12-07-26 – Austrian Lorenz 1854 Rifle Musket. This one clearly saw action, and is still in nice condition. These were popular guns and roughly 300,000 were imported by the Confederacy and the Union, second in quantity only to the British P-53 Enfield. These were issued both in their original .54 caliber and also issued bored out to .58 and there was a heavy concentration of them in the Confederate Army of the Tennessee and other CS western units. This example has been bored out to .58 caliber smooth bore. The wood is nice on this one, just some minor handling dings and some wear along the ramrod channel. The iron mounts are generally smooth. The bolster, rear of breech and forward part of the lock plate show typical evidence of firing with some slight corrosion from the percussion caps. The date “860” is clearly visible on the lock – the Austrians used only the last three digits of the year, hence this gun was made in 1860. Front sight is in place as is the original correct ramrod. There appears to have never been a rear sight. I have looked and looked and find no indication of a dovetail ever having been cut in the barrel. The rifle is complete except the upper sling swivel has been removed. A nice example of a typical Civil War infantry arm appropriate for a Yankee or Johnny Reb display, and very fairly priced at……
$895.00 SOLD

Call us @ 419-842-1863

12-07-27 – Fine and Scarce Autographed CDV of Maj. Gen. John A. Dix. His most famous quote … “If anyone attempts to haul down the American flag, shoot him on the spot.” There is even a Civil War penny token which utilizes this wonderful quote. Very sharp full-standing Matthew Brady view with Brady’s name in the negative at bottom right (the better to deter pirate copies!) Signed boldly in his own hand… “John A. Dix” in ink prominently at bottom center. Dix is shown with his hands folded on a beautiful 1832 General Officer’s sword with a knot, swordbelt with NY officer plate, and a major general’s frockcoat with epaulets. Dix had served in the War of 1812, but left the army in 1828 and settled in New York. He served briefly in the US Senate and after the war a term as Governor of the state. In 1861 Lincoln made him Major General of Volunteers 5/16/61 and that early date meant he outranked all other volunteer officers. As Secretary of the Treasury under Buchanan as the Civil War approached he sent his famous message to a Treasury official in New Orleans: “If anyone attempts to haul down the American flag, shoot him on the spot.” Dix’s signature is very strong at the bottom center of the carte … A very collectible CW autograph and even more desirable being autographed on the front of the photo.
$775.00

12-07-28 – 152nd Illinois CDV: Composite CDV view of officers of the 152nd Illinois. Probably taken at muster out, since all that I can identify were mustered out with the regiment. Nine officers in an oval, including the Colonel at center. Springfield, Ill., photographer backmark and ink inscription, “JM Preshaw / McLean Ills.” The 152nd was mustered in 2/18/65 for one year service and was sent to Nashville and then Tullahoma. They were discharged 9/11/65. Center is Col. Ferdinand Stephenson. He had enrolled in the 48th Illinois as a lieutenant 9/2/61 and mustered into Co. B 9/30/61, made captain, and mustered out 11/19/64. During the time he was with the 48th they were at Ft. Donelson, Shiloh, and on the Atlanta Campaign. He was then commissioned as Colonel of the 152nd 2/18/65 and mustered out with them 9/11/65. the At bottom left in 7 o’clock position Surgeon Hiram Plummer. He had been Asst. Surg. In the 110th Ill. and became Surgeon in the 152nd 2/25/65. Bottom center (6 o’clock) Capt. William Moorhead, Co. D and Co. K. He had been in the 73rd but was discharged for disability. He joined the 152nd 2/18/65 and mustered out 9/11/65. Left and right center are probably the Lt. Col. and Major, but I can’t identify them with certainty. From the inscription on the reverse, chances are the figure at top center, with a plain collar, is Chaplain John M. Preshaw, who enlisted as Chaplain 5/5/65 and served until the regiment mustered out. A nice card with plenty of history and more research to do….. Priced friendly at
$100.00 SOLD

12-07-29 – CDV Subject Captured at Gettysburg!

Vignette bust view of Captain, later Major, Charles W. White, 3rd West Virginia Cavalry. Perkins, Baltimore St. backmark. Signature on front of image is almost faded away but can still be seen… “C. W. White… “ Very faint but it IS there. White wears captain’s shoulder straps on a fatigue blouse. White enlisted on 6/15/1862 as a 1st Lieutenant and was commissioned the same day in Co. E. He made Capt. Co. B 10/3/62. He was taken prisoner 7/1/63 at Gettysburg and confined at Macon. He rejoined the regiment and received a promotion to Major on 5/26/65.

The Third West Virginia Cavalry saw lots of action in different areas, serving in separate detachments of companies and squadrons until it was finally united in mid-1864. In 1863 two companies were in Devin’s Brigade of Buford’s cavalry division in the Army of the Potomac, and as such were involved in the fighting at Gettysburg and other cavalry engagements of the campaign. Their strength is given as 5 officers and 59 enlistedmen of Companies A and C. White had apparently been assigned to the group, perhaps because one captain was assigned to overall command of the squadron. Id’d in modern collector notation on rev: “Maj. Charles W. White 3rd WV Cav.” Great Gettysburg history.
$200.00 SOLD

12-07-30 – CDV Photo – Assistant Surgeon James R. Kelch, 151st Ohio. Half-length seated view in non-regulation double breasted frock with ball buttons and no shoulder straps, typical of a doctor’s casual approach to military regulations, but clearly a military vest with brass uniform buttons under it. Nice period pencil identification or signature vertically on reverse: “J R Kelch MD.” James R. Kelch was an Assistant Surgeon in 151st Ohio. He was 30 years old when he enlisted on 5/2/64 and was commissioned 5/13/64. He mustered out 8/27/64. The 151st was a one-hundred day regiment organized at Camp Chase in May, 1864, and sent to Washington, where it actually served under fire in some of the forts around the city during Early’s expedition against it: companies C and G were at Fort Stevens, which is the engagement where Lincoln himself came under Confederate fire. Fine Civil War image with good history… and interesting medical history as well…
$100.00 SOLD

12-07-31 & 32 – CDV Photo Signed and Presented by Winfield Scott! A scarce autographed carte-de-visite by General Winfield Scott, one of America’s most distinguished soldiers, together with a photo of the recipient: Serena Rhinelander, a member of the New York aristocracy. A very character-full photograph of Scott seated, resting one hand on a cane, coat draped over a pedestal and scowling at the camera, as well he might. He had served in the War of 1812 and Mexican War, gaining fame in each, (and carrying the rank of General in each!)… as well as in a host of lesser conflicts, and was a presidential candidate in 1852. At the beginning of the Civil War he formulated the “Anaconda Plan,” which was ultimately successful in subduing the south. He was politically outmaneuvered and eased out by McClellan, however, retired in late 1861 and took a brief trip to Europe. Hence his civilian clothes, the New York photographer, and the severe look.

Inscribed by him personally on the reverse in ink, which shows a slight shakiness of hand due to his age: “Inscribed to Miss Rhinelander, with the respects of Winfield Scott. 1862.” Rintoul & Lockwood, New York, photographer label on the reverse bottom.

Accompanying this is a second CDV by a Staten Island photographer of woman posed full length standing in a long dress, identified in period ink on reverse as “Miss Serena Rhinelander.” Serena Rhinelander was a prominent New York socialite whose family made a fortune in real estate and spent much time and money in charitable and social causes. They may have played host to the General during a visit to New York City.

A scarce signed view of a very significant American…. A fine historic pair of CDV photos….
$895.00 SOLD

12-07-33 Full length standing view of an unidentified Yankee line officer. This lieutenant or captain stands next to a photographer’s studio chair with his slouch hat held by his side. Regulation single breasted frock coat with straps makes clear he is a line officer, but I can’t quite make out the bars on the shoulder straps, so his exact rank is unclear. A serious looking older officer, possibly an assistant surgeon, but most likely one of the unsung heroes who led their companies through the war and, if lucky, made it back to civilian life. No backmark. A classic real Civil War soldier photo…
$35.00 SOLD

Call us @ 419-842-1863

12-07-34 – Quarter Plate Tintype Real 1860s Wild West Cowboys: Here is as rare a view as you can hope to find. Real cow pokes armed with real six shooters, horses, etc. These guys are the real-deal… armed cowboys and their ponies. Right down front is an Indian (or Half Breed Indian-Mexican), kneeling down and shaking hands with his faithful dog. The two cowboys behind on the right both sport holstered Colts with slim-Jim holsters mounted on their belts in the “butt forward” position. The skinny rustler on the far left stands next to his horse with a clearly visible military canteen strapped to the harness. The image evokes feelings of Texas and the American Southwest. The stuff of Hollywood movies, but this is real life. It is far rarer than any outdoor Civil War view. Condition is overall quite good but it does have some bends and bangs. It is housed in a mat, frame, and glass, but likely existed on the loose for many years long ago resulting in the minor abrasions we see. Great wild-west image…
$795.00 SOLD

Call us @ 419-842-1863

12-07-35 – He served with Forrest!

Confederate Soldier’s Bible Carried by One of Forrest’s Cavalrymen.

Nathan Bedford Forrest will need no introduction- regarded by both sides as one of the true cavalry geniuses produced by the war. Here is a Bible carried in the field by one of his officers and later handed down to a family member (presumably the Reb’s grandson) who served in the United States Marine Corps in World War One! Leather bound bible published in Oxford, England in 1862 and run through the blockade… then carried by Capt. A.C. Reid of the 14th Tenn. Cavalry under Forrest and signed by him on the flyleaf in clear, readable pencil:

“A.C. Reid Capt. / Compy. H of the 14th/ Tenn Cavly 1st Brigade/ 1st Divis of Maj Genl / Forrest Comd of Cavly/ July the 6th 1864”. This executed in wonderful period script. Then interestingly inscribed again much later and in a different hand: “Gus Greer Reid / of the US Marine / Corps” showing that the Good Book was again carried off to war by another Gallant Southerner in WW1.

The 1864 date in this bible probably marks the elder Reid’s formal reinstatement in company command. He first enrolled in May, 1861, at Denmark, Madison County, for twelve months in the 6th Tennessee Infantry, and served with them as corporal until about May, 1862, when he decided riding was better than walking and left without a clear paper trail. Sometime later he began recruiting a company in Madison County for Neely’s regiment of Tennessee cavalry, a unit authorized in the Spring of 1863 under James J. Neely and recruited largely behind Union lines. Reid must have had a company early on because on 26 May 1863 he and some of his men were captured in a night raid by Union forces at Bolivar, Tenn., and he must have escaped or been exchanged soon after, for he was formally elected Captain of Co. H 14 July 1863 when the regiment organized.

In May of 1864 he and more than ninety others of the regiment were arrested by Forrest on complaints that they had joined the cavalry while absent without leave from infantry units and were sent back to those units, a decision that cost Forrest another fifty men the next day in desertions. Thus Reid found himself briefly under arrest in the 6th Tennessee Infantry as a private until he was able to produce papers proving he had been regularly transferred. He must have done so quickly because in July he is mentioned again as a Captain in the 14th Tenn. Cavalry. This bible may mark his formal reinstatement to command.

The 14th Tenn. Cavalry served in the brigade commanded by Richardson, Neely, Rucker and Jackson. They participated many of Forrest’s actions in Tennessee and Mississippi, including LaFayette, Okolona, Spring Hill, etc. They absorbed a number of other units, but maintained their designation until early 1865 when they were absorbed into Nixon’s Consolidated Tennessee Cavalry Regiment, and finally paroled in May, 1865.

Reid obviously survived the war and passed the bible down to a descendant who enlisted in the US Marines in World War One, but that is another story that I will leave for you to uncover.

Condition is good to very good… has a little damage to the spine, but solid. Just what you would expect from being carried by an active cavalry officer in his saddle bags. This is a great relic of a famous Confederate cavalry unit, and a family with a strong military tradition. There is plenty more great research waiting to be done on this….
$795.00 SOLD

Call us @ 419-842-1863

12-07-36 GAR Hat Wreath: Standard hat and cap insignia worn by the old Union Veterans to the GAR reunions. Perfect condition with gilt finish. Four attaching wires on the back….
$27.50 SOLD

12-07-37 Another GAR Hat Wreath… this one with some attractive age patina… Has two prong fastening device on the back. Earlier form??? I like the color on this one best.
$32.50 SOLD

12-07-38 Gilt Brass Chicago 1900 Souvenir GAR National Encampment badge. 2-pc with pin intact. Perfect condition
$16.50 SOLD

12-07-39 Ribbon 1938 Michigan Women’s Relief Corps. Near perfect…
$8.00

12-07-40 Ribbon Women’s Relief Corps Detroit 1927 with nice graphic of the GAR Hall in downtown Motown.
$10.00 SOLD

12-07-41 3-Pc Gar Badge having top pin, RWB embossed ribbon, and white metal planchet bottom about the size of a half dollar. Ribbon says GAR 1901 Annual Encampment. Planchet has two busts and wording “B.F. Stephenson Founder W.G. Veazey Comm. In Chief” on obverse and embossed GAR medal on the reverse. About perfect condition…
$35.00
Call @ 419-842-1863

12-07-42 Large Yellow Silk Ribbon 54th Convention of the Woman’s Relief Corps. Washington DC 1936. Near Perfect.
$12.00

12-07-43 Near Mint 1938 Dept of Michigan GAR medal. Top bar is an eagle, RWB ribbon embossed with data from Grand Rapids June 13,14,15 1938, bottom planchet is GAR star motif. Near mint. These late badges are quite rare as the ranks of Union Veterans was darn thin by then. Roughly 6 inches in length.
$75.00

12-07-44 Silk Ribbon 8th 18th Indiana and 1st Indiana Battery. Lists all their battles. 8 inches long with small tear through the word “Old” in “Old Brigade”.
$16.00 SOLD

12-07-45 National League of Veterans & Sons Reunion – Political ribbon” 5 inches in length. Silk ribbon with 2nd Corps Insignia. Ribbon is embossed with the wording “The Fordney NLVS . 1911”. Pinned to it is a celluloid 2nd Corps Clover insignia. Fordney was US Congressman from Saginaw, Michigan .
Per Wikipedia – “In November 1898, Fordney defeated incumbent Democrat
Ferdinand Brucker to be elected as a Republican from Michigan’s 8th
congressional district to the 56th United States Congress. He was
subsequently re-elected to the eleven succeeding Congresses, serving from
March 4, 1899 to March 3, 1923. Fordney served as the chairman of the
Committee on Expenditures in the Department of the Navy in the 59th
Congress; and of the Committee on Ways and Means in the 66th and 67th
Congresses. He co-sponsored the 1922 Fordney-McCumber Tariff. He declined to
be a candidate for renomination in 1922. He was also a delegate to the
Republican National Conventions in 1908, 1924, and 1928. Interesting ribbon
with Civil War and political connections….
$35.00

12-07-46&47 – First ribbon is mint red and gilt lettering ribbon for 1938 Woman’s Relief Corps delegate.Pair of Civil War Veteran Ribbons: First is near perfect celluloid shield over RWB ribbon embossed for the Ingham County Michigan 35th Reunion of the Soldiers and Sailors Association at Mason, Michigan Sept. 24-25 1901. Both ribbons for
$22.00

Call us @ 419-842-1863

12-07-48 – A Scarce Seventh Corps Badge adorns this Sons of Veterans Reunion Ribbon. Red, White and Blue woven silk ribbon with silver embossed lettering: “Compliments of the Michigan Division / Sons of Veterans / USA / Eighth / Annual Encampment / Detroit/ August 3-8 / 1891” Just some wear at the bottom and at top right.
$16.00

12-07-49 – Blue woven silk ribbon with black lettering: “G.A.R. Washington D.C. 1892.” This is from the heyday of the G.A.R., who turned themselves into not only a powerful advocate for veterans but a political force. A nice piece reminding us how for most veterans the war was probably the most significant event of their lives….
$14.00

12-07-50 – Thin stamped brass pin at top with celluloid “Delegate” label. A red, white and blue woven silk ribbon with gilt embossing reading: “Annual Convention National League of Veterans & Sons Oct. 4-5, 1911 Saginaw Mich.” Below that hangs a celluloid button with a Ninth Corps badge emblem on it with N.L.V.S. in the top section of the shield. This was an offshoot organization of the G.A.R. and was founded in Saginaw in 1899. G.A.R. and related badges offer a wide variety to the collector, which makes it fun and challenging. I think this must be one of the scarcer varieties…
$25.00

12-07-51 – Twenty-Second Michigan, Army of the Cumberland– An unusual 22nd Michigan veteran’s ribbon commemorating their silver anniversary reunion. Silver bullion band at top and silver fringe at bottom. Silver lettering on a light blue silk ribbon reading : “25th Annual/ Reunion. Silver/ 22nd Michigan / Vol. Inf’y/ Fowlerville / Mich. / Aug. 22, 1892” and an Army of the Cumberland badge embossed just under the word “silver.” This regiment lost 89 officers and men killed and mortally wounded. It was particularly hard hit at Chickamauga where it suffered 51 killed and 132 wounded….
$23.00

12-07-52 – 84th Indiana—Fourth Army Corps. White woven silk ribbon with blue lettering: “1899 in a wreath/ 27th Annual /Reunion /of /84 TH/ Indiana/ Volunteer Infantry/ 4th Corps badge/ Lewisville, Ind./ Sept. 18.” Good condition with slight separation line on corps badge and partial gilt fringe. This was another hard-fighting unit, seeing action at Chickamauga, Kennesaw Mountain, Atlanta, losing 87 officers and men killed and mortally wounded.
$23.00 SOLD

Call us @ 419-842-1863

12-07-53 – Very Scarce 1859 Dated Ames Light Cavalry Saber in very good condition with original correct 1859 flat-throat scabbard! We are all accustomed to calling these “1860 Light Cav. Sabers,” but it has long been known that the first examples were produced in 1857 in an effort to remedy complaints about the heavier 1840 pattern. There were some initial problems in production, but a third contract for 1,000 swords was given to Ames in November, 1858, on which he delivered in March and April 1859. A fourth contract for 5,000 was given in March, 1859, but these all seem to have been delivered with the later “funnel-throated” mouthpieces that were specified after June of that year. It is overall VG condition with the leather and wire on the grip being perfect restorations, the balance all original. The scabbard is a smooth plum brown and free from dents. There is some gentle surface pitting on the surface of the sheath. The blade is nice, bright mixed with just a little gray here and there. There is a little roughness on the false edge back from the tip, but not bad, and there is no sharpening. The ricasso is rough on the Ames logo side, but the obverse is very clearly marked: “U.S. / J.T./ 1859.” This is John Taylor, Assistant Sub-Inspector, whose mark is also found on some 1860 dated examples (Thillman, page 81.) This is a scarce frontier army and early war cavalry saber, tough to find, and worthy of a great collection…. Truly scarce with this early date…
$950.00 SOLD

Call us @ 419-842-1863

12-07-54 – Regulation Civil War Issue Cup: This is the real deal — the actual Union Army issue drinking cup. This one is a bit rusty and crusty but 100% genuine. Has a couple small rust holes in the bottom.
$175.00 SOLD

12-07-55 – Early War Square Flap Cap Box: Early style (same as most Confederate boxes) with square flap and separately sewn latch tab. Excellent condition with expertly repaired latch tab. Perfect for US or CS display and a fraction the cost of a rebel made cap box.
$195.00

Call us @ 419-842-1863

12-07-56 – M-1860 US Cavalry Saber by C. Roby and Co.: Standard issue US Civil War light cavalry saber. This one made and marked by C. Roby and Co. Chelmsford Mass. It is also inspected and dated 1865. The ricasso is further marked with rack numbers of unknown significance “C787” and others. Condition of saber is VG with near perfect leather and twisted wire handle wrap. The blade is grey steel with moderate wear to the markings. This is housed in a model 1906 style scabbard with suspension rings mounted closer together and the throat secured with a screw on the back edge of the scabbard. One of the more affordable CW sabers we have to offer this month.
$465.00 SOLD

Call us @ 419-842-1863