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Memorabilia > Colonial & CIVIL WAR era through 1880s AMERICANA
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Our goal is to provide maximum buying potential and buyer confidence for the advanced and casual enthusiast. Visitors are encouraged to browsing our full inventory while those limited by time or specific interest may utilize our word search to locate specific items or categories. (Always use lower case for best search engine results.)
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Visitors to our online shop are encouraged to scroll from page to page and enjoy browsing the wide variety of our full inventory or to utilize the word search by entering key words and phrases. ( Always use lower case for best search engine results. ) We hope you find our catalogue informative, entertaining and fruitful. |
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6243
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rare! E. Remington Jr. barreled - Ohio made & 7th Ohio Sharpshooters carried – SHARP SHOOTER RIFLE
While the physical description of this old .36 caliber, set triggered half-stock rifle will be best provided by our illustrations, the rich history of the piece is deserving of the following:
Boldly gunsmith marked on the top barrel flat SCHNEIDER – DAYTON O. – 1858, (Listed as M. Schneider, Dayton, Ohio 1848 to 1866 when changed to M. Schneider & Son. ) the best of what this untouched Ohio rifle is found only upon removal of the barrel from its bed in the nicely figured rock maple stock. On the bottom flat just adjacent to the tang plug, the barrel bears the period one line marking REMINGTON advising us that Michael Schneider like so many period gunsmiths acquired his barrels from a separate supplier, in this case Eliphalet Remington Jr. who upon the death of the founder had taken over the fledgling Remington Arms business to, by this time, offer rifled barrel blanks. (This example measures 33 inches in length and is 1 inch across the flats.) Pleasing as the iconic early ‘REMINGTON’ marking is to the percussion era Remington enthusiast, a period notation found under the barrel in the stocks barrel bed: Martin S. Ward his Reb Nocer [Knocker] given by Sgt. A. Bailey . We found Martin S. Ward to be an 18 year old Ohioan enlisted on January 12, 1863 and mustered in as a Private for a 3 year term with the 7th Independent Co., Ohio Sharpshooters. Albert Bailey who had enlisted and mustered in as a Corporal of the newly formed 7th Ohio Sharpshooters (Sherman’s Body-Guard) in the fall of 1862 had been promoted to Sargent by later January 1863 when Pvt. Ward would likely have physically joined with the 7th Ind. Co. O.S.S. One would have to surmise that it was in this period between January 27, 1863 and July 1, 1863 when Sgt. Bailey was promoted to 1st Sargent that he passed his Remington barreled Schneider to the young Pvt. Ward. His benefactor, 1st Sgt. Albert Bailey was killed on September 20, 1863 at Rossville, Georgia and is buried at Marietta National Cemetery, Marietta, Georgia.
Records show that the 7th Independent Co., Ohio Sharpshooters, known as Sherman’s Body Guard served as sharp shooters under Gen. Rosecrans then General Thomas until ordered to Gen. Sherman’s headquarters in May of 1862 where it remained near the person of the Commanding General through Sherman’s March to the Sea the campaign of the Carolinas and the Grand Review. The 7th Ohio Sharpshooters received personal commendation from Gen. Sherman. Members served in action at Stone’s River, Tenn., Chickamauga, Ga., Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, Tenn., Kennesaw Mountain, Ga., Siege of Atlanta and action at Jonesboro, Bentonville, N.C., and more. 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!
A note about firearms: WE EMPHASIZE HERE THAT THIS PIECE IS CONSIDERED AN ANTIQUE / COLLECTABLE AND IS THEREFORE OUTSIDE FEDERAL 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. THE PURCHASER ASSUMES ALL LIABILITY FOR PURCHAS, CONTROL AND OWNERSHIP. PURCHASE OF THIS ITEM WILL CONSTITUTE A FULL UNDERSTANDING OF AND AGREEMENT WITH THE ABOVE.
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6097
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antique HOLLAND GIN - Bottle
Unusual in that this HOLLAND GIN is in the common round configuration as opposed to the flat sided, tapered style associated with Holland Gin spirits bottles. Pleasing with no condition issues, the bottle stands approximately 11 ¼ inches and retains its period label proclaiming popular Holland Gin as content. Sporting impressive period classic graphics yet devoid of any distillery identification, one wonders if the old liquor bottle was actually a period rip-off posing as the favored Holland Gin when a more truthful label would have identified the treat as BATHTUB GIN. A neat bar decorator / conversation piece. 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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6215
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2 Civil War CDVs of: Pvt. John Anorson / 91st Penn. Infantry / DIED at ANDERSONVILLE
Offered here are two identical images identified as Pvt. John Anorson by Philadelphia photographers Winderoth & Taylor. Best described by our photographs, the first is a soiled and well-worn view with a fragmented revenue stamp on the back with an old pencil notation Uncle John died in the War. On the front is the very lidht identification John Anorson apparently in the same hand. The second photo is identical save the notations, but in much nicer condition. Young John Anorson was just eighteen years of age when he enlisted and was mustered in on October 11, 1861 as a Private of Co. B 91st Pennsylvania Infantry. Pvt. Anorson would have seen action at Fredericksburg before reenlisting o the day after Christmas of 1863. He was taken prisoner by Confederate forces as Chancellorsville on May 3, 1863 and died of disease as a POW at Andersonville on August 18, 1864. He is buried at Andersonville National Cemetery, Andersonville, GA (Grave #6029). Of cursory interest is that Anorson was a little fellow as can be noted by his photograph, measuring just five foot four and one half enlistment records. A good look at his CDV also reveals that he had one eye that was severely cocked. Clearly visible in the better image the malady was corrected by hand in the identified view. A nice pair of photographers with a side interest to the prisoner of war 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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60146
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earlier through the Civil War era : DYSENTERY CURE
No guarantee of a cure as the title would indicate, the application of this 6 ¾ X 7 ½ inch brown ink penned Cure for Dysentery would surely bring emotional relief from the taking of the concoction with its considerable content of laudanum every hour until better. (Laudanum : an alcoholic solution containing morphine, prepared from opium) The bane of soldiers from the American Revolution through the Civil War, this period penned prescription will set well in any period medical or personal item grouping. 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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60127
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extra nice period bridle leather FLAG BEARER SLING
Constructed from heavy 1/8 thick by 1 ½ inch wide bridle leather with a stout brass roller buckle and utilizing period indicative copper rivet & washer fasteners (see photos), this 19th century flag bearer sling remains in exceptional condition. Offered as found and untouched to preserve veracity as a period sling, this piece remains pliable and without age cracking yet offers good evidence of period age and construction. Left as a decision for the new owner this piece will restore to near as new with a bit of proper dressing. A nice item for the Civil War and Indian War collector at a reasonable price. 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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439
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early 19th Century through Civil War INSIGNIA
Six crispy as new gold bullion on wool felt Infantry devices still mounted on the original store card. The label of Noah Walker & Co, Citizens and Military Clothing Depot, Washington Building, Baltimore, (see: 1863 Baltimore Directory ). Authorized in 1832/34 as branch insignia for Infantry, this design saw considerable use both in the "Regular Army" and State troops through the Civil War. Earlier examples are most frequently observed as tailcoat insignia while Civil War era use examples are found in a variety of uses to include use as hat insignia. (see: page Fig. 29 of Albaugh "More Confederate Faces" ; page 211 of Bill Turner's "Even More Confederate Faces" and for more general information, Laframboise "History of Artillery, Cavalry & Infantry Branch Insignia" A wonderful store or sutler goods display for the serious American Military Insignia collector. please note: ALL ITEMS ARE CURRENT & AVAILABLE UNLESS MARKED SOLD!!. If you are new to our catalog and wish additional ordering information or just to learn who we are, please check out our home page. Thanks for visiting our catalog!!
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5659
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6th plate ambrotype – Boy in early (gray) Forage Cap & Ivory Headed Walking Stick
Our illustrations will do best to describe the sharp focus, crisp contrast and overall condition of this just pre or early Civil War cased 6th plate ambrotype. A Maine find where late 1850s and early Civil War issue forage caps of the configuration and light color as is worn by our subject were in vogue, (see: RALLY ROUND THE FLAG / Uniforms of Union Volunteers of 1861 by Ron Field) this image of a well-dressed young boy in oversized military cut forage cap and ivory headed walking stick will lay in well with any Civil War era grouping and will be of special interest to the just post and early Civil War enthusiast as well as the collector of children photos of that period. 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 !
If you have an interest in neat Civil War period things or Maine in the time, you may enjoy our museum site at:
MaineLegacy.com
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6228
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Civil War era officers SWORD SASH
While our illustrations will offer the best description of this officers sash we advise that while showing good age and evidence of period use, this attractive Civil War vintage sword sash remains in excellent original condition with no tears or separations and is without the usual fading of that beautifully rich original color. Measures a full 55 inches in length this New England attic find will make an attractive addition to any Civil War collection and will lay in especially well with a nice period sword. 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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60121
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Scarce scaled down - 19th century 9 pin traveling SKITTLES GAME
Originating in Europe well before the 1700s the game of skittles was a mainstay of English pubs well before immigrating to America where the ten-pin version is now considered a forerunner to modern bowling. Popular in ten, nine and four pin versions both as a parlor game where the pins were set-up in diamond fashion on the wood of carpeted floor, the game of skittles was also played out of doors and was popularly played by children as well as adults. Emanating from a history as an English pub or drinking game, by the time of the American Civil War the game was popularly played by common folk and high society alike, indoors and out by children and adults. ( A period example a skittles game had been on display as part of the period memorabilia of the Jefferson Davis, White House of the Confederacy, home section of the old Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond.) This scarce scaled down traveling skittles game is complete with nine turned 4 7/8 inch pins and the original ball. Equally appropriate to home, pub or Civil War winter camp, this traveling skittles game offers good evidence of age and period use yet remains pleasing to the eye and will go well in 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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6087
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Civil War dated 6th plate: TINTED AMBROTYPE PORTRAIT
One of those rare quality images of the ambrotype era that just seems to reach out to the viewer in its simplicity, one can only lament the fact that this young man’s identity and circumstances have been lost in time. Set on ruby glass with an 1864 cancelled revenue stamp on the reverse, one can only wonder given the age of our young subject if the photo in his finely green tinted shirt with crisp new suspenders and rosy cheeks was intended to be left at home as a keepsake. A simple statement of Civil War life, this beautiful ambrotype portrait will set well in any period Americana 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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6199
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Civil War vintage traveling SHAVING MIRROR
Well documented by Civil War camp site digger historians and publications of their finds, (see: Excavated Artifacts from Battlefields & Campsites of the Civil War by Stanley Phillips) these, emboss decorated, zinc travel mirrors seldom survived to reach todays collector market. This one is best described by our photos except to advise that it is all original with good evidence of age and originality even retaining its period mercury backed mirror. A nice original Civil War era personal item. 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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6074
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original! U.S. Marked Civil War vintage COFFEE POT
Presented here in totally original condition with as found attic outer surface and interior stains remaining from its last use, we have left this pot as found in order to preserve the unquestionable originality of the stamped US markings on its handle. While the inside of the pot retains stains as remnant of its last period use, all is solid save several pinholes in the very bottom. Good soldered seams, no big dents or rust beyond minor staining. Of the common construction and style of earlier to well through the mid-1800s, our photo illustrations will provide the best description except to advise that the pot stands just over 6 inches and is approximately 6 inches across the base with a 4 1/8 inch mouth diameter. A nice period find in this condition, the original USmarkings offer considerable rarity and appeal to this old standard. (see: Civil War vintage Missouri River Steamboat Bertrand cargo excavation collection.) 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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6057
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44th Mass. Inf. - Captured Confederate Blockade Runner - Enfield FORAGER
A desirable find for the Confederate collector or collector / historian who especially appreciates the interestingly historical side of Civil War collectables, this all original to the period offering was a purchase of arms buyer Caleb Huse who, at the outbreak of the Civil War, traveled through Portland, Maine to Europe with orders from the Confederate States Government to buy all the long arms and accoutrements he could arrange. This nice old B 44th Mass. marked Potts & Hunt forager began its evolution into the American Civil War as part of a shipment intended for Confederate issue but when the steamer was captured passing through the tentacles of the Union Anaconda Plan, the British made Pattern of 1853 Rifled Musket was taken as spoils of war and brought as part of the captured blockade runner cargo before prize court for adjudication. In accordance with prevailing wartime Prize Law for ship captures at sea, if the court ruled in the Navy’s favor, the ship and cargo would be sold at auction, with half of the proceeds going to a fund for disabled sailors and the other half awarded to the officers and crew of the vessel that captured the blockade runner.
While it would require research, if one wished it is quite likely that prize court records exist that would establish the precise identity of the Confederate blockade runner that our Potts & Hunt Enfield was taken from on its way to prize court and purchase for issue to the 44th M V M. ( There are several references in the Civil War years New York Times to presiding Judge Sprague and activities before the Boston District U. S. Prize Court. ) Thanks in part to 44th Mass. Vols. regimental historian Cpl. James B. Gardner’s firsthand account ( RECORD OF THE FORTY-FOURTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER MILITIA IN NORTH CAROLINA published in 1887), we know on page 44 that The regiment is armed with Enfield rifles captured from an English steamer and their belts, bayonet sheaths, and cap pouches were similarly obtained. A further, firsthand account is recorded in 44th M V M veteran John J. Wyeth’s Leaves from a Diary Written while Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass., Dep't of No. Carolina (Boston: L. F. Lawrence & Co., 1878) when on September 14, 1862 while still in camp at Readville, Mass. he writes; Our guns are on the field somewhere, they are Enfields. Further that: It is reported that our arms are a lot captured from a blockade runner and intended for the rebels. On September 24 Wyeth writes, Our rifles have been delivered.
Lost in time whether, as we suspect, this forager began its association with the 44th M V M as an extra of the Regiments Enfields that was altered for foraging in the field, or was altered by its owner after mustering out. Alteration work to 47 inches in overall length with a 31 inch barrel altered to 69 cal. smooth bore, is clearly period and of pleasing quality with a well contoured fore end utilizing the original brass nose cap with bead front site and notch cut barrel band rear site. Utilizing the original Enfield ramrod rather than a lighter civilian style wooden ramrod, seems to lend credence to the likely hood that the alteration dates to military camp use. Of interest with respect to the 44th Mass. forager is an account on page 123 of the earlier mentioned Regimental History by Cpl. James B. Gardner that points to a particular reliability the regiment placed on foraging while in North Carolina. On the occasion of approaching a number of pigs, lean and active as hounds writes the 44th Veteran, many were sacrificed to appease our hunger. He advises further that had it not been for their foraging success we could hardly have gone so far into the enemy’s country. He states that no meat was given out after our start, that their five days rations were consumed in three days. Indeed at one point in the march some received only a single piece of hardtack in a forty-eight hour period making the fruits of foraging a primary source of food.
In deference to the intricacies of Confederate markings in this collecting field, we will rely here on our photo illustrations to describe markings that will be evident to the knowledgeable Confederate Tower collector. We will point out the classic armorer chisel match markings frequently referred to as roman numerals on Confederate arms and the bold P&H marking of known Confederate supplier Potts & Hunt. (For reference to these and other Confederate Enfield characteristics we highly recommend the groundbreaking The English Connection by Russ Pritchard Sr. and C. A. Huey.) Just visible in the wood adjacent to the butt plate tang is the small circle viewer marking as is referenced on page 115 of the above with a photo illustration and, ’This mark appears on the comb of the stock of a Pattern of 1853 by Potts & Hunt of London’. Not a critical piece of information in light of the obvious Confederate lineage demonstrated by this piece, it should be pointed out that the lock plate and hammer offer two incised lines around the periphery. Rarely observed on Potts & Hunt London marked actions, this feature seems indicative of early Civil War Confederate purchases Potts & Hunt arms. Upon close inspection we find a lightly period inscribed Masonic Device on each side of the butt stock. Saving the worst for last, the forward ramrod guide has some period solder reinforcement where it is fastened to the barrel. While clearly period the reinforcement is of lesser quality in workmanship thus worthy of mentioning. (Could easily be remedied but we’d leave the field repair as part of the gun’s history.)
As for the 44th Massachusetts Volunteer Militia it can be said the unit was raised to fill the Massachusetts quota under Lincoln’s 1862 call for nine month troops. Its nucleus was the 4th Battalion of Infantry, M. V. M. Organized at Readville, Mass. and mustered in September 12, 1862 the 44th moved North Carolina in late October. Here the Regiment in Action at Rawl's Mills, the Demonstration on Newbern and Foster's Expedition to Goldsboro whereupon, of particular interest with respect to our Potts & Hunt forager, Co. B of the 44th Mass. was detached for outpost duty at Batchelor's Creek until May when the Company rejoined the Regiment in Newburn eventually to participate in the Expedition toward Kingston then to Dover Road and finally return to Boston where it was mustered out on June 18, 1863. Regiment lost during service 12 men killed and mortally wounded with an additional 29 by disease.
An outstanding offering, pure period original with an appealing natural smooth chocolate brown patina on iron components and an attractive age sheen on brass and wood. 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!
A note about firearms: WE EMPHASIZE HERE THAT THIS PIECE IS CONSIDERED AN ANTIQUE / COLLECTABLE. IT IS OFFERED AS A HISTORICAL COLLECTABLE ONLY AND 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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6232
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rarely found - Civil War vintage ‘Gen. Sheridan’ style BEAVER HAT
Not a frequently seen style even in the period from which it emanated, this low crowned beaver hat is none the less a well-known, scarce and especially desirable style among Civil War head gear enthusiasts who equate the type to Cavalry Mjr. General Phil Sheridan. Well used with good honest age yet remaining in pleasing un-touched condition with lots of character, this example was certainly equal to the quality of Major General wear as it retains its period paper liner and label of Paris hatter SERVAS. (see: BRADSHAWS GUIDE THROUGH PARIS 1864 / HATTER: Servas, 36 Rue Caumartin. The hats at this establishment are equal to the best in Paris) Otherwise best described by a good look at our illustrations, this Sheridan Hat measures 11 3/2 inches across the brim and its 8 inch diameter crown stands 5 inches. (Note that the General’s hat may appear somewhat lower simply because his is a bit crushed.) It retains its classic earlier to mid-1800s wide patent leather sweat band. 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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6076
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first half of the 19th century- tinned Whale Oil Lamp
Famously associated with Benjamin Franklin who’s patent on the two tube lamp burner declared that two closely adjacent flames produced more than twice light of a single tube, the two tube whale oil burner was popularly used through the Civil War era. Per Hayward’s Colonial & Early American Lighting on page 47, a tinned whale oil lamp of the style offered here is known to have been shown in the 1866 New York exhibition of the Lincoln log cabin. That lamp had history of ownership and use by Lincoln in his early Illinois law office. Offered here as found, untouched and seemingly un-used, this tinned lamp will best be described by our illustrations except to advise that it stands approximately 6 3/4 inches with a 5 1/4 inch diameter base. A nice original example, this attractive old whale oil lamp will go well in any period setting. (see: Civil War vintage Missouri River Steamboat Bertrand cargo excavation collection.)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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