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63190
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IN THE SHADOW OF Mt. RAINIER - WASHINGTON STATE
Come visit Gunsight Antiques frequently as we unpack posted offerings while presenting an ongoing selection of fresh to the market treasures from long ago packed away inventory along with selected items from our personal collection. A small sampling of the the later may be enjoyed on our museum site at MaineLegacy.com )
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63188
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Jefferson Davis Confederate sympathizers Postal Cover
A fact seldom recognized in today’s political environment, the North was not without its modicum of Confederate sympathizers as is made evident by this obviously Yankee produced Civil War vintage Jefferson Davis postal cover.
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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6291
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Lord’s ‘Civil War Collectors Encyclopedia’ published – ‘T-back’ Monogramed Badge
Best described here by our photo illustrations, we acquired this die struck and script engraved LG monogramed badge from the personal collection of Dr. Francis Lord and is illustrated in his Lord’s Civil War Collector’s Encyclopedia Vol. II page 43. Veteran collectors and those familiar with the authoritative publications of the pioneer Civil War collector / author will appreciate the fact that this item emanated from the collection of Dr. Francis Lord several years ago when we were fortunate enough to purchase several groupings from the personal collection of our longtime friend. A Civil War collector from a day when nearly no one else paid much attention to the details of many now valued Civil War collectible categories, Francis authored the widely known, multi volume, pioneer reference, Lord’s CIVIL WAR COLLECTORS ENCYCLOPEDIA. While a lot of detailed knowledge has been gained as the interest in Civil War collectibles increased so dramatically over the years, Dr. Lord’s encyclopedia volumes and his Civil War Sutlers & Their Wares continue to offer valuable and reliable reference to Civil War collectors. 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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63191
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original 19th century King High Straight Flush & Bone Poker Chips - DISPLAY HAND
Our illustrations will offer the best description except advise that the cards and bone poker chips are period and in excellent condition. A neat display for the Civil War / early West or gambling enthusiast, this grouping will lay in nicely as a visual companion in any number of themes.
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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63108
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1700s early 1800s Priming or Pistol Horn
Best described here by our illustrations, this little 18th early 19th century flintlock priming or early single shot pocket pistol, powder horn remains especially pleasing to the eye with no splits, cracks or other condition issues while offering a most attractive natural age color. 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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6189
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Lord collection – c.1859 / 1872 U. S. M. C. Officers – HAT INSIGNIA
Illustrated here with a U S quarter for size comparison our photos will offer the best description of this period U. S. Marine Corps Officers hat insignia except to advise that while the piece offers considerable evidence of age it remains solid and will present no surprises if you like the photo. Veteran collectors and those familiar with the authoritative publications of pioneer Civil War collector will appreciate the fact that this item emanated from the collection of Dr. Francis Lord several years ago when we were fortunate enough to purchase several groupings from the personal collection of our longtime friend. A Civil War collector from a day when nearly no one else paid much attention to the details of many now valued Civil War collectable categories, Francis authored the widely known, multi volume, pioneer reference, Lord’s CIVIL WAR COLLECTORS ENCYCLOPEDIA. While a lot of detailed knowledge has been gained as the interest in Civil War collectibles increased so dramatically over the years, Dr. Lord’s first and second volumes in particular and his Civil War Sutlers & Their Wares continue to offer valuable and reliable reference to Civil War collectors. (Use Lord in our search feature to find other Lord collection items.) 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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63186
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early hand forged – Tooth Extractor
While period manufactured black iron dental extractors show up from time to time, this more crudely formed yet hand wrought pair will stand out in any 18th early to mid-19th century medical /dental grouping. Likely a country remnant from the days when barbers, and back woods entrepreneur (a common enterprise in the Civil War winter camp) as well as dentists were doing extractions.
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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63182
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19th century toy TOP
Not sure what’s there today but the last time we visited the Jefferson Davis home in Richmond, Virginia they had one of these string actuated tops set out on display with other period toys in the upstairs Davis children play room. A classic toy of the Civil War era, this period example is a scarce find indeed as unlike most that got used up with the parts separated and eventually thrown out, this one somehow survived intact even to the period string. All in nice original condition yet with pleasing evidence of period us, this hand crafted wooden top will fit well in any Civil War vintage toy collection and will make a wonderful companion piece period children’s things.
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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6273
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as new! original late 1800s - Kansas Pacific Railroad - I. Wilson Sheffield – ‘Trade’ KNIFE
Rarely encountered in any kind of acceptable condition, this late 19th century I. WILSON EX. SYCAMORE ST. SHEFFIELD ENGLAND marked, fixed blade, working knife remains in fine, unused condition while showing good evidence of age and originality throughout. Additionally and equally as significant to the historian / collector is that the grip offers the unmistakably original, integral die strike KANSAS PACIFIC RAILROAD COMPANY. Commonly referred to by collectors as a fur trade knife, this rarely seen, fine condition, example measures 10 5/8 inches in total length with a 6 1/8 inch blade. (An article in the 1/20/2014 Tactical Knives Magazine advised that: English I. Wilson Sycamore Street knives migrated to the American frontier in the late 1800s becoming a recognized presence among frontiersman. further that the vast majority most highly prized of the knives sold through the fur-trade supply houses to the mountain men and Indians in the far west were those of I. Wilson. The informative article advises that rather than the monster blades imagined by the modern crowd, period records show 5, 6 and 7 inch models were far more common.) A principal transportation that link from Kansas City to Denver, the Kansas Pacific Railroad opened up settlement of the central Great Plains, and became a major factor in the support of the buffalo hunting trade from early construction of the railroad line when the Kansas Pacific Railroad hired men like Buffalo Bill Cody to hunt the bison to feed thousands of rail laborers to the late 1800s when trappers who had depleted the beaver populations of the Midwest began trading in buffalo robes and tongues. This all original, never used and never sharpened Kansas Pacific Railroad Company marked knife will make an outstanding addition in any number of collecting categories.
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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63175
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exceptionally nice - Civil War era Spectacles in 1861 dated case
As common as these mid-19th century wire spectacles seem to be the fine once blued iron frames are generally rusted and in poor condition save a restorative cleanup. This pair on the other hand, seem to have escaped the ravages of time as they remain in pristine original and untouched condition with all the bright original blue and are housed in their original wool lined Parker’s Pat. 1861 marked carrying case. An especially nice pair of glasses for the eyewear enthusiast, this pair will lay in nicely in any Civil War period grouping.
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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5639
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Civil War era percussion conversion - U. S. SPRINGFIELD Mod. 1840 Musket
A nice honest piece with appealing evidence of age and period use, this Springfield U. S. Model 1840 remains in excellent all original condition with an appealing deep chocolate natural age patina overall and that untouched but issued and used quality that is so hard to find today. A Maine attic find of some years ago, this honest old .69 caliber smooth bore musket is complete with the exception of its ramrod (easily replaced if you wish) and remains otherwise as issued with its nicely marked and 1841 dated SPRINGFIELD lock The Mod. 1840 musket enjoyed a long run in the military with use in the Mexican War through the American Civil War. The .69 caliber smooth-bore Mod.1840 was the last of the flintlocks and as such was found in considerable supply in both Northern and Southern armories at the outbreak of the Civil War. (Conspiracy enthusiasts find it more than interesting that in the late days prior to secession, then Secretary of War Jefferson Davis was said to have caused the filling of Southern States arsenals with such surplus arms.) With arsenal conversion to the percussion system, the old Mod. 1840 musket saw considerable service by both Union and Confederate troops remaining a common site on the battlefield through 1863 with many remaining in action for the duration of the Civil War. (see: Coates & Thomas Civil War Small Arms) An all too scarce opportunity to acquire a good honest example of one of these U. S. Springfield made and converted Civil War Springfield muskets at a less than prohibitive price. 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!
A note about firearms: WE SUPPORT RESPONSIBLE CONTROL OF MODERN FIREARMS AND EMPHASIZE HERE THAT THIS PIECE IS CONSIDERED AN ANTIQUE / COLLECTABLE AND IS THEREFORE OUTSIDE RESTRICTIONS APPLICABLE TO COVERED (MODERN) FIREARMS. THE PIECE IS OFFERED AS A HISTORICAL COLLECTABLE ONLY AND THOUGH MECHANICALLY OPERABLE, IS NOT TO BE CONSIDERED FIREABLE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. PURCHASE OF THIS ITEM WILL CONSTITUTE A FULL UNDERSTANDING OF AND AGREEMENT WITH THE ABOVE.
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63145-2
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Civil War era traveling - Fire Starter Kit
Measuring approximately 4 ¼ inches in length and about 1 ½ inches wide, this little pocket or haversack size traveling fire starter is hand fashioned from tinned sheet iron with lead soldered lap seams. The cover offers a built in coal oil starting fluid reservoir with screw cap and the body retains its period content of Civil War vintage Portland sheet matches, a period hand dipped candle and the remains of an original PORTLAND STAR MATCH wrapper likely saved and included as quick catch aid. With clear evidence of the rigors of age with period use and carrying, this all original and as found Civil War vintage personal utility will lay in well with any quality period grouping.
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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63150
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mid-19th century Sail Maker’s Ditty Bag with ORIGINAL CONTENT
A wonderful remnant of the heyday of sale, one has to be impressed with just how this mid 1800s sailmaker’s artifact survives intact with a full complement of craft essential components such as binding and stitching lace of varying material and gauge , hemp and cotton cord, a small paper bound skein of raw cotton yarn, and an interesting mix of odd job remnants such as leather drum tugs, period recovered grommets for re-use, bees wax for treating lacing and thread, even a leather cap visor ready for application. Tools of the craft of sail making and repair, include a small measuring scale, a lignum vitae seam rubber, a heavy hand stitched roping palm, two stitching palms, a heavy 6 inch needle and a splicing and seam knife maker marked IBBOTSON GLOBE WORKS. (closed in 1845) All best described by our photo illustrations it is important to note that the bag and content are period original one to another and as found after decades of Maine sea coast, attic storage. A remarkable remnant of the mid-19th century artificer.
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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6356
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important! identified Spanish American War – UNIFORM , JOURNAL & PERSONAL GROUPING
This desirable grouping is of Spanish American War veteran Pvt. Ernest M. Swett of Co. D, 1st Maine Volunteer Infantry. The group consists of the following military issue and personal items: Pvt. Swett’s uniform CAP, 5 button SACK COAT, issue TROUSERS, issue LEGGINGS and his issue DRESS GLOVES. Swett’s personal items include: his service period Journal, knit wool Socks, shaving Mirror, lab / Scalpel Kit, period map of Cuba, his Presidential Service Certificate, family Bible Registry Pages and news clippings to include a mustering in roster of Swett’s Co. D, an account of mustering out and other miscellaneous related paper.
Best described here by our photo illustrations, suffice it to say Pvt. Swett’s regulation issue uniform cap, sack coat, trousers and leggings remain in all original and pleasing condition, without mothing or other objectionable condition issues while offering good evidence of period use and age. Like these items, a look at our illustrations will best describe Swett’s personal relics with the exception of his journal offering a firsthand account of the horrors Georgia’s Camp Thomas. Swett’s journal content is highlighted here:
Covering his primary period of service from the April 25, 1898 decision to go to war to his discouraged July 25 entry dirt and dust, no use writing anymore then a single August 21, 1898 notation expressing the dejection of a postponement of leaving the Chickamauga camp, Swett’s penciled journal is easily read as it offers the reader a sample snap-shot of a simple time in American history. A time not too unlike the Civil War military camp experience. Foraging for food one of the fellows got us a goose, heat of the South, a packages of goodies from home, drilling, more drill, eagerness to get into the fight, sickness, death, fighting among troops in camp, court martial and execution, more sickness, then more military life despair at Spanish American War, Camp Thomas, Georgia near the old Chickamauga Civil War battlefield. In his simple, short on words, country style, Pvt. Swett chronicles the atrocious living conditions in a place that would become known in American history as one of the most abusive military facilities ever to be maintained in this country. As related to camp life worse conditions than experienced by troops of the Civil War. Swett notes drinking water so dirty that one could not see the bottom of his dipper. Hard-tack and rotten meat was the usual mess. Overcrowding and poor sanitary conditions result in camp wide dysentery. Pvt. Swett sets up at night with his ailing Captain while he himself suffers from the same malady. Recording the death and shipment home of his Captain’s body Swett seems to fall to despair as he weakens in his own battle to survive. At one point (July 25, 1898) he is so weak and discouraged that closes his daily record with No news, dirt and dust, no use writing anymore. It is not until Aug 16th that Pvt. Swett is moved to write in his journal Tomorrow we are to have the largest review since the Civil War. There will be over 40,000 soldiers in line. Shortly after, a train with 178 sick boys of the 1st Maine will be sent home. Swett’s entries become sparse after this with rumors of being sent home, typhoid fever. Finally on Sunday, August 21 the discouraged soldier makes his last journal entry, They say we are not going home until Thurs. Probably something will come up to prevent us going then. It is offal hot here now. Earlier notations in the back of the little book leave record of the serial number of his issue Mod. 1884 Springfield trap-door rifle, a list of letters received, addresses and the like.
A newspaper clipping, hand dated Oct. 31 1898, records the mustering out of Pvt. Swett’s Co. D, 1st Maine Volunteer Infantry at its home armory in Norway, Maine. The paper records our Pvt. Swett as unable to be present on account of sickness.
One could consider Pvt Ernest Swett a casualty of a war he never got to serve in directly as he seems never to have regained the young man’s health and vigor lost at Camp Thomas, Georgia. Records of the National Soldiers Home at Togus, Maine document his death as a patient there some years later.
This historic Spanish American War grouping will come with our research notes to include the following Ernest M. Swett pertinent site links:
patient register: U.S. National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, 1866-1938
pension document: U.S. Veteran Pension Files
1898 New York Times: HORRORS OF CHICKAMAUGA; The First Maine Regiment Returns with Tales Resembling Those Told of Andersonville.
Lewiston Sun: A Ride For Life. Sick Maine Soldiers On The Way From Chickamauga
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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6395
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historic 1838 / 1839 - Aroostook Border War EPAULETTE
A rarely surviving example of the period common practice of wearing a single epaulette as insignia of rank by military officers both militia and Regulars*, this silver Captain of Infantry epaulette is accompanied by a Sergeant’s epaulette, both offered here as set aside decades ago with the notation from Father’s uniform 1839 Aroostook War Lizzie J Longley Rines. Our research finds Lizzie J Longley Rines as the 1843 Bangor, Maine daughter of Aroostook War** participant then Captain of the Old Town, Maine Militia Capt. Stover Rines. [As an aside Lizzie Rines died in 1849 at her home in Boston.]
* After the Revolution the American system was that General to Major wore two epaulets while others wore one. Captain on the right, Lieutenant on left with silver designating infantry and dragoons with gold for artillery. Sergeants frequently wore an abbreviated epaulette held by a button on the right shoulder .
The Aroostook War occurred in 1838 and 1839 and was centered around a dispute between the U. S. and English over the international boundary between the British colony New Brunswick and the state of Maine. Simmering over a number of years a second and in the time equally paramount was the issue of navigation rights on the St. John River. Largely lost in time is the fact that earlier on these issues were responsible for the establishment of a US Army barracks in Hancock, Maine and the service of Robert E. Lee there as an Army surveyor. In 1839 Capt. Stover Rines and his company of militia was part force of some two hundred men who marched to Aroostook to arrest and imprison trespassers on state land. Capt. Rines and two other key figures leading the Maine force were ultimately taken captive and jailed in Fredericton, New Brunswick. The action inflamed both sides. Additional State troops were authorized and the US Congress raised 50,000 men to repel any actual invasion of American soil. The Aroostook War ultimately came to a bloodless end when General Winfield Scott was successful in negotiating a settlement between the parties. One of the officers serving under Gen. Scott at Headquarters, Eastern Division, United States Army, Augusta Maine was Robert Anderson later Major Robert Anderson of Fort Sumter fame.
While a Google search of Capt. Stover Rines Maine will offer considerably more detail on Capt. Rines and his service on the Maine frontier, we did not find an account of his earlier militia service thus can only assume that the included sergeants epaulette is a remnant progression through the ranks.
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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