Rare! Pat, 1853 Day’s CLAVICAL SPLINT Best known for his patented wooden surgical splints, Dr. Almiron M. Day patented several splint designs in the 1850s through the mid-1860s, including arm, leg, shoulder and collarbone splint designs for the purpose of immobilizing injuries. All widely adopted by Union Army surgeons, Dr. Day’s splints were used extensively in the army hospitals during the Civil War. A notable innovation in Civil War-era battlefield medicine and now prized by collectors and historians alike, examples of Dr. Day’s splints are on display at the National Civil War Medical Museum in Frederick, Maryland, and the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. ( see also: Dammann’s ’Pictorial Encyclopedia of Civil War Medical Instruments and Equipment.’ The subject Day’s surgical clavicula or shoulder splint was constructed of wood with brass fittings ( marked A. M. DAY’S PATENT JULY 5, 1853 BENNINGTON VT. ) and cotton fastening straps, all complete. functional and as used with good evidence of period use while remaining in pleasing condition . Un touched and left as found, pure and as set aside decades ago, this offering is best described by our illustrations as to condition and eye appeal. A seldom found example this unusual splint is much rarer than other Day’s types and will certainly be an important addition to a Civil War display or any 19th Century Medical 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!


 

Dr. Francis Lord collection – Civil War vintage California Artillery Zouaves - UNIFORM DEVICE Best described here by our illustrations as to condition and eye appeal, this period California Artillery Zouaves CAZ militia uniform device was acquired by us several years ago when we were fortunate enough to purchase several groupings from the personal collection of our longtime friend, Dr. Francis Lord. Part of a patchwork of militia units formed across California during Civil War the California Artillery Zouaves, also known as Company B, 1st Artillery Regiment, the CAZ were based in San Francisco and active in the California State Militia from 1862 performing ceremonial duties, public drills, and local defense until shortly after the Civil War. ( They maintained detailed muster rolls, election returns, and correspondence archived at the California State Archives 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, Lord authored the widely known, multi volume, 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 pioneer first and second volumes in particular and his Civil War Sutlers & Their Wares continue to offer valuable and reliable reference to Civil War collectors. 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!
 

The Dangers and Duties of the Mercantile Profession as published in 1850 The Dangers and Duties of the Mercantile Profession by George Hillard was published in wraps in 1850. Consisting of 47 pages and containing an address delivered by the author before the Mercantile Library Association in which he discusses the responsibilities and risks associated with the business profession, emphasizing the importance of integrity, diligence and ethical behavior. A rare and informative look at business practices in the mid-19th century, this original publication remains in excellent condition in every respect while offering good evidence of originality and careful period handling. 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!
 

Civil War vintage - Meriden Britannia Company - Pat. 1861- WIRE REINFORCED SPOON Definitely a specialty item for the deep dish mess enthusiast or tableware collector, this ’M.B.Co’ Meriden Britannia Company spoon remains in excellent condition offering M.B. Co. maker marking and the mark of a wire end in the handle edge indicative to the patented application of a cast in internal wire reinforcement. The most significant of several improvement patents utilized by the Connecticut manufacturer, upon close inspection by the educated eye, the clip of the wire end on the side of the spoon handle (see patent drawing) identifies spoons made by M.B. Co. in the period, with or without the {PAT'D FEB.26.61} or maker’s marking. ( A Google search for artdesigncafe.com/g-i-mix-co-designs-history will offer the original parent drawing and description.)
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!


 

antique sand cast - Robert E. Lee DOORSTOP Patterned after the well-known wartime photo of the Confederate General Robert E. Lee taken in the Richmond, Virginia studio of Vannerson & Jones, this cast iron doorstop is reminiscent of the turn of the century casting by the John Wright Co. (founded in the 1880’s) yet a close examination of this piece reveals a crudeness with pronounced cast marks not found with the finer Wright Co. examples. We believe this piece is either an early pre-production example of the John Wright, Lee doorstop or a much earlier sand casting taken from the 1863 Richmond pose and rendered by an entirely different foundry. Standing approximately 7 ½ inches the figure offers a natural age patina as it was acquired in a Virginia estate some twenty years past. Upon the closest examination, a few tiny flex of black enamel show that the piece was originally painted. A bit of an enigma but whether a very early pre-production casting by John Wright or (wouldn’t we like to think so) a war time casting inspired by the Richmond photographer’s image of General Lee, this old cast iron doorstop is deserving of a new home as we clear away some of our many years accumulation. 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!
 

Patent 1856 MECHANICAL APPLE PEELER Referred to in the period as an apple parer, this neat early cast iron mechanical kitchen appliance is boldly marked PATENTED JUNE 17 & DEC. 16, 1856 / TURN TABLE APPLE PARER / MFG. BY LOCKEY & HOWLAND. Though it is missing a tooth in the fly gear (see illustration) the piece seems to be totally functional and will make a nice display piece for the enthusiast of Civil War era mechanical items. 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 !



Manufacturer: Lockey & Howland  

Civil War era CAVALRY MILITIA BUTTONS Twenty-two period militia buttons in unused condition with only a bit of natural patina as good evidence of age and originality. The buttons are of the usual two piece construction and are marked superior quality. They are the standard shell jacket size and are die struck in a horse design making one think they were more than likely intended for use by militia dragoon or cavalry. The buttons come on their original card. A real nice find for the Civil War era button collector. 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!!

Manufacturer: American antique  

Desirable ! Complete 30th Maine Civil War STENCIL KIT A seldom made offer from our years of accumulating original state of Maine Civil War related items, this traveling personal stencil kit consists of a hand soldered tinned sheet iron case retaining its period content of stencil ink bottle, brush, direction sheet and the J. T. Woodbury stencil of Johnson T. Woodbury of the hard fought 30th Maine Infantry. Woodbury was a 22 year old resident of York, Maine when he enlisted on January 12,1864 and mustered in as a Private of Co. C of the newly formed 30th Maine Volunteers. Transferring to Co. F before his discharge and mustering out with the Regiment at the close of the Civil War, Pvt. Woodbury’s 30th saw action at Sabine Cross Roads, Pleasant Hill and Cane River Crossing in Louisiana, then Monocacy, Maryland and Petersburg, Virginia losing 187 of their number in killed, wounded, POW and missing in action. An additional 256 were lost to disease. Rarely encountered as complete even to the period S. M. SPENCER’S Stencil Plates and Indelible Ink direction sheet. 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!


 

Civil War era TIN MESS PLATE Not to be confused with the deeper (and most frequently later) pie plate, this 10 inch diameter die struck, tinned sheet iron mess plate is the real thing. Though well documented in site excavations (see: Philips Excavated Artifacts from Battlefields & Campsites of the Civil War), and in major collections (see: Gettysburg Visitor’s Center Civil War Museum collection), these plates frequently saw hard use thus truly period examples are seldom available in this condition. A must have for the Civil War soldier this plate shows obvious wear from period use while remaining in excellent untouched condition with a nice original age patina to its tinned surface.
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!

 

original 19th century – Railroad WEATHERVANE A particularly desirable decorative piece in a category inundated by modern reproductions this guaranteed period blacksmith forged weathervane will be best described here by our illustrations as to condition, eye appeal and originality. This classic sheet iron railroad steam engine measures approximately 23 ¾ inches in length by 13 inches and offers all the good evidence of 1800s originality that knowledgeable collectors demand. Made available here from a downsizing of our sixty years of aggressively accumulating historic treasures, (see MaineLegacy,com for a small example) this wonderful old railroad weathervane will please the most discriminating eye. 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!


 

Antique DROVER’S WHIP This eye pleasing old whip is hand braided on a leather covered grip and measures just shy of 38 inches in total length. With lots of evidence of age and originality with period use, the whip remains supple and in excellent condition with no breaks, even retaining its period hide thong at its tip. A must have for the Civil War vintage wagoner / drover or Western bound wagon train, the classic 19th century braded whip generally got used up in the period seldom surviving to reach today’s collector’s market. A desirable display item in any number of Americana categories. 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! :
 

rare! circa 1852, 32 page illustrated pamphlet – ‘LIFE OF GENERAL SCOTT’ Disbound as issued with the addition of a period home stitched cover, this rarely encountered, uncopyrighted, 32 page pamphlet was published in 1852 as a highly illustrated summary of the life of General Winfield Scott. Unusual as it was never copyrighted and bears no attribution as to authorship, this document is condensed an abbreviated promotional version to include an advertisement at the foot of page 32 for Edward Mansfield’s THE LIFE OF GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. Remaining in pleasing original condition while offering good evidence of age and careful period handling, this scarce promotional addresses the General’s significant roles in the War of 1812, the Mexican American War, and the early years of the American Civil War. 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!


 

Especially desirable! VIRGINIA MANUFACTORY Confederate Conversion Another remnant from our decades of scouring the countryside for such treasures, this Confederate altered 2nd Model Virginia Manufactory will be of special interest to the deep dish historian who appreciates unquestionable evidence of hard wartime use while remaining in honest as found and unmolested condition. Pleasing to the eye with an obvious hard fought history, this example from the war’s only state run armory was manufactured in Richmond, Virginia circa 1818 with its original ’RICHMOND 1818’ & ’VIRGINIA / MANUFACTORY’ functioning lock. Fitted with its crude field replacement hammer and hammer screw, the arsenal plate is held in place with one arsenal screw and a period field replacement stud and classic square nut. As part of the war-time conversion (c. 1861/62) the original manufacture brass flash pan was removed with an iron sliverset in place under the braised percussion bolster all reminiscent of the work of W. Morgan in Richmond who altered approximately 700 muskets by contract between February and September 1862. The 69 caliber 33 inch barrel offers an appealing smooth 100% natural age patina with telltale wear at the muzzle as a result of heavy use of an iron ramrod. The barrel is unmarked except for a deeply struck V touch mark at the left breech. The musket retains a shortened to fit Tower ramrod as continued evidence of make-do field circumstance. Dr. John Murphy’s CONFEDERATE RIFLES & MUSKETS offers additional insight into these scarce conversions all of which were contracted for by the State of Virginia to supply its own troops. Dr. Murphy in his work and Virginia historian Giles Cromwell in his Virginia Manufactory of Arms offer good information on early war issue of these arms as flintlocks with a campaign to cycle these muskets back through for update conversion to percussion. Included is specific information pertaining to the shortening of muskets which had damage to their forward portions. The stock was period shortened just forward of the middle barrel band with a crude extensively black iron pinned but sound wrist repair continues to provide evidence of a heavily used arm of the weapons starved Virginia Confederate. These, like other Southern and Confederate arms of the war, were obsolescent weapons subject to extremely hard use such that few exist today. As such this crudely adapted field used Virginia Manufactory is all the more desirable as an artifact of the Civil War Confederacy and the State of Virginia. 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!



 

earlier 1800’s to Civil War - INSIGNIA SAMPLE CASE We’ll let our photos do most of the talking on this one except to advise the viewer that this wonderful tailor’s sample case is fashioned from marbled paste board, measures approximately 6.5 x 8.25 inches and contains twenty-one sequined stars of various size and design all classic of earlier to Civil War use. Such stars were utilized in the construction of fine presentation grade flags, to adorn patriotic (and session) badges, General grade shoulder epaulets, and even as Confederate General grade collar devices. An example of this use may be seen on what is considered to be one of the most elaborate uniform frocks in the collection of the old Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond. (see, Gov. John Milton uniform frock : Catalogue of Uniforms / Museum of the Confederacy collection ) An outstanding earlier 19th century to Civil War insignia item. 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!




Manufacturer: American antique  

Confederate Navy identified: c.1852 New American Practical Navigator With lots of good evidence of period use and some age foxing and light staining, this 1852 edition of The New American Practical Navigator by Nathaniel Bowditch remains complete in its 458 pages with the additional page of advertisements and fold out chart all with no tears or repairs. On the inside front cover is the small period stationers label of J. S. Kellogg DEALER IN Books & Stationary, Mobile, Alabama. On the flyleaf a the bold period brown ink signature J. D. Johnston with a pencil notation: C.S.S. Tennessee. Well accounted for in such early histories as DeLeon’s Navies in War and the Confederate Navy in the War Between the States and such as Addresses Delivered Before the Confederate Veterans Association of Savannah by United Confederate Veterans, Georgia Division and the Official Records of the Confederate Navy, James D. Johnston is recorded as Commander Provisional Navy, June 2, 1864, to rank from Oct. 4, 1863; Comm. C. S. S. Baltic 1861-63. Johnston was second in command of the iron clad ram C. S. S. Tennesseeunder Admiral Buchanan at the Battle of Mobile Bay where he was captured Aug.5 1864; prisoner at Ft. Warren; exchanged, Oct. 18, 1864; Mobile Station, 1864-65; surrendered May 4, 1865; paroled May 10, 1865. (Note: Capt. Johnston’s Confederate Navy sword is housed in the Hargrett Manuscripts Library Museum, University of Georgia; col:# ms508(m).) We found an 1896 obituary account as follows: J. D. Johnston died at Savannah, Ga., age 98; he is said to have been the surviving ranking officer of the Confederate Navy and the senior ranking officer by date of commission of the old United States Navy. Previous to the Civil War Johnston served in the U. S. Navy as Midshipman 30 June 1832; Passed Midshipman 23 June 1838; Lt. 34 June 1843. He resigned to join the Confederacy 10 April 1861. A neat item for the Confederate States Navy enthusiast. 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!