There were 12,000 casualties at this location
Cloth Bullion Officer's Kepi Horn: 35th Regiment
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Officers often purchased custom hand-made insignia for their kepis and slouch hats. Most of these roughly-adhered to specific army regulations as to size and construction techniques but much liberty was taken by commanders wishing to show-off a bit. Gold sequins, gold bullion wire and fancy stitching accentuated many such devices. This Union officer's kepi horn for the 35th regiment of the Infantry is embroidered in bright gold bullion thread along with incorporated sequins. This entire design is encircled by a perimeter of thin gold wire which was
typical of Civil War period pieces. The dark blue felt cloth upon which this has been built-up would then have been placed upon the front of a kepi or slouch hat. Overall 2 1/2" by 2".
One of the best you'll get!
Zouave Style Kepi Company Letter
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This 5/8 inch brass company letter "J" for the kepi of soldiers shows the fancier or more-flowing Gothic design known now as the "Zouave type." It came from a small box of Civil War items in the estate of Vermont State Quarter Master, General George Franklin Davis.
South Carolina Sword Belt Plate Tongue: Savannah, Ga.
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Now this is NOT something you find everyday: The brass tongue section to a South Carolina two-piece tongue & wreath sword-belt plate. This was found near Sanannah, Georgia. (Dropped while visiting Scarlett?) The applied state crest is present only in a 30% fragment which shows the center of S.C. seal (trunk of Palmetto), the lined background, and lettered (motto) around edges. This is clearly the same style plate from Kerksis' Book, Figure #399. A deep green patina. Old collection.
Captain Mounted Riflemen Triple-Border Straps
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This pair of shoulder straps is most rare and unique in my mind. Green velvet nap: Mounted Riflemen.
The TRIPLE border is unique to Civil War Period. Alternating dead and bright bullion. The gold captain's bars are double rowed and adhere to Civil War period placement. Size is an impressive 4 3/4" by 2". Back is unfinished. The brass wire has toned to golden-brown. The central nap about 75% present on one, and 40% present on the other.
Confederate Clip-cornered Belt Plate
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This is a classic CSA "clip corner" belt plate. These were made quickly by local Southern metalshops from sheet brass and soldered on hooks. This one still bears it's prong but has lost the hooks, the probable reason for its being discarded. The site of origin is unknown. 3 1/8" by 2 1/4". This demonstrates the short supply of quality materials available to Southern armies but their determination and resourcefulness in making do.
Confederate Block "I" Coat Button
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A 22 millimeter Confederate "I" or Infantry troop coat button. The plain iron backpiece indicates manufacture by a smaller "local" Southern shop. It tends to be one of the more common Confederate buttons to be recovered from Civil War sites.
Original CW Period Artillery Kepi Badge
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This is an embroidered artillery kepi badge displaying the lined numerical "4" of the regiment. It was sewn onto the front of the soldier's kepi or hat as a designation of artillery and a way to take pride in one's regiment. There is a decorative wire border consistent with Civil War Period or slightly earlier time. The crossed cannon are set on a black velvet field sewn over canvas base. A similar example is shown on page 10 of Laframboise's book on US service insignia.
North Carolina State Coat Button
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This is a nice looking North Carolina State button with blank brass back. In the South, small regional shops churned out items needed by both state and government forces. These items were known as being of "local" manufacture. They often tend to be more basic in design and simpler in construction, usually bearing no maker's mark. Such is the case with this North Carolina button. You will note how the design is not highly detailed. Yet it has a pretty patina or age-coloring to its metal. Site of recovery is unknown
Maine Coat button with uniform section
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As their uniforms deteriorated, old soldiers preserved the buttons and insignia, sometimes leaving a swatch of uniform cloth with each button. Occasionally, the children would each take one of dad's old war buttons as a remembrance of his service to the Union. This is a State of Maine Staff officer's coat button. The front of this coat button shows the state seal, while the reverse has a circa 1860 impressed SCOVILL MF'G CO. WATERBURY backmark. I am told that this relic came out of an upstate Massachusetts attic.
Civil War Confederate Tin Drum Canteen with Strap
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A fully original, tin CSA drum canteen with its cotton strap! The spout and all three strap loops are intact. (No cork) There is a small pinhole in the body (see pictures) so this is no longer watertight (but who would do that anyway???) It is a very solid piece with a medium brown patina to the tin. Measures 6" diameter by 2" depth. No ID. Probably brought home as a souvenir as a Union troop. A later field pickup would not have the strap...
Union Infantry Officer's Embroidered Kepi Horn
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These insignia were sewn onto Union officer's kepis and louch hats to denote their branch or service: Bugle or horn for the infantry; Crossed-Sabers for the Cavalry; Castle for the Engineer; and Crossed Cannon for the Artillery. The enlisted man received plain stamped-brass insignia badges, but the officers often used custom-made devices like this one, which were hand-made of gold-thread or bullion with actual sequin accents. The wire border rim indicates a Civil War period construction, as the wire border was abandoned after the Civil War by regulation. Occasionally, metallic regiment numbers and company letters were added by the officer in spaces above and below the device. A darker blue or black cloth denotes General Staff while lighter to medium blue indicates the Regular Army Infantry units. A canvas base or backpiece assists in stabilizing components and stiffend device for sewing to hat. Size is roughly: 1/2" x 1 3/4".
US BELT PLATE FROM FRIED MEAT RIDGE, WVA
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This is a very lovely looking US Belt Plate recovered from Fried Meat Ridge in West Virginia. It has a nice honey patina to its face and an intact back. The small scratches and dings found on such plates demonstrate their "real" character~ having actually been through a tough daily existence with fighting men. By way of these "scars" you know that this baby was really there! The soft patinas to old metal relics are sure signs of honest aging. Thus, we do not over-clean these artifacts, for these are their battle wounds, like some invincible kid coming home smudged from his first street battle against regretful foes. The custom case shows how true collectors can proudly display and enhance their treasures.
Union Navy Commander's Shoulder Board
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This is a Civil War Navy Commander's shoulder board or strap. Worn on the frock or officer's coat, these insignia demonstrate rank. Construction of such boards evolved in size, complexity and materials from the Civil War to present day. This item definitely shows the proper Civil War features: size, of 4 inches by 1 1/2 inches; a 1/4 inch border of alternating bright and dull bullion; open back construction on a stiffened burlap board; and device designs.The dark blue nap used for a background field is perfect and the gold oak leaves and anchor in fine condition. Coats were often devoured over the years in closets by moths and eventually discarded. But families often cut off the shoulder boards as more-sturdy momentoes. Naval boards are much more scarce than those of the army officers due to the lesser numbers of sailors verses soldiers.
Cast Confederate I Button and Butternut Fabric
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This is a cool set! The button is a one-piece cast Confederate "I" with a lovely green-brown patina. (Tice CS 1275) The swatch of butternut cloth is an actual piece of a Confederate uniform found in the ground at Chancellorsville in the 1970's. It's amazing that depending on ground conditions and how it was bunched, cloth and leather can still be preserved in the ground after more than 100 years. Still, it is not common. Who knows what happened to the trooper once wearing this garment during Lee's great victory at Chancellorsville...
Civil War Union Admiral's Shoulder Boards
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This is a shoulder board for the uniform of a Union Admiral. Amazingly, it was discovered by a junk "picker" up in New England, where it was randomly tossed in a box of cheap assorted stuff. The dimension, open-back construction and use of alterating dead/bright bullion wire in the border indicates a Civil War date of manufacture. The hand workmanship on the stars is especially nice. The cloth backings and velvet nap fields of shoulder boards are a favorite food of closet moths. But the borders, decorative devices and stiffened inner support boards are not. Many rank straps were saved by nostalgic soldiers or their children long-after their frock coats were totally eaten-away by moths and varmints while in storage for decades. Thus, we still see shoulder boards on the modern collecting marketplace, while we do not see the actual uniforms very much outside of sealed museum cases.
CW Mounted Rifles Kepi Insignia
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This is a die-pressed brass insignia worn upright on the kepi of a Union troop in the Mounted Rifles. These were small regiments that were phased out early in the course of the Civil War. Thus, this type of insignia was not produced in large numbers and tends to be uncommon. Nevertheless, we often see these included in displays of insignia made by post-war military companies for collectors from the 1890's onward, so they were certainly known and sought after. For every one of these issured, there were probably tens of thousands of plain "infantry horn" kepi badges issued. It's a full 3 1/2 by 1 1/2" and very finely detailed. The appropriate CW period wire loops are attached with vintage solder.
Early CW period Box-framed Knapsack.
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This is one of the wooden-framed, box-type knapsacks which were common at the start of the Civil War. Used by State Militia and going into service during the rush to get troops quickly into the field at the start of hostilities, they were eventually replaced by lighter knapsacks of tarred canvas. When possible, seasoned troops preferred to "lose" these, carrying food and a few personal items in a small haversack. Normally, these Box-framed knapsacks had a series of leather straps and buckles to keep them held around the shoulders, chest and waist. The outer flap is painted "8" for the regiment and lifts to expose the inside compartment. There is an old ID tag attributing this to "L.R. Tracey" 8 Regt, New York.
False Embroidered Union Infantry Horn
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This is a nice, Union officer's "false embroidered" brass kepi insignia from the CW period. The hunting horn was the symbol of the infantry prior to the Civil War. It was changed to a crossed-rifles design immediately afterward during the Indian Wars of the late 1800's. This has brass wire attachments on back for holding it to the front of the kepi or soldier's cap. Using stamped brass to look like fancy threading or embroidery was cheaper and more durable than having a cloth sewn-on insignia actually made by a military clothier. Measures 2 & 7/8" wide by 1 & 3/4".
SKW Birmingham Block A cuff button/ Malvern Hill
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This is a very cool cuff button, a 15 mm lined-A (CSA artillery)by the firm of SKW from Birmingham, England. Found at Malvern Hill, VA. is has no shank but shows the really distinctive maker's backmark. There is a moth with SKW in its body! Neat.
Captain of the Union Cavalry Shoulder Board
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This splendid example of a large, double-bordered Captain rank shoulder board for the Union forces. It comes from the family of Senator Edmund Gibson Ross, a U.S. Senator from Kansas, 1866-71 who served first as a captain and then a major in the Union Army during the Civil War. He later was the Territorrial Governor of New Mexico from 1885-1889. It measures 1 3/4" by 4 3/4" with a closed-back construction. A privately-purchased, custom accoutrement was bought before the Government cracked down on the variations of outside suppliers.
Gettysburg: Georgia State Seal Cartridge Box Plate
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This Georgia cartridge box plate comes from an old collection when relic hunting was still legal on the grounds of Gettysburg. It was found in the "Slaughter Pen," that mucky wet woods between Devil's Den and the Little Round Top where quick death rather than survival prevailed. In the freeze-thaw of a watery area, these plates tend to lose their lead and curl-in upon themselves after a hundred years. The central section of this plate remained in excellent condition with the Georgia State Seal's details keeping very clear & crisp. But when found, the edges were deteriorated away. Thus, the rim of this plate has been quite expertly restored. Some fill to the rear lead was also added at edges for looks & stability. It is next to impossible to see the points of repair. The plate has a cupping or curl to it (the way dinner plates are curved up from the table...) due to the freeze-thaw effect. The iron loops are rusted away but their stubs are still vaguely evident. The State Seal is all original and amazing. To think that a Georgian CSA troop fighting on Day Two of Gettysburg carried this most probably to his death, within sight of Chamberlain and the 20th Maine atop the craggy hill ahead is certainly a sombering thought. Completely undamaged plates like this one are usually listed in excess of $3000 due to rarity. Therefore, this is a bargain, especially in consideration of its tremendous site of origin. Naturally it is fully guaranteed.
Silver Gilted Virginia Cuff by Smith & Co.
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This is a 15 mm with silver-gilting that was originally a cuff or vest button on a Virginia Confederate's uniform. Was it lost during a march, in battle or upon a discarded uniform after his death? The many decades of water and chemical reactions from being in the soil before recovery are evident on the face where the gilt has flaked away. Also, there is much corrosion on the non-gilted metallic back. It is a matter of heated, ongoing debate whether such relics should be left in the "hallowed ground" to deteriorate where they were originally lost, or if it might be better to excavate these historic items so that we might contemplate the men, the war, the glory & futility. Email and tell us your opinion...
Confederate Wooden-Pegged Boot Heel
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This is so very cool! Shoes or brogans, as well as boots often had their soles and heels attached by use of many little wooden pegs driven into the base of the uppers. We still sometimes find boxes of surplus wooden pegs in old store houses these days. It is clear that these pegs went along with regiments for quick field repairs. Shoes were in such short supply that anything that could be worn WAS worn, better to tear up a crummy brogan than to tear up one's own feet. The South was especially desperate for shoes. In fact, Gettysburg became the site of a momentous battle because leading CSA units had heard rumors that there were stores of shoes in the town. If a piece of foot-wear could be repaired, it WAS! This particular heel comes from a CSA Camp at Brandy Station in Virginia. You can see the pegs protruding through to the inside. To think that this piece of leather was worn down during marches by a man who actually saw the Civil War!
Virginia State Seal Belt Plate: Battle of Williamsburg
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This is a rectangular die-stamped waist belt plate of heavy brass, possibly made by James S. Smith, Sons of New York by contract to State of Virginia. It was dug in Williamsburg, Virginia, the site of a large battle in 1862. This plate is about 2.00 inches high by about 2.7 inches across, being listed as #391 in Mullinax and #426 Kerksis books. There are no hooks left on back since they were added by spot-soldering and usually fell off rather quickly when exposed to the harsh freeze-thaw of being in the ground. This plate has a lovely deep green "woodsy" patina. The details of the Virginia State Seal are rather crisp and clear, being highlighted by some down-home red Virginia clay. Though made on a rather thick and sturdy piece of brass, this belt plate did not have a peaceful end. It is indented slightly to right of standing figure, as if struck by some projectile with fair force. This caused a bow or bend in the plate's center which left a very narrow stress crack along the rim and several others along the centerline beside the standing figure vertically. One might wonder what dashing young man wore this into battle and never returned to camp that evening...
Confederate Brogan from a CSA Supply Depot
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Twenty years ago, a post office was being built in Richmond, Virginia and the crews discovered that stores from a Confederate Depot had been buried under that site! Much was already rotted or well-beyond saving, but some items by virtue of the ground drainage and how they were tightly-packed together could still be salvaged. This simple Confederate leather brogan (shoe) was one of about twenty that warranted rescue. Look at the amazing degree of its preservation, considering over 100 years in the ground!!! The construction is typical of shoes that could be made quickly and cheaply in local shops for the Confederate forces who were desperate for any footwear. In fact, Gettysburg became the site of a cataclysmic battle simply because leading CSA forces had heard rumors of shoe supplies being in that city! In any case, notice the tiny wooden peg coinstruction by which the heel & sole are applied to the leather body. When these tiny little wooden pegs are found in tin cans these days, they commonly perplex people as to their original use. In some instances, small metal heel plates and toe taps were added to slowdown the wear on shoes. New diggers often yelp, "Look at the tiny horseshoe I found!" when in actuality, they've discovered a loose iron heelplate. It was a sad state of affairs that men who risked shot and shell often suffered more from blisters and trench foot. After a battle, deceased friend and foe were laid to rest side-by-side. But often without shoes, boots or brogans which could still be used by the living.
Paddle Wheel Captains Shoulder Boards
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These are very interesting: the shoulder boards for a frock coat of a Union Pasddle-Wheel Captain!!! In the Civil War period, paddle wheelers traveled the larger rivers and inland waterways, delivering soldiers, a multitude of supplies and even acting as hospital ships. These demonstrate the typical Civil War period size & construction. The stylized paddle-wheels as their device are very cool!
CW Period Shoulder Epaulette
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A single Epaulette from Civil War period bearing a General Service US button. Has back row of smaller diameter wire tassels, then front row of larger coiled tassels. The underside bears a maker's mark on the attachment clip "Horstman Brother & Allien New York" which assures that it is no later than the CW period. Such fancy items were worn on the shoulders of officers' coats during formal eventsw and dress parades, not used in battle.
Eagle Breast Plate for CartridgeBox Sling
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Purely "decorative" these die-stamped brass plates were worn on mid-chest by Union enlistedmen. They were said to glisten in the sun and make an excellent target for Confederate troops. Therefore, many Federal soldiers "lost" or discarded them after becoming wiser veteran fighters. This item still has the two wire prongs at back for attachment to the Cartridge Box Sling. Someone later scratched name of a soldier into the lead-filler at back, telling who had worn it during the Civil War. "Worn by Wm Alexander Civil War 1860"
A Minnesota Captain's Uniform Insignia
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After the war, most officers were permitted to keep their uniforms. This is a very interesting wall display assembled from a Union captain's uniform. We see the slouch hat cord around the edges; the two Union captain's shoulder boards; and an embroidered hunting horn that denotes an Infantry regiment. While coats and trousers were often eaten by moths after decades in closets or attics, many of these smaller decorative & rank accents survived.
Rounded Variation of Shoulder Board
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At the start of the American Civil War, Army regulations were not strictly enforced toward standardized uniform design. In fact, officers often purchased their own coats, hats and swords from private custom clothiers in larger cities. It was a chance to show some individuality and sense of unique persional style. In this case, we see a rather odd "rounded-border" variation to a Infantry Second Lieutenant's shoulder board. Regulations were tightened in the course of the war to set controlled requirements for size, construction and shape of uniforms & ecoutrements. Clerarly, the troops from various Regiments and differing States needed to recognize one another on the field of battle.
NCO Variety of Eagle Breast Plate
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A three-pronged eagle plate worn by Union non-commissioned officers on their cross-chest sword belts. Much less common than the typical eagle plates worn by privates with two iron loops on thew back. This is in fantastic "undug" condition which indicates it was brought home intact and not lost upon the battlefield.
Confederate Wooden Drum Canteen
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This is a wonderful piece of Confederate equipment. It is an original Confederate manufactured canteen. In the Confederacy metal was scarce but wood was abundant. The resourceful Southerners used wood to produce their canteens. This one is an excellent example of the Rebel ingenuity. It stands 2-3/8ths inches tall and is 7-1/2 inches across. The wood is all present except for the spout which is so often missing in action with these canteens. You can see that the bands that hold the canteen together are hand made and the width of the metal varies in thickness at spots. It has all three of the original tin strap loops present. One side of the canteen has the letters “MBS” carved into the wood and the other side has the letters “SMAR” possibly representing the names of long-past owners.
Knap Sacks, Canteens and Bedrolls...
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This CDV photograph shows a Union trooper dressed to march. He has a bedroll tyied above a tarred canvas double-bag knapsack (which straps around the front of shoulders and chest). You can also see his cloth-covered tin water canteen hanging by a long cloth strap at his side. By the war's end, experienced soldiers had learned to travel light in the sweltering Southern heat over long dusty roads. The knapsacks were either "lost" or filled with less. The canteens battered from frequent use. And anything bright & shiny, such as breast plates, disgarded so that they were not good targets...
Button Trove!
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At the close of the Civil War, who would have thought that certain brass uniform buttons would be worth thousands of dollars? Even 140 years later, groups of the more-scarce items still surface upon the modern antiques retail market. These Maryland State coat-buttons were recently found in a jar at someone's grandmother's house. They are all uncommon and in superb condition, bringing their owners a surprising windfall of over $1000 as a group! That's more than mere chocolate chips in that Granny's cookie jar!!!
Very Fancy Officer's Vest Button
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This is an extremely unusual and attractive Union Infantry button in the spread-winged "Eagle I" pattern. The wings are skillfully-worked with much fine detasil in this die design, showing scores of individual feathers and a similar effect upon the letter "I" upon the shield which represents the infantry branch of service. The backmark, "Fine Gold Plate", is uncommon and attests to the pride that early & mid-Nineteenth Century button manufacturers took in making more and more durable high-sheen buttons. This came from the estate of Hallie Jones, a great grand daughter of many Civil War Period individuals. One such being Lieutenant H. J. Hunter who served from 1861 to 1865 in the Ohio Volunteers and is buried in Betheda Cemetery, Montpelier, Ohio.
Rare 17-th Corps Union
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The various Union Corps had their own individual badges in order to help identify troops upon the field. But even moreso, the tradition was initiated to evoke a sense of unity & pride amongst troops who came from various states to serve together. This finely-crafted die-stamped brass arrow is indicative of the Union's 17-th Corps. It originally had a silver coating or "wash" which is wearing away from repeated cleanings over these many years. It has a loop for hanging from a uniform, but traces of solder on its rear suggest that it once had a bar-clasp-pin at the back. This is a very uncommon item!
Button Backmarks tell the tale....
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Button manufacturers of the 1800's almost always advertisaed their fine products by applying imprinted "backmarks" on the rear pieces of brass uniform buttons. This is found from the 1840's well through the Civil War and into the early 1900's... The exact design and wordinf of a manufacturer's backmark varied over the dacades. Thus, by knowing the evolution of each button company's backmarks, we can accurately date whether uniform buttons were made before, during or even after the period of the U.S. Civil War... Here is an example from the back of a Union cavalry button that looks exactly like a Civil War period item, and yet, this particular backmark was from the 1870's to 1890's period. As with anything, you need to "know your stuff" to properly know what is and isn't real Civil War vintage material...
Mississippi Infantry Arrive!
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The men of the hard-fought Mississippi Infantry wore this button. It is a hard one to find these days. But then again, the men of that state were uncommonly tough tmemselves!!!
Texan Button~ As Rare as Hen's Teeth
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True Texas Uniform buttons from the Civil War are as rare as hen's teeth. This one is in amazingly good condition for a dug button. On the modern marketplace, it would easily command over $1000... But to a true collector who has perhaps waited all of his life to own one, it is a treasured holy grail. Which young Texan carried it to glory or death in the name of the Confederacy???
Civil War Captain's Shoulder Boards from Ohio
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Nice pair of original Union Captain's Civil War period shoulder straps. The photos show their conditions. A note came included with them that offered the following information: "These Captain's shoulder boards were purchased at this antique shop from a descendant- she said that they belonged to Albert E. Craig's Grandfather. One G. Father fought for the North & one for the South." That note was not C.W. period and was written on the back of an antique shop business card dated 6-26-89. Size is about 3 7/8" long by 1 1/2" wide with the proper construction for Civil War period to face side. There is some fraying to the bullion wire of borders and bars on each. Field is dark blue making it likely General Staff or even Infantry. The backsides have a closed construction with later period shoe laces sewn to them in order to tie them to a display after the war. Sadly, there is no more information and just too many Union soldiers named Craig to narrow ID down much more...
Making Bone Buttons.
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Buttons for shirts, coats and particularly men's trousers were often made from animal bone which was plentiful on farms and in stockyards. These were still used extensively during the Civil War, especially by the Southerners. A thin slice of bone was used to cut out round disks which were then smoothed at edges and pierced for threads. Such a slice of animal bone that was clearly used to make buttons is seen here~ found in a Colonial period trash pit. Examples of bone buttons, the product of such a process, are shown with it. Bone buttons are commonly found at Civil War camp and battle sites.
Stunning Virginia Coat Button
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This is a nearly mint State of Virginia coat button as used by the Confederates from that State. It has a lot of shiny gilt still upon its face and an interesting manufacturer's backmark from Horstmann & Allien of New York. It is interesting how many buttons and uniform items came from the north just prior to the war and were worn into battle against Union troops.
Amazing Bow Tie Man!!!
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While the Hulk was Green and Spiderman red with webs... this Young Civil War Period lad might be known as "Bow Tie Man!" Whatever side he might have fought for during the Civil War, I'm sure his comrads had a flag painted on his huge tie to follow into battle! It is absolutely amazing how different some clothing was at that time: for instance, men rarely wear vests, long frock coats, tophats or boots these days. But they did not imitate us by wearing mohawks, tee shirts and short pants or tube tops, did they? The point is, no matter what the clothing styles of the era, the people inside are still just people, bound by a remote thread of life and common shared heritage.
COUNTERFEIT RELICS: BEWARE!
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Yes, people try to profit illegally off of everything, including American Civil War relics... This is a one-piece-cast counterfeit "Block I" Confederate button that was produced in an attempt to fool beginning buyers. It fooled me when I first started buying! Like anything, the more you ask, learn, and then know, the safer you are! Knowledge is not only power, but it is something that can keep you safe as well
Civil War Veterans Corps Hat Cord
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Civil War Period Hat cord used on Hardee hats of infantry & artillery as well as the slouch hats of cavalrymen to denote their branch of service. This light gray indicated assignment to the Veterans Corps in which injured and debilitated soldiers still could serve in non-combatant roles during the course of the Civil War. This was likely issued and actually used for it has a thread-reinforcing repair along the large side hat loop. The tassels are in great shape. Such hat cords were not much saved after the Civil War and thus are a bit hard to find these days.
Unique 18-th Corps Badge!
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Unusual Civil War 18th Corps Badge. The CW Corps Badge is 7/8" in overall height, appears Gilt and is pinbacked. The Civil War 18th Corps Badge has four 6 pointed stars in the design. The design of the piece is similar in style to the early badges that were sold to veterans as shown in Stanley Phillips' Corps Badge book. The piece is Nicely made, uniquely attractive and finely hand-detailed. Civil War Vets loved to proudly wear such devices on their coats as reminders of their Civil War service.
18-th Corps Badge
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A very interesting 18-th Corps Badge. Made of German "silver" with fine hand-added details by a jeweler, demonstrating the stylized shape of a four-cornered redoubt fort that was chosen to represent the corps. Has the rear C-clamp pin that was used during and just after the Civil War by soldiers. Measures 7/8" across. No soldier ID or maker's markings with it.
Two halves of a Gettysburg US Belt Plate
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These are two halves of a Union "US" beltplate that were discovered many years ago at a Civil War battlesite after a heavy rainfall. It is amazing that erosion can still bring up items from over a hundred years ago! The particular place where objects lay in the ground will determine what chemicals and minerals will affect them over time. Ground water can also cause corrosion. And the freeze-thaw cycle of winter can cause stress fissures or breaks in even metal items. It is sad to see items that are crumbling to nothing because the ground in their area has been too hard on them. Yet there are other times when a relic hunter's shovel will turn over dirt with a piece of preserved cloth or leather that has not rotted away since the 1860's! Civil War artifacts are like people: Some are more fragile while others survive longer under much tougher conditions. As soldiers will tell you, it's not just skill but also a lot of luck! These objects come from a very old Civil War collection and were collected under legal parameters in their day.
Union Plates and Leather from Under Floorboards!
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Things pop up in the craziest places! We've all heard stories about "Confederate" gold hidden behind walls, or old muskets dropped down abandoned wells, or skeletons "in the closet"... but things like this really happen. I've had bayonets and buckles found hidden in the trunks of old trees that were found by kids who are now in the eighties! Well, this Union cartridge box cover with its old brass US plate was found under the floorboards of an old house that was being demolished in Tennessee! Along with it came an Eagle Breast plate. Apparently, some old veteran hid his war souvenirs there and either forgot them or passed on. When such things happen, you wonder is it just luck, coincidence or Fate???
Dug CW Soldier's heel with wooden pegs...
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This is the thick leather heel from a CW soldier's shoe or boot. You can still see the hand-hammered little wooden pegs that held it onto the main body of the footwear. Very cool that it survived in the earth all those decades. Wonder who lost it and how???
1863 Letter 5 th Mass Inf near Falmouth, VA
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Dated April 16, 1863. From Soldier, Eber H. Lawrence of the 5th Massachusetts Infantry, Company G. Written in pencil and datelined "Camp Near Falmouth Va April 16th 1863," letter reads: "Dear Cousin, I received your kind letter dated March 25th. It found me well and enjoying good health. Today, the weather is very warm and pleasant. I should like to be in old... today and attend church, but I am not and think it will be a long day before I see any native town. I tell you cousin that this war is not going to be crushed out this year. Folks at the north does not know how this war is working. if they did, we soldiers would see a great differance. You cannot tell anything by the papers. I see the boston Baltimore New York Philadelphia and Washington papers every day, and i see by them that the press smoothes everything over to blind folks at home. to turn the subject, look at our fleet of iron-clad gun boats of Charleston, what did we accomplish there. the loss of six million of dollars, that is all. Some vvery strange and even startling juxtapositions are occasionally found in the record of the REbellion. But in order to crush this rebellion, we have got to have different men to lead us on to battle. I think cousin in a few days you will hear of one of the bloodiest battles that has yet been fought, the Army of the Potomac is about to make a move, with its noble and brave comander at the head who fears no danger. if he gets the Rebs started they will have to suffer…tell me what Davis says about the war, you ask him how many battles he has been in., then write me. Do not say anything so it will get to him for he has not done me any injury. I suppose hje tell you folks that he has been in half a dozen battles. To tell the truth, he has not fired a gun since he has been in the service. As there is not much news, I will close by bidding you good day. My regards to your wife. Please excuse and accept this from your cousin, E.H.Lawrence. Write soon."
Lawrence mustered into Company G on 16 September 1862 and mustered out on 2 July 1863. The 5th Massachusetts Infantry performed garrison duty in the defenses of Baltimore and saw action at Kinston, Whitehall and Goldsboro. Letter measures 5" x 8" and runs 3pp.
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