1st Maine Heavy Artillery – Spotsylvania Court House wounded Averill brothers - TINTYPE pair A rare offering from our decades of collecting Manie images, (at age 81+ its time to reluctantly pare down) these images emanated from a small group of Maine Averall family tintypes. Each retains an early 1900’s gummed label identification by Ira Dunn Averill (1871-1933) the son of the subject of this of Benjamin Dunn Averill ¼ plate and William S. Averill shown in this 1/9th plate patriotically matted tintype. Both wounded at Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia with the hard fought 1st Maine Heavy Artillery we couldn’t bear to break up the brothers but will be offering other Averill family related Civil War tintypes from the group separately. (see our items: 63522 & 63523)
Benjamin D. Averill Enlisted and was mustered in on December 28,1863 as a Private of Co. E 1st Maine Heavy Artillery. Wounded at Spotsylvania Court House on May 19,1864, he was promoted Corporal on May 5, 1865 then to Sargent upon mustering out on September 1,1865. After the war he lived in Prentiss, Maine and is buried there in the Belden Cemetery.
Brother William S. Averill mustered in as a Private of Co. I, 1st Maine Heavy Artillery on January 5,1864. He was wounded at Spotsylvania Court House on the same day as brother Benjamin. (A tough day for Mother.) Discharged for disability on May11,1865, William lived in Orono, Maine after the Civil War and is buried there in the Riverside Cemetery. Our letter attesting to the above will be included with the tintype 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!
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15th Vermont Gettysburg Veteran’s COPPREHEAD BADGE Emanating some years ago in a Vermont period Adams family estate sale, this pierced Copperhead Penny is offered as found retaining its E. R. Adams inscribed suspension bar. An especially interesting Civil War military / political artefact reflecting the conflicting view of those Union troops who while holding Peace Democrat / Copperhead views opposing President Lincoln’s conduct of the war, the draft, and emancipation, served honorably in the Union cause. Our research of a period E. R. Adams found but a single example. He was Edward R. Adams who was a resident of Newport, Vermont when he enlisted on September 18, 1862 and mustered in on October 22, 1862 as a Private of Co. H 15th Vermont Infantry. (see: Roster of Vermont Volunteers During the War of the Rebellion 1861-66) Before mustering out with the nine month 15th Vermont on August 5, 1863, Pvt. Adams’s regiment was engaged at Fairfax Court House, Va. and Confederate Gen. Stuart’s Raid at Catlett's Station, Virginia. Additionally Co. K and Adams’s Co. H of the 15th served at theBattle of Gettysburg on July 1, 2 and 3, 1863. (The 15th’s 2nd Vermont Brigade’s decisive flank fire on Pickett’s Charge was widely credited with helping to break the Confederate assault on July 3.)
More research may offer insight as to whether our young Copperhead /Peace Democrat enlistment came before emancipation became a driving force, was due to community pressure or, like some Union soldiers, was a reflection changing politics after enlistment. It is interesting to note that while continuing to serve, letters and diaries from soldiers in Democratic counties sometimes show open hostility to Lincoln, abolition, and radical officers. Further that while not a Copperhead, General George B. McClellan was idolized by the movement with many Democratic soldiers viewing him as their true commander-in-chief even after Lincoln replaced him. A desirable political / military relic 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!


 

Civil War era CASED DIPPING PEN This outstanding Civil War era traveling ink pen has a shaft of natural shell with knurled gold plate grip and gold nib. The attractive writing instrument is approximately 6 ¼ inches in total length and remains nestled in its’ original leather covered carrying case. The natural shell shafted pen and nib remain in fine original condition. The leather covered travel case is strong at the hinge and remains in pleasing condition with desirable minor evidence of period use. A nice personal item for the Civil War collector or writing instrument 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!
 

Collage Photo Original! c.1865 Lincoln / Hamlin 13th Amendment While its original 11 3/4 by 10 ½ inch mount was trimmed for inclusion in a period oval frame, this 8 ¾ by 10 1/8 inch diameter, this albumin photo remains in excellent original condition with sharp focus and strong contrast. US Patent registered in 1865 by Powell & Co. photographers, this desirable period photomontage offers portrait images of President Abraham Lincoln his, Vise President Hanabal Hamlin and over 100 Congressional supporters of the 1865 13th Constitutional Amendment banning slavery. On the reverse are period brown ink penned notations identifying the Washington D.C. photographer and subject. A scarce original photo of special interest to Civil War and Black History enthusiasts alike. 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!
 

vintage Navy BOATSWAIN’S PIPE Offered here untouched and as found after decades of storage, this 19th century boatswain’s pipe shows heavy period use and good evidence of period originality while remaining solid and pleasing to the eye. Due to its high pitch the pipe it could be heard over activities in bad weather or combat and was used by the Navy Boatswain to pass commands to the crew. Will set well in any Civil War era nautical grouping without breaking the bank. 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!
 

Historic Americana - 1876 CDV – 92 year old Identical Twins Daniel & James Prince Of special interest to American history enthusiasts, this centennial year 1876 carte de visite by Moore Bros. of Springfield offers a view of the offsprings of a Revolutionary War British POW, the 92 year old identical twins and Springfield US Armory veterans, Daniel and James Prince. Best described here by our illustrations as to condition and eye appeal, the photo is accompanied by a period printed history of the parentage and history of the twin brothers. (A ChatGPT inquiry will produce much corroborating material.)
A British soldier under Gen. Burgoyne, Daniel and James Prince's father was taken prisoner of war upon the 1777 capture of Burgoyne’s army at the Battle of Saratoga. Whin the defeated British troops were marched acrost country to Boston as prisoners of war Daniel Prince senior escaped while passing through Massachusetts an subsequently became a US citizen taking permanent residence in Williamsburg, Mass. where identical twins Daniel and James were born in 1784. Twin Daniel (photo left) entered the Springfield Armory in 1799 as an apprentices and worked his way up to serve as an arms inspector serving until 1827. He died in 1876 at the age of 92. Brother James was a farmer before entering the Springfield Armory as a laborer in 1810. In 1812 he began service as a government teamster before removing to Goshen, Mass in 1821 where he was engaged in farming. He died in 1878 at the age of 94. 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!



 

state issue Model 1860 CAVALRY SABER Offered here uncleaned and untouched just as it was set aside in a Maine farm house sometime after the Civil War, is this nice old Mod. 1860 Civil War issue cavalry saber. If it is the authenticity and charm of a carried saber that you desire, this one will fit the bill. With no maker nor government inspector marking this well used but pleasing condition saber is clearly a state issue piece. As such it is a rather scarce example as the majority of Maine cavalry seemed to carry the earlier and heavier Mod. 1840 wrist breaker though identified period photographs have offered proof that the Mod. 1860 was indeed carried by troops of both the 1st and 2nd Maine Cavalry. This example shows good evidence of period use and carrying with the usual dents and dings of field use on the scabbard and guard with its original wire wrap over well worn but solid grip leather. The blade is in excellent original condition, full length with no chips or dings in its edge. The scabbard is minus its throat insert and retains a coarse coat of period tar based paint. Both conditions are original to the period and familiar to us as long time Maine Civil War collectors. Theories as to the purpose of removing the insert tend to center on ease of draw from the scabbard and opinions on application of the flat tar based paint run from protection from rain to toning down the glint of shiny scabbards in the sun and moonlight. At any rate we would recommend leaving all as is thus preserving the hard to find as carried Maine cavalry saber. Buy with confidence! All direct sales are backed by no questions asked three day inspection with return as purchased ! Just send us a courtesy e-mail to let us know your item is being returned per these previsions and your purchase price will be refunded accordingly. Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques!!



Manufacturer: antique  

1700s early 1800s forged iron NUTCRACKER A popular utility of the colonial era, Revolutionary War period with use through the Civil War era these blacksmith forged iron crackers were reversible with a lesser gap one way than the other so as to accommodate large and smaller nuts. The cracking surfaces are textured so as to provide a firm grip. An attractive companion piece in a period setting, this pair measure about 5 ¾ inches in length and remain in nice solid , even usable condition but with a pleasant natural age patina. Don't forget to give our search feature a try for special wants. A simple key word in lower case works best. Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques !
 

original! patriotic DOUBLE EAGLE WHISKEY FLASK A nice period Double Eagle one pint patriotic whiskey flask. All in pleasing condition with no chips, flakes, cracks or condition issues, this beautiful hand blown aqua flask with its classic hinged mold marks and applied top will sit well in any earlier to mid 1800s antique grouping. 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!


 

1880s Band Shako A visually impressive addition to any 19th century band instrument or headgear grouping, this size 7 ¼ bandsman shako remains in pleasing condition while offering good evidence of age, originality and period use. Set off by its bright color, and classic bell crown design, this eye appealing shako is totally original and complete retaining its original US Army Model 1881 eagle front plate.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!
 

hand stitched wooden pegged - BROGANS Remaining in exceptional condition while offering good evidence of age and wear, these classic 19th US Mod. 1851 century style brogans offer all the Civil War era construction characteristics that experienced collectors appreciate with materials and construction methods well documented in 19th century Quartermaster records. Measuring 11 3/8 inches from heel to toe these brogans are totally hand stitched with wooden pegged soles and stacked leather heels with iron heel plates.
The most common shoe style produced in the Civil War era, such heavy work shoe / military type brogans saw hard period use, seldom surviving in any condition.

 

Carved Bone ‘YANKE’ Skull - CONFEDERATE VETERAN’s CANE A relic of the old south, this vestige of our years of searching out such treasures will best described here by our illustrations as to condition and eye appeal. This desirable Confederate vet. walking stick is composed of a natural stick topped by a stout home carved bone YANKE skull. Measuring 35 1/2 inches in length and remains in pleasing condition while offering good evidence age and authenticity. Most likely just post-Civil War, this stick is a scarce example of an understandable but very carefully expressed lingering Southern resistance in the early 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!
 

Revolutionary War era SPECTACALS & Original Iron Case This pair of rarely surviving 18th century spectacles remain in excellent all original condition with all the telltale design and construction features knowledgeable collectors appreciate. As seen in the Colonial Williamsburg collection, this pair of eyeglasses are nicely crafted of brass with double-hinged temple pieces. round rims, 'C' bridge and large circle ribbon receptacles. Retaining their original hand crafted sheet iron case with classic period jacquard coverlet style lining, this desirable pair is offered just as acquired years ago from decades of Maine attic storage. An especially desirable find for the vintage eye ware collector as well as the early American 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!


 

War of 1812 period Veteran identified - Straight Razor & Spectacle grouping All offered here as found in a period ’coffin’ type double straight razor case, is this early stub-tail razor with accompanying late 1700s early 1800s iron frame spectacles. The razor is mounted in whale baleen scales with a telltale stub tang, indicating the razor was probably manufactured in the 1820-1830s. The blade fits snugly between the scales, shows evidence of period hone wear while remaining keen with no nicks in the cutting edge. The shank is marked CLARK & HALL WARRANTED. The iron framed spectacles are fitted with classic telescoping temples and string tie loops.
Included as folded and housed with the family relics is a descendant note advising that ’ these Spectacles and the razor belonged to your great – great-grandfather Riley He was born in Virginia in 1786 Died in Indiana in 1860’. Innocuous as the information provided seems, an Ancestry.com search for a Riley born in Virginia in 1786 and passing in Indiana in 1860 produced but a single match. He was James Riley who was born Prince William County, Virginia on December 22, 1787 and died on June 22 1860 in Whitley County, Indiana. A notation posted by a descendant offers advises that James Riley moved to Fayette County , Ohio at age seventeen where he married and settled as a pioneer. Relocating to Whitley County in 1843-44 Riley purchased 40 acres of land for himself and each of his four children. The notation advises further that James Riley had been engaged in Indian skirmishes as a soldier in the War of 1812 and that his father Abraham was a veteran of the American Revolution. A neat all original personal grouping worthy of preservation.
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!


 

USN Academy - WWII Submariner - Killed In Action - GROUPING A bit of a reach from our usual time frame we could not pass on an effort to preserve this offering intact. Offered here as a group to preserve its historical integrity are the personal items and US Navy memorabilia of Annapolis graduate Lt. Commander Wilbur J. Mason. The executive officer of the US Gato class submarine Herring, Lt. Cdr. Mason was lost with all eighty-three aboard when the hard fought, five battle star, U-boat was sunk on June 1, 1944. Included in the group is Lt. Cdr. Masons inscribed officer’s sword complete with sword case and sword belt, his uniform submariner device framed for preservation by the family, a period photograph of the USS Herring with attached time appropriate campaign ribbons and the family framed portrait with military record. Best described as to condition by our illustrations, suffice it to say the sword is in exceptional shape. As with the sword we have made every effort to illustrate each component for your inspection and evaluation. All are original and as preserved by the family. A quick Google will offer an account of the extensive WWII history of the Herring and her crew. All acquired directly from the descendants, a family related Harley Davidson military service memorial leather jacket is offered elsewhere as item # 634104.
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!