Fifty + years of handling history with care.
Janet and Bedford Hayes have spent more than three decades finding, researching, and placing genuine period pieces — uniforms, field gear, photography, and the everyday objects of 18th and 19th century American life. Their work has furnished museum cases and private collections alike.
Every piece that comes through our door is examined, dated, and described plainly — no guesswork, no exaggeration. If we’re not certain, we’ll tell you so.
“The web site your friends won’t tell you about.”
All Manner of Quality Americana
With emphasis to the Civil War era military & non military.
Military Uniforms & Insignia
Coats, kepis, buttons, and rank badges of the war years.
Field Gear & Camp Life
Canteens, mess tins, drums, and the tools of daily soldiering.
Photography & Ephemera
Tintypes, cartes de visite, letters, and printed keepsakes.
Currency & Documents
Period notes, bonds, deeds, and hand‑penned correspondence.
Domestic & Textile Arts
Quilts, samplers, sashes, and the handwork of the home.
Presentation Pieces
Awarded, engraved, or documented items with a known history.
A Few Recent Arrivals
A small sampling — the full catalog is updated as new pieces are catalogued.
Civil War era PATRIOTIC BADGE
Absolutely original and in mint condition, this patriotic star badge measures approximately 1 7/8” across and is constructed of thin die struck brass. The construction style is generally…
Inquire →CIVIL WAR ERA SUTLER / COUNTRY STORE SCRIP
Attractive little cardboard country store or sutler?s scrip. Each is approximately 1 7/8 X 1 ? inches and is printed with a denomination number and the merchant?s identification…
Inquire →historic 1838 / 1839 – Aroostook Border War EPAULETTE
A rarely surviving example of the period common practice of wearing a single epaulette as insignia of rank by military officers both militia and Regulars*, this silver Captain…
Inquire →We've furnished cases for some of the finest museums and private collections in the country — and we still answer the door ourselves.