1862 Dated Eating Utensils Worman & Ely

21-09-01  From the same firm that gave us the 3-piece traveling mess sets (interlocking knife, fork, and spoons) are these….  A larger size non-interlocking knife and fork.  The knife blade is marked the same as the mess sets we find.  “WORMAN & ELI  –  PHIL’A –  PAT’D FEB. 4, 1862”   These are the first large size Knife-Fork pairs I have encountered.   This knife and fork is substantially beefier than the smaller traveling sets.  The metal handles are constructed the same.  Lay these on  a tin plate and you’ve got a great soldier’s mess display.  The 3-piece mess sets bring $400 to $600 regularly.  You may buy these for   $145.00

 

 

 

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4th Mass. Cavalry Officer’s Kepi

 

21-09-02  Absolutely untouched and dead-real Civil War officer’s cap of the 4th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Cavalry made by Schuyler Hartley & Graham New York.   Overall good condition with serious wear to the quilted lining, and a large moth hole on the right side.  The silk lining inside the crown still shows the embossed maker’s marking of Schuyler Hartley and Graham.  That’s about as good as it gets.   The wool is gently faded with some brown toning.  100% complete and 100% original.  The cap tells it’s own story.   Front has bullion embroidered crossed sabers and numeral 4.  The side buttons are Mass State Militia buttons.  The only thing we don’t know is the owner’s name.

The 4th Mass. Cav. is an interesting and unusual unit that actually saw battle action in Florida at the battle of Olustee.  Florida regiments are rare.

The regiment was organized on Feb. 12, 1864 and carried on its rolls a total of 88 officers and 1,621 enlisted men. Its losses during service were 4 officers and 22 enlisted men killed or died of wounds; 1 officer and 92 enlisted men died by accident or disease; 1 officer and 24 enlisted men as prisoners. In February some of the regiment participated in the Expedition from Jacksonville, Fla., to Lake City, Fla., then February 7–22, 1864 The Battle of Olustee, Fla. On June 6, two companies under Capt. Morton moved to Jacksonville, Fla., and encamped there. In the early part of August the detachment formed part of an expedition up the St. John’s river to Palatka, engaging the enemy at Palatka, Magnolia and Gainesville, with a loss during the expedition of 6 killed and 50 captured, including 3 officers. On Oct. 17, Maj. Keith having resigned, Capt. Webster was promoted to the position. A detachment, under Capt. Staples, took part in an expedition to St. John’s island, S. C., in July, suffering a small loss in the various skirmishes from the 2nd to the 9th. The battalion remained stationed at Hilton Head and Jacksonville by detachments until the close of the war. On reaching Hilton Head, the 3rd battalion was ordered to Fortress Monroe, and reported to Gen. Butler, encamping at Newport News until May 23. It then moved to City Point, Va., and there established headquarters. The 1st battalion, under command of Capt. Richmond, arrived from the south on May 8, and participated in the movements of the Army of the James during the rest of May. In June the command took part in the cavalry operations against Petersburg, being in action at Drewry’s bluff and Bermuda Hundred. Cos. E and H were on detached duty in June, at the headquarters of the 18th corps. On Aug. 15, the 1st and 3rd battalions, under command of Col. Rand, became a part of the 1Oth corps and took part in the operations before Petersburg. They were so engaged until the opening of the spring campaign in 1865. Meanwhile four companies had been detached for service with the 24th and 25th corps, remaining on this detail until their muster out. Cos. E and H with the 25th corps were the first troops to enter Richmond when it was evacuated on the morning of April 3rd. Cos. I, L and M under Col. Washburn were at the headquarters of the Army of the James’ commanded by Gen. Ord. On April 6, 1865, this little force of 13 officers and 67 men were almost annihilated in the effort to hold High bridge over the Appomattox, where in three desperate charges against overwhelming odds, 8 of the officers were killed or wounded, among the mortally wounded being the gallant Col. Washburn. After the surrender of Gen. Lee, all the detachments of the regiment were united at Richmond and remained there on duty during the summer and autumn. On Nov. 14, 1865, the regiment was mustered out and the same month returned to Boston, the men being paid and finally discharged at Galloupe’s island on the 26th.

A dead real and 100% honest cavalry kepi.  $3,250.00

 

Recruiting poster shown as illustration Clip-Art only.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Spur Decorated 4th Model Burnside Carbine

 

 

Image of soldier is for illustration purposes only.

 

BURNSIDE

CARBINE…

21-09-03  This just turned up this week at a modern gun store in Findlay, Ohio. Helper Chuck happened to be there and snagged it. It is fresh to the market, and completely honest and solid… Un-messed with. It is a 4th model with no lever-guide screw in the right side of the frame.  Much scarcer than the ubiquitous 5th Model.  It’s 100% original. 100% complete, mechanically perfect, good bore, good cartouche, crisp markings dates etc… Really nice.

This gun has a near perfect age patina on everything. The steel is uniformly plum brown, the wood looks like a well loved piece of antique furniture, and it clearly shows real wartime use. The wood has some ancient bruises, owner’s initials, and a chip out of the forend that happened when this rifle was shooting at Rebs. It was also SPUR-DECORATED by the trooper who carried it. For whatever reason our cavalryman ran the rowel on one of his spurs back and forth to impress a series of dotted lines on each side of the butt stock. Maybe he thought he was checkering. Or maybe he was drunk. But there’s no doubt that’s what put the dots in the wood. I use a spur to perforate folding edges on cardboard boxes for shipping, same marks exactly.

The serial number is 10976 which is in the range of guns known to have been issued to the 2nd Texas Cavalry. This does NOT mean this gun was issued to that unit, but it suggests that it may have been.   $1,495.00  SOLD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Rare Confederate Staff Officer’s Button

 

21-09-04   Near perfect blouse size Confederate Staff Officer’s button with backmark of H.T.&B. Manchester. A southern picker found twelve of these in a tin box on the original factory card. They were part of a family estate and the name of the CS officer may come to light.   My friends at The Picket Post sold one in 2020 for over $900 and currently have one SALE PRICED on their page at $795.  I got a good deal on a half dozen and can sell you one for  $575.00  (When they are gone they’re gone!)  $575.00

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Factory Engraved Inscribed Colt Navy Revolver 14th Michigan Infantry.

 

21-09-05  FINE GUSTAVE YOUNG DELUXE ENGRAVED COLT MODEL 1851 NAVY REVOLVER. SN 99672. Cal. 36. Fine engraved 4th Model 51 Navy with 7-1/2″ oct bbl, dovetailed front sight and 1-line Hartford address. It has silver plated trigger guard & back strap around a beautiful deluxe burl wood grip. Revolver is beautifully engraved in Gustave Youngs deluxe patterns with full coverage foliate arabesque patterns on frame & recoil shields with some scrolls terminating in flower blossoms. Barrel lug and rammer pivot are engraved to match. Engraving extends over top two side flats with a border pattern around the Hartford barrel legend. Top of back strap has the iconic Gustave Young fan pattern with matching foliate arabesque patterns near the top of back the strap, at the heel, on butt strap and trigger guard. Left side of frame has – COLTS PATENT – hand engraved in an artistic cloud-like panel well known as the Gustave Young form. Hammer is matching.

The back strap is also engraved/inscribed with the Wolverine State owner’s name. – Lt. Fred’ Banks – This is Lieutenant Frederick Banks of the 14th Michigan Volunteer Infantry. Frederick Banks lived in Pontiac, Michigan and was 23 years old when he joined the Union Army. He enlisted on 2/13/1862 at Pontiac as a Sergeant and was mustered into Co. I 14th Michigan Infantry. He was listed as: * Missing 4/30/1864 (place not stated) . During his service he was promoted to Sergeant Major, and then to 2nd Lieutenant on June 20th 1862. He was born in 1840 and died 6/12/1891. He is buried in Ridgelawn Cemetery, Oxford, Oakland Co., MI. After the War he lived in Oakland County, MI.

Here is a history of the regiment. Organized at Ypsilanti and Detroit, Mich., January 7 to February 18, 1862. Mustered in February 13, 1862. Left State for St. Louis, Mo., April 17, thence moved to Pittsburg Landing, Tenn. Attached to 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, Army of Mississippi, to September, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 13th Division, Army of the Ohio, to November, 1862. 1st Brigade, 4th Division, Center 14th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to January, 1863. 1st Brigade, 4th Division, 14th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to June, 1863. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, Reserve Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to October, 1863. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 14th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to December, 1863. Columbia, Tenn., Dept. of the Cumberland, to May, 1864. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 14th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to July, 1865.

Service:Advance on and siege of Corinth, Miss., April 29-May 30, 1862. Actions at Farmington, Miss., May 3 and 9. Reconnoissance toward Corinth May 8. Pursuit to Booneville May 31-June 12. Reconnoissance toward Baldwyn June 3. Buell’s operations along Memphis & Charleston Railroad in Northern Alabama and Middle Tennessee June 13-July 18. At Tuscumbia, Ala., till September 1. March to Nashville, Tenn., September 1-6, and duty there till December 26. Siege of Nashville September 12-November 7. Near Nashville November 5. Near Lavergue November 7. Advance on Murfreesboro December 26-30. Guard trains to Murfreesboro January 2-3, 1863. Duty at Murfreesboro till March 8. At Brentwood till July 3 guarding line between Nashville and Franklin. Duty at Nashville, Franklin and Columbia till May, 1864. Action at Weem’s Springs August 19, 1863 (Co. “C”). Regiment mounted September 8, 1863, and armed with Spencer carbines. Engaged in scout and patrol duty through Lawrence, Giles and Maury Counties, operating against guerrillas of that section. Action at Lawrenceburg, Tenn., November 4, 1863. Specially complimented by General Gordon Granger in General Order No. 38, dated November 8, 1863, for efficient services. March to join Sherman at Dallas, Ga., May 21-June 4, 1864. Atlanta Campaign June 4 to September 8, 1864. Operations about Marietta and against Kenesaw Mountain June 10-July 2. Pine Hill June 11-14. Lost Mountain June 15-17. Assault on Kenesaw June 27. Ruff’s Station July 4. Chattahoochie River July 5-17. Peach Tree Creek July 19-20. Siege of Atlanta July 22-August 25. Utoy Creek August 5-7. Flank movement on Jonesboro August 25-30. Battle of Jonesboro August 31-September 1. Operations against Hood in North Georgia and North Alabama September 29-November 3. March to the sea November 15-December 10. Siege of Savannah December 10-21. Campaign of the Carolinas January to April, 1865. Averysboro, N. C., March 16. Battle of Bentonville March 19-21. Occupation of Goldsboro March 24. Advance on Raleigh April 10-14. Occupation of Raleigh April 14. Bennett’s House April 26. Surrender of Johnston and his army. March to Washington, D. C., via Richmond, Va., April 29-May 19. Grand Review May 24. Moved to Louisville, Ky., June 13. Mustered out July 18, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 1 Officer and 58 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 3 Officers and 184 Enlisted men by disease. Total 246.

CONDITION: Very good. all matching except the wedge. 100% original, 100% complete, and mechanically perfect. Overall exhibits an even gun metal grey patina. Shows scattered light pitting on the bbl & cyl. Cylinder scene is quite worn. Trigger guard & back strap retain hints of their original silver plating. The wedge screw has half its head sheared off. Mechanics are fine. This is a real Factory Engraved Colt with wonderful historical inscription to a fighting Michigan Officer.

$7,950.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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UNIQUE – ONLY ONE IN EXISTENCE – PATTERN

SWORD SUBMITTED TO THE U.S. ARMY FOR

CONSIDERATION BY W. CLAUBERG IN 1862

 

21-09-06  Beyond rare, this sword is truly and literally unique. This is the only one of this pattern in existence inscribed by Clauberg. It has been in my personal collection for over forty years.

This heavy horseman’s saber is deeply and professionally engraved “W. Clauberg Solingen Pattern Presented to the United States May 1862”

Wilhelm Clauberg was a sword maker and steel manufacturer in the Gasstrasse in Solingen, Prussia. His firm supplied edged weapons to most of the civilized world throughout the 19th century. The firm’s origins date back to around 1810. The numbers of swords Clauberg supplied to the Union Army is incalculable. Surviving specimens would seem to indicate that Clauberg was likely the most prolific supplier from Solingen.

My belief is that this model sword was an obsolete Prussian pattern and that Clauberg had access to many thousands of them. Being inexpensive surplus weapons, Clauberg was hoping to cash-in by selling thousands to the US Army for cavalry use.

Since this pattern is not known to have been issued to US troops, we can surmise that the Ordnance Department did not approve this pattern. This sword surfaced in Detroit forty years ago.   It is one of my favorite finds and is an important piece of Civil War history.  I would love this to find a new good home… but I am just as happy to keep it on my collection-room wall.

$3,500.00

 

 

 

 

 

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Whole Plate Tintype USA Artillery Officer and

Important Gentleman In Front of a

Mysterious   Backdrop…

 

 

21-09-07  A remarkably clear whole plate tintype. The large size is very rare in and of itself. Quality whole plate images are frequently the medium used on wealthy or important subjects. These guys really have the charisma and each one looks hauntingly familiar.

The left hand mustachioed Yankee officer is a lieutenant of artillery based on his shoulder straps. He looks a lot like General John Logan but he is not. The older, beefier man has the bearing of someone very important. I sent 4,961 emails to fellow collectors asking if anyone recognized these men. I received hundreds of responses and investigated each one.

One response may have hit paydirt. A very advanced student of photography and author remarked that the older subject bore some resemblance to photographer C.D. Fredricks.

He is correct. The resemblance is uncanny.  It also might explain the odd Latino Backdrop because Fredricks spent the late 1850s into the early 60s traveling Cuba and South America.

The facial similarities are nowhere near enough to identify and convict Fredricks of murder, but they are certainly similar enough to make him a suspect.

The odd backdrop is likely the key to the mystery. It drips with Spanish influence. Being severely OCD I spent 1am to 6am searching Cuban and South American photos taken in the 1860s looking for that backdrop. No fruit on that tree yet. C.D. Fredricks spent late 50s into 1860 or 1861 working in Cuba and South America. As far south as Buenos Aires.

This wonderful tintype is important… I just don’t know why yet.  Just the image, no case.  New mat included for display.    $850.00  SOLD

 

 

 

 

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Superb Civil War Embroidered Smoking Cap

The above image showing man wearing a smoking cap is for illustration purposes only.

21-09-08  Hand embroidered 1850s to 1860s smoking cap. The daguerreotype and ambrotype portraits are for illustration purposes only. They clearly show this type of headgear in use during the time frame. These images are clip-art, and not available for purchase. The cap is a beautiful hand embroidered and hand sewn example in velvet, silk, and wool. It is classic 1850s to 1860s era and is lined in rich deep brown polished cotton exactly as seen in Civil War and earlier forage caps. The sweatband is black silk embroidered with colorful rectangular inserts. The top of the cap has a blue fringed tassel. The cigar smoking man in the daguerreotype is wearing a nearly identical example.  I challenge you to find another this month.   $250.00  SOLD

 

 

 

 

 

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Early Federal Period Cartridge Box – Belly Box.

 

21-09-09   Very cool 200+ year old cartridge box.  The previous owner believed it was Revolutionary War… but in my opinion it dates to the early Federalist period…   1790s to 1812-ish.  John Adams, Thomas Jefferson,  James Madison time frame.   The wood block has 24 holes of large size… Roughly 72 caliber or larger.  2 belt loops on the back, numerous brass tacks, latch tab intact.  The front flap is severely curled.  The button latch on the bottom of the box is gone.   $395.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Well Used Model 1849 Colt Pocket Revolver w Holster

 

 

 

21-09-10  A hard used and well worn Colt and holster… and dead real.  Desirable, long, 6.5 inch barrel has the scarce 2-line New York Address inside brackets.  All serial numbers 25448 match except the cylinder.  The trigger guard bears a stamped letter “X” under the serial, I don’t know what this represents but it appears to be a factory marking. This gun was manufactured in 1852 during the heyday of the California 49ers.  Loading lever is not numbered.  The 5 shot cylinder bears number 167581 (1860).  It looks to have been with this gun since the 1860s.  Metal is well worn, lightly pitted and rust brown in color.  Grips are very good.  Markings are all legible.  Mechanically functional.  The screw heads are buggared.   Original full flap holster is likewise very worn.  It is a great design and style.  It had a worn-through spot where the cylinder rubbed… we repaired this with an inside patch.  Super display rig and very affordable.  Likely saw use in the gold fields, and the Civil War.  Sure looks like it went through both.   $850.00  SOLD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Andrew Jackson Era Coat Hangers

21-09-11   I saw these great old eagles on LiveAuctioneers in a wonderful New England REAL antiques auction and was the high bidder.  The eagle is of the form in use around 1830.  Scrawnier than the ferrocious eagles of the Civil War era.  Ready to hang on the wall inside your entrance way.  For the pair… $135.00   SOLD

 

 

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