18-11-22….MORGANTOWN W. VIRGINIA 1863 DIARY / JONES / IMBODEN RAID — SCHIZO, DEPRESSED SCHOOL TEACHER PLEADING WITH GOD TO DELIVER HER FROM HER BAD THOUGHTS AND THE REBELS:
Standard 5″ x 3″ leatherette pocket diary filled in for the entire year of 1863. The writer is a spinster school teacher who is clearly suffering from deep depression. Her entries will make you feel depressed too. Incessantly scribing such uplifting entries as … “I feel discouraged”… “I feel fatigued”… “I feel unwell”… “Oh my God help me”… ” I do feel sad and gloomy.” “Oh my God Oh my God” No wonder she wasn’t married. Any man would have run off after the first encounter with her. She mentions numerous luminaries of Morgantown, numerous funerals, visiting the sick, teaching school… etc… She does share some interesting experiences. An outbreak of smallpox caused great concern and reduced the size of the school classes. The rebs came into town.. 4/27/63 “Oh my God what trouble. 900 rebels came in to destroy it. oh trouble the town oh what trouble.” 4/28/63 my God the rebels came back charging on the people. 4,000 what a sight. they all left here.” 4/29/63 600 of our men came in to protect us. we had to leave our houses at midnight for hotel… 5/6/63 raining gloomy, Mrs. E. Morgan spent the evening with us. militia called out. sad times. 5/9/63 “militia left town this morning what sorrow and trouble. but joy in the evening, they all returned again.” 5/18/63 “Capt. Utt came home a corpse.” 6/16/63 “sad day here. the militia called together. my dear brother jackson drafted. oh my God what trouble.” Very good insight into “day to day” life in the Border state. To put the entries in perspective… On April 29, 1863, the largest Civil War battle in present northern West Virginia occurred at Fairmont. It was part of the Jones-Imboden Raid. In the previous five days, Confederate cavalry under General William “Grumble” Jones had fought battles in Hardy and Preston counties. On April 28, Jones raided Morgantown. Ironically, one of the Confederate raiders was William Lyne Wilson, who would later return to Morgantown as president of West Virginia University. Fine West Virginia history…
$195.00
sold

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18-11-23….UNITED STATES COINS STRUCK IN HISTORIC YEARS:
One of the many small collections I’ve put together over the years just because I felt like it or just because I was bored. (Soon I will be selling my cigar boxes, cast iron toys, banks, childrens patriotic china, military china, kids muskets and kids swords etc…) I have enjoyed these coins, now I’ll let someone else do the same. These are darn affordable American antiques from very important years.

A…. BATTLE OF THE ALAMO HALF DOLLAR 1836:
A very sharp example… XF condition… from the year that Crockett, Bowie, Travis and the rest met their fate at the hands of Santa Anna at the Alamo down in San Antonio.
$150.00
sold

B….FORT SUMTER AND THE CIVIL WAR BEGINS HALF DOLLAR 1861
: A near fine San Francisco minted 1861 seated liberty coin from the year of Fort Sumter and First Bull Run. Lady liberty on one side, our Federal eagle on the other. It doesn’t get much more handsome. This coin was there.
$135.00
sold

C….FORT SUMTER AND THE CIVIL WAR BEGINS QUARTER DOLLAR 1861:
A VF 1861 seated liberty coin from the year of Fort Sumter and First Bull Run. Lady liberty on one side, our Federal eagle on the other. It doesn’t get much more handsome.
$85.00
sold

D….WAR OF 1812 HALF DOLLAR … 1812
: VF example of this handsome piece of coinage from the early years of the republic. When was the last time you saw one? Maybe Thos Jefferson carried this….
$260.00
sold

E…CUSTER AT THE BATTLE OF THE LITTLE BIG HORN HALF DOLLAR 1876:
From the same year George and Tom Custer met their fate along with the rest of their troopers is this Fine condition seated liberty half dollar. Lady liberty on one side, our Federal eagle on the other. It doesn’t get much more handsome.
$85.00
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18-11-24…1864 DATED NCO SWORD BY AMES:
Regulation Civil War sergeant’s sword made and marked by Ames and dated 1864. Blade markings are crisp including the GKC inspector’s initials. Blade is VG but the point (tip) has been rounded off. This was likely done for safety reasons should the sword be used theatrically. Note that the included scabbard is a fancy brass mounted steel sheath off a different militia or fraternal sword. It looks to me like something put together for a theater group. The sword and scabbard are a good marriage, they fit great, and they have been together for a hundred years give or take. Here’s another great deal…
$225.00
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18-11-25…MODEL 1860 STAFF & FIELD OFFICER’S SWORD OF THE INDIAN WARS:
The 1860 Staff & Field Officer’s Sword was carried by many General Officers during the Civil War, though the earlier 1850 Staff & Field Officer’s sword was far more prevalent before 1865. The Model 1860 was adopted for all Army officers except medical officers, paymasters and mounted officers, in 1872. This sword is signed Henry V. Allien, a well known military outfitter in NY during the Indian Wars period. It has the three-ring scabbard and a blade that is diamond shaped in cross section. The grip is polished horn like on the Civil War examples. The folding clamshell is fully functional. The sword and scabbard are highly decorated throughout: The pommel is decorated with an eagle and Federal Shield, with a blank tablet (possibly for optional initials) on the reverse. The front clamshell shows the American eagle with arrows and olive branch in its talons surmounted by the Federal Shield in front of a stand of colors. The back clamshell is plain. The blade is plain (no etching). Scabbard is plated steel with gilt brass mounts. The condition is excellent on all fronts. Perfect to display with Custer era through Spanish American War period weapons. Great deal at ….$265.00
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18-11-26 … JAMES A. GARFIELD’S 42nd OHIO …
A small group put together in honor of President Garfield. Garfield was serving in the Ohio state senate at the outbreak of the war and was given command of the 42nd Ohio. He led a brigade sized command in a successful effort against Confederates in eastern Kentucky in late 1861 and early 1862, which resulted in him being promoted to brigadier general, which lead to a brigade command in the Army of the Ohio and the post of chief of staff to Rosecrans. He survived Chickamauga with his reputation intact, but Grant gave command of the Army of the Cumberland to Thomas and Garfield sought his future in the US congress. The grouping consists of a rare Civil War CDV bust view of Garfield as a brigadier general, a memorial ribbon commemorating his death in 1881, and two pieces of Civil War 42nd regiment hat insignia. The insignia are the regulation badges for the officer’s dress or “Hardee” hat and are the scarce metal-backed variety with the bullion embroidered velvet stretched and sewn over a thin metal plate with fastening loops protruding through the polished cotton backing material. The oval hunting horn lacks one loop on the reverse, but still has its wire border and good color to the velvet with no tears. The gold bullion horn has toned down slightly, but has not gone to the zinc color often seen except on the very upper part of the mouthpiece of the horn. The backing is solid but has a separation line. The oval eagle and ribbon side piece likewise has its full border, bright sequined wings and good color to the velvet, though the stitching securing it to the edge of the backing has come undone. The memorial ribbon is printed black on white silk, now a light cream color with two very minor stains. The CDV is not backmarked and perhaps a pirated view, but very crisp nevertheless. Metal-backed bullion insignia have always been sought after by collectors even without a regimental association. This is a nice little group….
$950.00

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18-11-27 … BEAUTIFUL NEAR MINT MANHATTAN REVOLVER … this is one of the best condition examples I have ever owned or seen.
Much like the Colt pocket and navy revolvers, .36 caliber Manhattans were well regarded in their day and were popular private purchase handguns from about 1859 to 1868. This one has nearly all of the lustrous blue and case colors, a crisp cylinder scene, and superb grips. All matching serial number 68822. About 90 percent barrel blue on the 4-inch barrel that shows small handling scratches and small spots of finish loss but blends very well with the strong color on the cylinder, which has vivid cylinder scenes. The loading assembly and frame show strong case colors. The screw slots of the forward three screws show some wear. The frame screws seem untouched. The grips are very good, with lots of finish and just one small ding at the upper right and some minor dings and a short scratch midway on the left and butt. The triggerguard and backstrap show traces of silver. British proofs on the frame forward of the cylinder showing the company was trying to gain a share of the European market. This is a very rare feature on any Manhattan firearm. Top drawer in all respects….
$2,450.00

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18-11-28 … TWO-PIECE MILITIA EAGLE BUCKLE AND BELT…
These two-piece interlocking eagle plates were very popular in the 1830s and 1840s, and held up in some militia units right up to the Civil War, North and South. They frequently show up in photographs of early war volunteers. This one has a nice undisturbed patina and shows a ferrocious American eagle with shield on its breast, clutching the olive branch and arrows, bordered by a row of stars. The surrounding hasp has a typical floral border but in a scarce variant having the knot at the top and the leaves draping downwards on either side. The belt loops have a matching, notched rope pattern. The belt is a typical thin, tarred black leather belt with a narrow, brass wire adjuster. The end holding the tongue (spoon) portion is very crudely stitched… about like Confederate crude. It could be a legitimate example of Confederate “make-do” in the field.
$650.00
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18-11-29 … EARLY AMERICAN MILITIA SWORD:
Circa 1835 brass hilted saber with reverse-P guard, backstrap and langets, with its original and matching brass scabbard. The bone grip has a nice, cream colored patina with checkered designs. Nice and tight, with just some scattered brown marks and one, tight short hairline at the ferrule. The blade is bright mixed with gray, with some thin blue still showing in wide fuller that runs below the back edge and some gilt that still shows in the engraved martial designs that include an American shield, and is stronger in the small protected spots under the langets. There are three minor nicks to the blade edge near the point. Otherwise, edge and point are good. The scabbard has a few dings between the lower mount and drag. Drag, rings and throat are present. There is a small X on the backstrap. I don’t know what it signifies, and a small makers mark is visible stamped on the back edge of the blade where it meets the guard. Looks like a script K in an oval. Brass mounted swords are often classed across the board as artillery sabers since yellow was specified as a mounting color for that branch of service, but the fact is that anyone could order one and in the militia the specifications could vary by company. 34 inches overall length. Very handsome and very affordable.
$650.00

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18-11-30… MINTY NCO SWORD DATED 1863:
Beautiful condition Civil War sergeant’s sword dated 1863, made by Emerson and Silver of Trenton, NJ, complete with its proper E&S steel scabbard. Vividly bright blade with no pits, rust, or edge nicks, and a good point. Very pleasing mellow patina to the brass hilt and scabbard mounts. The scabbard is minty as well, with no dings or dents, and still bears its full blued finish with a few tiny age freckles. Very clear US, DFM inspector and 1863 date stamps on one side of the ricasso and the Emerson and Silver stamps on the other side. Emerson and Silver were ahead of their time in using metal scabbards and collectors have always favored them, as the soldiers likely did also- no chance of breaking them through careless handling. The tradition of arming sergeants with swords as a badge of rank was an old one and NCO swords are a key part of any US edged weapons or Civil War collection. This is as nice as I have seen in recent years. The steel scabbard makes the Emerson & Silver swords suitable for careful use in living history. A dandy overall length 38 inches…
$595.00
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18-11-31… NCO SWORD MADE BY AMES DATED 1864….
Among collectors the Ames company is perhaps the best known supplier of edged weapons in the Civil War. Here is an example of their NCO sword made in 1864, with nice U.S., George W. Chapin Armory Sub-inspector “G.W.C.” stamp, and an 1864 manufacture date on one side of the ricasso, and the Ames Mfg. Co. / Chicopee scroll logo on the other. The blade is a mix of bright and light, steel gray, with no edge nicks or chips, no rust, and a good point, still with its thin leather pad on the underside of the guard to seal the scabbard. Small subinspector marks JH and CSD also appear on the brass hilt, which has a nice, mellow, un-messed-with patina. No scabbard, but a very good example by a well-known maker with a wartime date. 38 inches overall.
$275.00
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18-11-32… COLT MODEL 1849 POCKET REVOLVER WITH 6 INCH BARREL MADE IN 1852:
These 31 caliber Colt revolvers were carried by the thousands in the gold fields of California, in the Wild West, in the Civil War… everywhere. They were Colt’s biggest seller in the 19th century. This one is a five shot example with two-line New York barrel legend. All markings are crisp and clear. All the serial numbers match including the wedge (42,130). It is 100% original, 100% complete, and mechanically perfect. The grips are very nice… The brass back strap and trigger guard retain most of their thick silver plating. The steel surfaces are plum brown and smooth except for some moderate pitting on the left side of the frame and a small area of same on the cylinder, undoubtedly where it rested on that side in a drawer or box that occasionally got damp. A real solid and honest example of the “49 Pocket”.
$950.00
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18-11-33… BUFF LEATHER RIFLE SLING FOR ENFIELD MUSKET:
44 inches long, 1 1/2 inches wide, constructed of white buff leather, in overall excellent condition. Solid and supple. Shows only expected honest age and soiling. Can definitely be attached to a rifle musket without fear of damage. Has faint inked arsenal markings including arrows, and remnants of a date (likely 1858 or 1859). Identical to one sold by The Horse Soldier for $250 dated 1859 that was 41 inches long.
$195.00
sold

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