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6354
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Halifax, Nova Scotia - Confederate Navy CDV photograph
Best described by our photo illustrations, this outstanding and rarely seen Confederate Navy CDV back-marked in the war time Confederate sanctuary of Halifax, Nova Scota by the Civil War vintage photo gallery ’Parish & Co. - 122 Hollis Street - Opposite Variety Hall - Halifax N. S.’. ( see: Isaac Parish at this address, 1864 Halifax NS Directory / also listed, same year, at same address as Parish & Co.) Our subject is seated with cane in hand (wish we knew the story) wearing a Confederate Navy regulation Lieutenant Cap and C S N regulation service dress monkey jacket. An opportunity to acquire a rare and desirable Civil War, Confederate Navy photograph. Buy with confidence! We are pleased to offer a no questions asked three day inspection with return as purchased on direct sales! Just send us a courtesy e-mail to let us know your item will be returned per these provisions and your purchase price will be refunded accordingly. Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques!
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6250
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early primitive BIRCH BARK TOBACCO BOX
Best dscribed by our photo illustrations, 18th early 19th century tobacco box measures 3 5/16 inches in diameter and stands 3 3/8 inches. Wood pegged to its base with a unique cut and fitted side seam, the body of this wonderful old primitive is of birch bark with its original press fit wood cover. All with an eye appealing deep age patina this attractive 1700s early 1800s container will make a wonderful companion set with any period tobacco pipe. A desirable item for the early American primitives enthusiast. Buy with confidence! We are pleased to offer a no questions asked three day inspection with return as purchased on direct sales! Just send us a courtesy e-mail to let us know your item will be returned per these provisions and your purchase price will be refunded accordingly. Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques!
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5925
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Civil War vintage - 21st Mass. Infantry - pewter mounted UTILITY KNIFE
Measuring 8 ¾ inches in total length with a 4 5/8 inch clip point blade, this well used old fixed blade knife bears the identification of its previous owner with A. L. Brock neatly stamped on one side of the grip and with clearly period initials A. L. B. hand inscribed on the opposite side. Mid 19th century construction is set forth by well-worn pewter mounted black walnut grips pinned in place on a full tapered tang. Acquired some years ago with a verbal history of having emanated from a defunct Franklin Mass G. A. R. hall, our research produced a single period A. L. B. from the area and that was Albert L. Brock who lived in Franklin after the Civil War and was a member of Post 60 Department of Massachusetts G. A. R. located in Franklin, Mass.
Albert L. Brock was a 21 year old resident of Holden Mass. when he enlisted and was mustered in on July 19, 1861 as a Private of Co. E 21st Massachusetts Infantry. During his tenure with the hard fought 21st MVM, Pvt. Brock’s Regiment was engaged in the battles of Roanoke Island, Feb. 8, Newbern, Mar. 14, and Camden, April 19, losing in these three actions in North Carolina 40 officers and men killed or mortally wounded. They were present at 2d Bull Run, Aug. 30, suffering slight loss, but at Chantilly, Sept. 1, it was heavily engaged and lost 38 men killed or mortally wounded. The 21st was engaged near Fox's Gap then at Antietam, at Burnside Bridge where the 21st lost heavily. It was here on September 17th, 1862 that Pvt. Brock was wounded. was discharged for wounds at Frederick, Maryland on March 4, 1863 ( Research sources: Historical Data Systems - Mass. Soldiers & Sailors in the Civil War – Fold3.com – Ancestry.com – Walcott’s History of the 21st Mass. Infantry )
Buy with confidence! We are pleased to offer a no questions asked three day inspection with return as purchased on direct sales! Just send us a courtesy e-mail to let us know your item will be returned per these provisions and your purchase price will be refunded accordingly. Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques! :
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6340
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antique ‘Sparking’ or ‘Night’ LAMP
Popularly used through the 1860s and today a special classification among vintage lighting enthusiasts, these little lamps have drawn all manner of speculation as to their purpose. Not the least of these and most widely favored, thus their designation as sparking lamps, is that they were courting lamps, the limited oil reserve gauging when the visiting suitor should leave. Another theory and in our view likely the most probable, is that the little lamp with its limited burning time was simply a night light used while preparing for bed. Placed on the night stand the lamp would provide just enough necessary light then self-extinguish. This attractive little example stands a mere 4 ½ inches with its original milk glass chimney and remains in excellent condition with all original and no issues. Buy with confidence! We are pleased to offer a no questions asked three day inspection with return as purchased on direct sales! Just send us a courtesy e-mail to let us know your item will be returned per these provisions and your purchase price will be refunded accordingly. Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques!
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6366
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Victorian era - SMOKING CAP
A mark of the Victorian genteel , the mid 19th century smoking cap was an especially comforting accessory to many a socially minded officer of the more leisurely geared life of winter camp. A demonstration of individuality with a frequently rich gaudiness, the smoking cap offered a popular respite from mundane military garb. Examples of these highly prized camp or smoking caps may be seen in the more advanced public and private collections with published illustrations appearing in both of Time Life’s Echoes of Glory Civil War volumes. This offering is of velvet construction with quilted liner and is set off by colorful hand needlework embellishment. The cap is in excellent all original condition with no mothing, loose seams or other condition issues while offering good evidence of age and period originality. An especially nice display item for the Victorian headgear enthusiast military or nonmilitary. Buy with confidence! We are pleased to offer a no questions asked three day inspection with return as purchased on direct sales! Just send us a courtesy e-mail to let us know your item will be returned per these provisions and your purchase price will be refunded accordingly. Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques!
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6376
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JOHN WILKES BOOTH – Identified PLAY PROMPT BOOK !!
Acquired by us some years ago from a highly respected Portland, Maine antiquarian book dealer who purchased it in the later 1940s from a small Portland area 19th century playhouse cleanout, this prompt book bears two penned identifications on the title page Wilkes Booth and J. Wilkes Booth. A second J. W. Booth signed prompt book emanating from the same source was acquired by the Boothbay Theater Museum to be included in their prestigious theatrical history collection. While the circumstances that brought Booth’s prompt books to Portland have been lost in time, we know that the actor spent several weeks in Portland, Maine in the spring of 1861, leaving the city upon word of the firing upon Fort Sumter.
An extremely rare item (the J. W. Booth Collection : Harry Ransom Center, University of Texas claims the only prompt book of John Wilkes Booth's known to still exist) this French’s Standard Drama No. XXXIII prompt book is titled A NEW WAY TO PAY OLD DEBTS and is a five part comedy by Philip Massinger published in New York by Samuel French. It measures approximately 4 ½ X 7 3/8 inches and bears the book seller / stationer stamp of T. B. Pugh, cor. Sixth & Chestnut, Phila ( see: 1850s / 1860s directories). The prompt book is of 75 pages, tight at the string binding and all complete with no condition issues save normal wear and age. The soft cover is as seen here, complete with no tears, repairs or stains yet with some separation at the spine.
As we thin out part of our fifty year plus personal accumulation, we have looked toward our Abraham Lincoln memorabilia treasures (which include a full lock of the fallen presidents hair (see our MaineLegacy.com museum site), and we have decided to offer this important play prompt book from the group to a deserving new home. An important item and a major purchase, we have made every effort here to offer illustrations sufficient to making accurate evaluation of the prompt book and signatures. Buy with confidence! We are pleased to offer a no questions asked three day inspection with return as purchased on direct sales! Just send us a courtesy e-mail to let us know your item will be returned per these provisions and your purchase price will be refunded accordingly. Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques!
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60134
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Museum Deaccession - Samuel Davis Pat. May 6, 1856 Grease Lamp
This desirable old grease /lard lamp stands approximately 7 1/2 inches and remains in pleasing all original and as used. A neat old country lighting device will be familiar to collectors as a scarce example of the Samuel Davis Pat. May 6, 1856 Grease Lamp ( US Patent 14806). With a full complement of its original japanning turned dark with age and period use, the original wick adjusting iron pick remains with the lamp. A small museum inventory number remains on the base underside. Buy with confidence! We are pleased to offer a no questions asked three day inspection with return as purchased on direct sales! Just send us a courtesy e-mail to let us know your item will be returned per these provisions and your purchase price will be refunded accordingly. Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques!
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6029
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Injured Union Soldier - 9th plate tintype
While we don’t regularly offer images that are as rough as this one, we have made an exception in this instance because we felt the subject made this little tintype worthy of a good home. Rough with some flaking emulsion yet clearly discernible is the case that for whatever the reason, this young union soldier chose to document a severely injured eye as he sits before the photographer’s lenses. No telling how our subject received his injury though it seems reasonable to surmise that that given his choice to record his rough looking shiner the cause was an honorable one. Seated in his regulation enlisted frock with his waist belt with it’s US oval plate worn over the top so as to be prominently in view our man likely paid extra for the patriotic photo mat. Found in a tumble-down and long abandoned house where the occupants appear to have simply walked away from home and worldly goods, except for cleaning the glass this long surviving tintype is offered as it was found in an old crate of period books and papers. As with all direct sales, we are pleased to offer a no questions asked three day inspection with refund of the purchase price upon return as purchased! Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques!
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6287
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rarely surviving Civil War vintage - RATION CAN
Standing approximately 5 inches and measuring about 4 inches in diameter this rarely surviving sheet iron ration can remains in excellent original and untouched condition with a light surface rust and chocolate patina that the new owner will want to leave as found. With good evidence of age and period construction in the form of its surface and material, with led soldered, lap seams, and telltale spot final seal* of led solder, this rare example of the all-important common tin can will make a wonderful seldom seen companion to any Civil War grouping. ( * The secret of maintaining the vacuum seal necessary to preservation was to heat the filled can and applying a spot of molten led solder sealing a small vent hole in the lid. As the can cooled a sealed food preserving vacuum was created.) We note to the charm of the knife opened top as evidence of period pre-can-opener utilization. Buy with confidence! We are pleased to offer a no questions asked three day inspection with return as purchased on direct sales! Just send us a courtesy e-mail to let us know your item will be returned per these provisions and your purchase price will be refunded accordingly. Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques!
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6373
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complete! G. A. R. / Civil War Veteran uniform of Brig. General Stephen H. Manning – 1st & 5th Main
Best described here by our illustrations this exceptionally nice Grand Army of the Republic uniform consists of trousers, vest, coat and slouch hat complete with War time wool 6th Corps device as stitched in place by then Civil War veteran Bvt. Brigadier General Stephen Hart Manning. Emanating from direct descendants of the General along with his ink signed CDV as Col. & Chif. Q. M. Dept. of Texas and family lore regarding the 6th Corps device, this magnificent GAR uniform offers the General’s identification in the right shoulder lining along with the label of the General’s home town Lewiston, Maine clothier.
Born in 1834 to a family of poor patronage Stephen H. Manning was largely self-educated until 1858 when the industrious Lewiston, Maine youngster entered Bowdoin College as a sophomore in 1858, leaving college in April 1861 to join the 1st Maine Volunteer Infantry. Entering service as a Private Manning would be named Quarter Master Sargent of the 1st Maine and would, notwithstanding his absence, be awarded a full diploma from Bowdoin’s class of 1861. In September 1861 he was Commissioned by the Governor as 1st Lieut. and Regimental Qr. Master of the 5th Maine Infantry a position held until August 1862 when he was appointed acting Quarter Master, 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 6th Corps, Army of the Potomac. In October 1862 the fast rising Manning was named acting Chief Q. M. of the 6th Corps’ 1st Division and on November 26, 1862 was Commissioned by President Abraham Lincoln as Captain and A. Q. M., U. S. Volunteers, a position he held until May 1864 when he was appointed acting Chief Quarter Master, 6th Army Corps. Brevetted Major by Lincoln for faithful and meritorious service in the campaigns before Richmond and in the Shenandoah Valley, Manning would continue his rise to Lieut. Colonel and Chief Q. M. of the 6th Corps then Chief Q. M. Provisional Corps Army of the Potomac. Appointed Colonel and Chief Q. M. Dept. of Texas. Breveted to Brig. General to date from March 13, 1865, upon his mustering out on October 5, 1866 Gen. Manning had participated in all the Civil War battles of the Army of the Potomac in which the 6th Corps had been active. Some short time after the Civil War Gen. Manning located in Wilmington, North Carolina where he operated a merchandising business until 1874 when he was elected Sheriff of New Hanover County Gen. Manning eventually returned to his family home in Lewiston, Maine where he was an active member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, the Grand Army of the Republic and the 5th Maine Regimental Association. He died in 1911 at age seventy-six.
Buy with confidence! We are pleased to offer a no questions asked three day inspection with return as purchased on direct sales! Just send us a courtesy e-mail to let us know your item will be returned per these provisions and your purchase price will be refunded accordingly. Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques!
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6374
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scarce! Whitney Glass Works - Pat. Jan. 1861 – Whiskey Flask
This rich amber Whitney Glass Works, internal thread flask, stands approximately 8 inches, retains its original Whitney Patent January 1861 threaded glass stopper and sports an eye catching period Eagle Bourbon For Medicinal & Family Use label applied from our personal collection. A rare war time flask with an even harder to find period label all remaining in fine condition, this combination will be of special interest to the Civil War era glass enthusiast as well as the period personal item collector. Buy with confidence! We are pleased to offer a no questions asked three day inspection with return as purchased on direct sales! Just send us a courtesy e-mail to let us know your item will be returned per these provisions and your purchase price will be refunded accordingly. Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques!
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6349
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period, as found – Civil War personal STENCIL KIT
This really nice personal size Civil War vintage stencil kit offers a complete alphabet with numbers, each character cut in thin sheet brass. The group also includes a stencil ink tin with marking ink, application brush and sponge. All original, untouched and as found, housed in an oval Pat. 1857 / 1865 Davidson Rubber Syringe box. A really nice Civil War utility from the bowels of our 50+ year accumulation, this personal grouping will make an interesting addition to any Civil War era display. Buy with confidence! We are pleased to offer a no questions asked three day inspection with return as purchased on direct sales! Just send us a courtesy e-mail to let us know your item will be returned per these provisions and your purchase price will be refunded accordingly. Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques!
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6227
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19th century home knit men’s COTTON SOCKS
Literally at the foot of every Civil War infantryman’s daily effort, original hand knit socks of the period are no question among the most difficult of items for the discriminating personal item collector to acquire. Constantly in demand in the period as is testified by letters home with thank yous or reminders of needs in the next box from home an all important but lowly pair of cotton socks would all too quickly be repaired beyond use and cast aside. Even at home the every day pair of home knit sox had a measured life. All original and period this approximately size 10 to 12 pair of men’s socks show good age and originality while remaining in excellent condition with no holes or repairs. A scarce find to fill out the content of a Civil War knapsack or haversack, this pair would go equally as well atop a period sewing basket. Buy with confidence! We are pleased to offer a no questions asked three day inspection with return as purchased on direct sales! Just send us a courtesy e-mail to let us know your item will be returned per these provisions and your purchase price will be refunded accordingly. Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques!
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6362
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Civil War era PROTECTIVE GLASSES
An especially nice pair of protective goggles of the Civil War era, this original example is fashioned with fine wire mesh side protection and green tinted glass lenses. Sometimes referred to as artillerist’s glasses due to their use as eye protection by mounted artillery, these goggles were frequently used by an eye injured wearer to protect against further damage. An example of such use may be seen in a period portrait of nearly blind Confederate General Adam R. Johnson. (see: Time / Life TOUCHED by FIRE vol. II page 248 ) There is also a period photograph by Gardner of Blackfoot Indian Chief Sitting Crow wearing a pair of these goggles no doubt simply as a fashion statement. (see: D. Mark Katz - Life & Photographs of ALEXANDER GARDNER This pair remain in pleasing condition with period adjustable cord and good evidence of period use and carrying while remaining in excellent condition with original black lacquer finish. A nice item for the optical or medical collector as well as the general Civil War era collector. As with all direct sales, we are pleased to offer a no questions asked three day inspection with refund of the purchase price upon return as purchased! Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques !
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5899
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turn of the century – Byfield Snuff Co. - Pearson's Red Top Snuff - LABEL
A bit late for our usual fare but a nice piece for the tobacciana collector, this as-new condition, period stock label will make a nice companion collectable in any number of categories without spending a bunch of money. Finally closed in the mid-1980s, the Byfield Snuff Co. was the oldest and perhaps the last water powered snuff mill in the country. The Pearson manufacturing legacy began in 1647 when John Pearson built the first fulling mill in the country. The founder was followed by ten generations of Pearson’s in operation of the Byfield Snuff Co. in Byfield, Massachusetts. This crimson label is printed on period typical thin stock and will date to the company turn of the century roll-out of PEARSON’S – RED TOP SNUFF As with all direct sales, we are pleased to offer a no questions asked three day inspection with refund of the purchase price upon return as purchased! Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques !
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