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5854
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Gettysburg – Camp Letterman Chaplain’s Tent – 4 Volume BIBLE
Set aside in our own accumulation for years, this offering is a product of our many years of searching out such treasures from estate sales, antique shows and the now all but extinct antique orientated weekly markets, this desirable Old & New Testament Bible was published in four leather bound volumes by the New York Bible Society 1859. The fly leaf of each bears the period brown ink inscription Return to Chaplain’s tent Camp Letterman. No real Maine connection beyond being found here in Maine, we none the less set this aside years ago as part of our state of Maine related Civil War relics, (You can see a small portion of that accumulation at MaineLegacy.com ) All complete and in pleasing condition with solid bindings and yet with good evidence of originality and careful period use, we need not go on here about the roll of Letterman Army Hospital as more than 14,000 Union and 6,800 Confederate wounded of the Battle of Gettysburg were treated there. A favorite for years, it is time to pass this desirable set on where it will be preserved, appreciated and hopefully set among other Battle of Gettysburg or Civil War medical material. 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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5889
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fine antique - Saddle Girth Strap
With hand stitched leather and white cotton cord with decorative hand rendered macramé embellishments in a familiar patriotic style of the earlier 1800s, this attractive antique girth strap remains in exceptional, seemingly unused condition while offering good evidence of age and originality. [A bit of blue milk paint in one place (see photo) can be easily removed if the new owner wishes.] This outstanding piece of Americana measures approximately 37 inches in length by 7 1/2 inches wide and will display well on a wall, with antique western or equestrian equipment or as companion to a nice period antique saddle, military or civilian.. 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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4508
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c. 1850 /1860s Camphene Lamp
This attractive little lamp sports a heavy glass body with a threaded pewter burner receptacle and collar. The screw in cap is fitted with a brass wick tube. The cap retains its original chain and pewter snuffer. Dangerous though it could be due to its volatile camphene oil fuel, actually a mixture of turpentine and alcohol, the little lamp produced a bright, clean burning light making it a popular lighting device in its day. The extra length and small diameter of the wick tube is a telltale feature of the camphene fueled lamp offering an extra measure of separation of flame from fuel reservoir. Though referred to by collectors as a snuffer the chained pewter cap was intended to prevent evaporation of fuel when the lamp was not in use. A nice all original example of the type for the lighting device collector, these little sparking lamps are well suited to display with period medical / surgical collectables. Don't forget to give our search feature a try for special wants. A simple key word in lower case works best. Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques!
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5803
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19th century -- Skey’s - Wilnecote Works - STONEWARE OYSTER JAR
Standing 6 3/4 inches and 4 13/16 inches in diameter with a 2 1/2 inch wide opening at the mouth, this attractive 19th century oyster jar remains in pleasing condition with no cracks, chips or other detracting issues and is nicely maker marked GEORGE SKEY – WILNECOTE – TAMWORTH. George Skey established his stoneware works in Tamworth in 1860 and quickly became a world leader in the manufacture of all manner of stoneware containers. His stoneware beer bottles will offer Civil War collectors the most prevalent example of his product with oyster jars such as this one showing up in far less quantity. A coveted culinary treat of the Civil War camp, period photographic examples of these stoneware oyster jars seem reserved to the officer’s mess table. 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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5525
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18th century CASED BALANCE SCALES
Our photo illustrations will do best as a description of these nice old 18th century scales. Untouched and completely original even to the original green cotton suspensions, the iron beam is nicely shaped in the classic style of the 18th century. The brass pans offer an attractive deep age patina. The original sharkskin covered pocket case remains sound at the hinges and while one of the closure clasps is missing, remains in nice condition commensurate with age and period use. The inside cover retains its period silk lining under an attractive printed guide to weight of various gold coins. All original and pleasing to the eye, this little scale will lay in nicely with Colonial / American Revolutionary War relics. Don't forget to give our search feature a try for special wants. A simple key word in lower case works best. Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques !!
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5881
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Civil War Burnside CARBINE – 4th Wisconsin Cavalry serial range
An opportunity for the Civil War collector historian, especially one with a bent towards Civil War Cavalry, to acquire an original issue weapon that, by virtue of not just a single serial number but by period happenstance a second serial number, both of which fall in the serial range of known 4th Wisconsin Volunteer Cavalry Burnside carbines offers a solid link to that regiment. As is our usual habit and to preserve the historic integrity of the piece, we have left it untouched so as to preserve its natural age with a patina that comes with period field use followed by decades of attic storage. This all original Burnside remains in pleasing to the eye, functional condition, yet offers the charm of period issue with the added appeal of ties to a specific regiment. A good look at our carefully rendered photos will provide the best physical description.
A Word About Serial numbers.
This Carbine offers the serial # 16168 on the breach block & serial #34616 on the receiver frame and barrel.
Of the serial numbers recorded # 16114 & 16174 and #34576 & 34677 were issued to the 4th Wisc. Cavalry
As both primary arm numbers 34576 & 34677went to Co. K it is most likely that this arm was issued to that Co. K as well
While mismatched serial numbers are not pleasing to firearms collectors, the circumstance of the mismatching can offer important information to the Civil War collector / historian with respect to the weapons issue history. That is to say, when the mixed serial numbers each fall in the range issued to the same regiment, it is most likely that the misnumbered component was inadvertently mixed when the weapon was broken down for cleaning. (A task frequently accomplished by a group cleaning their arms together or in some situations certainly by one or two troops who drew the short straw.) In our experience, such mixing of components occurred most frequently with the cavalry issue Colt percussion revolver and Burnside cavalry carbine, the mixing of components occurring with revolver cylinders and in the case of the carbines the inadvertent switching of breach blocks, one arm to another. The likelihood of switching of these specific components quite high when one considers that cleaning of the revolver required removal of the cylinder from the frame just as cleaning of the Burnside carbine required removal of the breach block. When several arms were cleaned together it is not difficult to understand a likelihood of mixing of these the numbered components. When the mismatched breach and frame both fall in a known issue serial range of the same regiment, the origin of the mismatched arm is well established.
In this instance both serial numbers are in the range to the 4th Wisconsin Volunteer Cavalry with the primary serial number of the carbine (that is the frame and barrel number) falling in the range of Co. K of that regiment.
As preservation of the history of this arm a copy of our research notes (to include a roster of Co. K) will be provided under our letterhead
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 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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5706
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c. 1883 Grass Point Cavalry Camp – WATERCOLOR
Offered here just as we acquired it, this pleasing old watercolor measures 6 X 8 7/8 inches and is mounted on a period wood board. On the back is a faint but discernable pencil notation Grass Point Cavalry Camp. Best described by our photos, this watercolor is signed Bucknam July 1883. A nice piece of Americana. 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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5844
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Original! c. 1853 / 1862 Dr. CHILTON’S – COMSTOCK & BROTHER - FEVER PILLS
Offered in fine, as new condition after decades of storage, we have a very limited number of Dr. CHILTON’s FEVER and AGUE CURE Manufactured by COMSTOCK & BROTHER, New York labeled pill boxes of turned birch wood, each containing a complement of pills. Founded in New York in 1853 the Comstock & Brother apothecary firm was a colorful outfit to say the least, spending as much time in court fighting off charges that they had invented doctors such as Dr. Chilton out of thin air simply to promote their cures. In one instance court records show they not only created an cure creator but invented a history to include family members and life among the Indians where the secrets of the cure were learned. By 1863 the brothers Comstock had parted ways and their apothecary business ceased to exist. More than anyone needs to know we suppose but an interesting bit of Americana. Priced here individually for the collector who would enjoy one, this offering will go well in any period apothecary, early quack medicine or Civil War era personal grouping. please note: ALL ITEMS ARE CURRENT & AVAILABLE UNLESS MARKED SOLD!! Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques !!
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5536
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attic find Antique Wood Block PICTURE PUZZLE in CRANDALL’S Pat. 1867 box.
Our photographs will likely do best to describe this colorful multi-dimensional Victorian picture puzzle. Offered here as attic found, stored in a wonderfully labeled CRANDALL’S - Great Show Acrobats – Pat. 1867 dovetailed, game box. The slide top pine box remains in excellent condition measuring approximately 9 7/8 x 6 1/8 x 2 inches. The puzzle consists of 20 wood blocks each 1 ¼ inch square. Each covered on four sides by colorfully illustrated lithograph paper, each side a portion of one of six detailed scenes. (see photos). Two period printed sheets remain in the box as a guide to scenes. (We will include laser printed views to each of the additional scenes.) The blocks remain in eye appealing condition with bright colors but with wear at the edges as evidence of period use of the toy. An attractive mid 1800s play item, the owner will have a tough time deciding which of the colorful illustrations to 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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5579
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WILDERNESS - Civil War BATTLEFIELD PICKUP Cartridge Box Plate
This US oval cartridge box plate is in as found condition with a deep, rich age patina with a period milk paint identification WILDERNESS crudely printed across the face edge. A look at the reverse reveals the remains original lead filling the majority melted away. A prophetic testament to the horrors of the fires that erupted in the dry and tangled foliage of the Wilderness battlefield leaving wounded on the field, exposed to potentially inescapable flames. An early recovery relic ‘eyeballed’ long before the advent and advantages of modern relic hunting equipment, we acquired this piece several years ago when we were fortunate enough to purchase several groupings from the personal collection of our longtime friend, Dr. Francis Lord. A pioneer 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 and value of 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.) Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques!
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5557
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extra fine! original Civil War – ARTILLERY CAP INSIGNIA & BUTTONS
Finely die struck with gold wash, this extra quality false bullion cross cannon insignia remains in exceptional condition in all respects and comes with an equally fine pair of A cap buttons. Illustrated here with a quarter for size comparison, the crossed cannon insignia measures 2 ½ inches wide and retains all four of its original soldered on fastening wires. The buttons are back marked HORSTMANN’S NY & PHI. An extremely fine all original Civil War artillery 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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4444
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1927 Grand Rapids G. A. R. National Encampment – REPRESENTATIVE MEDAL
All in excellent condition with bright original ribbons (no splits or weak spots), this attractive Civil War veteran GAR National Encampment Representative medal is dated 1927 and was issued to veteran representatives attending the 61st National Encampment in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The medal carries the figure of GAR National Commander Frank A. Walsh. Walsh enlisted in the 67th Illinois Volunteer Infantry at age 15. He saw subsequent service in the 46th Illinois 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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5799
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original! Civil War vintage TIN CAN & SPOON
A classic of common life seldom surviving to reach todays collector of Civil War mess gear or personal items, the vast majority of these cans were crushed and cast away once they had served their purpose. Telltale of the period is the extremely thin sheet iron material, over lapping lead soldered seams and the spot of solder sealing what had served as a vent hole in the top of the can. The period preservation process required that full cans be heated with the small vent hole then sealed with a spot of lead solder. (The heating and resulting vacuum resulting from sealing off the vent before the content was entirely cool offered some considerable shelf life in the days before refrigeration.) This rare intact example somehow avoided the crushing boot and trash heap and just for effect comes with a good old cast spoon of the same era. A simple period pair that will add a finishing touch to any Civil War personal or winter camp 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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5842
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Patent 1873 FINGER LAMP
A nice item for the lighting enthusiast, Indian War era personal item collector or 19th century Americana fan, this little oil lamp is offered untouched and just as it came out of decades of storage. Remaining entirely original, complete and in fine condition yet with an eye pleasing natural age patina on its brass components, this little finger lamp is marked * PATENTED * OCTOBER 28, 1873* Don't forget to give our search feature a try for special wants. A simple key word in lower case works best. Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques !!
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5850
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Early Civil War - Col. Elmer Ellsworth PATRIOTIC BADGE
Considered by many to be the first officer to fall as a causality of the Civil War, the image of young Zouave Colonel Elmer Ellsworth became a center piece among Union sympathizers after he was shot and killed as he removed a Confederate flag from the Marshal House in Alexandria, Virginia. Badges such as this one featuring a gem size tintype of Col. Ellsworth were worn by military and civilian citizens in the patriotic fervor of the early Civil War. (see cover: MILITARY IMAGES Autumn 2017 p.32 ) A scarce period example, our illustration will do best to describe this attractive offering. 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
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