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.
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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.
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Especially nice! likely Confederate issue - Aston Model 1842 Pistol Another treasure from our many years of seeking out such things, (see www.MaineLegacy.com) this exceptionally desirable Mod. 1842 emanated from the remains of Bosworth G. A. R. Post Department of Maine in Portland when the post was unceremoniously dismantled in the 1960s with much of its content scattered hither and yon. This likely early Civil War Confederate issue, Mod. 1842 remains excellent condition with good evidence of period use and carrying while offering crisp wood with pleasing natural age patina on wood and metal with crisp martial markings on both. The lock is mechanically excellent, with most of the internal parts retaining a large majority of their bright, fire-blued finish. The lock plate is marked US H. ASTON MIDDtn CONN 1852. Of special interest to the Confederate collector, the US on the US JPC P barrel marking bears obviously period peening obliteration. Per our internet research ( ChatGPT is a good start.) this particular obliteration method is attributed to pistols taken from the Alabama Mt. Vernon Arsenal. While it's difficult to find documentation on the exact obliteration process used by each of the various Confederate state arsenals, it is well established that many a captured or early war CS state arsenal US Mod. 1842 suffered this indignity by chisel crosshatching or peening.
The stock remains in very pleasing condition with sharp edges and offers two crisp script inspection cartouches on the side flat, the final ordnance acceptance stamp W.A.T. in script of William A. Thornton and just forward of that the JCB inspection stamp of Joseph C. Bragg, perhaps familiar to collectors from his inspection of Colt Dragoons. In short, this arm remains in unmolested exceptional condition throughout while offering desirable evidence of light period use and carrying.
Representing both the beginning and the end of an era in US military handguns, the Mod.1842 pistol was both the first official percussion ignition pistol to be adopted by the US military and the last of the large bore, single shot, smooth bore pistols to be issued in any quantity. The Model 1842 was .54 caliber with an 8 ½ inch long smooth bore barrel intended to use the same round ball as the US Model 1841 Mississippi Rifle. A general service arm issued to the infantry, cavalry, dragoons, and artillery, like its flintlock predecessors, the Mod. 1842 had a large bulbous capped butt specifically designed to allow the weapon’s use as a club after discharge. Primarily issued from 1845 through 1851 the Mod.1842 saw heavy use in the Mexican / American War with large inventories transferred to state arsenals between 1855 and 1859. This included thousands to southern state arsenals, especially Virginia, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. At the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 these large Southern state stores of the Mod. 1842 saw issue in these now Confederate states. This piece has been of particular interest to us over the years by virtue of the fact that it emanated from the Portland Bosworth G.A.R. collection particularly known to us as containing many a captured CS treasure. We have always felt that its extra nice condition especially for Confederate use was an indication that the piece was an early Civil War re-capture. Ultimately passed to the Maine GAR Post #2 by a veteran member for inclusion in their collection, the pistol was deassessed to a local historian upon destruction of the Bosworth Hall in the 1960s, then acquired by us to be maintained as part of our personal collection. (see: www.MaineLegacy.com for a sampling ) Now in our 80s it is time to find an appreciative new home. 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. Chilton's Fever and Ague Cure Pill Box Usually found in round birch wood boxes, this is the first and only tinned sheet iron Dr. Chilton's Fever and Ague Cure box we have encountered in our decades of seeking out such relics. Produced by Comstock & Brother and still bearing his period label, this rare tin pocket container remains in excellent original condition while offering desirable evidence of period use and originality. Produced under the company name Comstock and Brother until 1850, Comstock medicines included Indian Vegetable Elixir and Comstock’s Nerve and Bone Liniment among others. All popular mid-19th century cures. 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 Sir Walter Scott – ARMS COLLECTION PHOTO Remaining on its original 12 by 10 inch photographers mount, this 6 by 4 1/8 inch sepia photo remains in excellent condition with sharp focus and strong contrast. Titled The Armory Abbotsford it depicts the extensive antique firearms and edged weapons collection room in the home of Scottish novelist, poet and historian, Sir Walter Scott. Scott’s extensive collection of arms, armor, weapons and artefacts from Scottish and other histories is worthy of a detailed look see. 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 Confederate Veteran - Dr. Wm. H. Hubbard 2nd Florida - CDV Best described here by our photos as to content and condition, suffice it to say that per Soldiers of Florida in the Civil War and theBiographical Rosters of Florida’s Soldiers 1861-1865, William W. Hubbard enlisted at Fernandina, Florida on July 1,1861 and was mustered in as a musician Co. B 2nd Florida Infantry. Promoted to Hospital Steward on January 11,1864, he was detailed to Lake City Hospital, Fla. on March 15,1864, Date and method of discharge not given. Further information is available in the September 19,1907 Perth Amboy Evening News obituary for Dr. William Ward Hubbard as the article advises that , ’ When the civil war broke out he enlisted in the 2nd Florida Regiment. He was afterward sent to a hospital in Virginia where he served during the remaining three years. After the war he went to medical college in Virginia from which institution he graduated. He also graduated from Bellevue in New York’. The U. S. School Catalogs 1765 1935 - Alumni of Medical Schools - New York University lists William Ward Hubbard simply as ’surg. Conf. Army’ and lists his residence as Perth Amboy. Clearly a post-Civil War image, this period identified musician then hospital steward 2nd Florida, Confederate veteran is worthy of an appreciative home. 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!


 

Carved Beef Bone – miniature MESS SET Photographed here with a US quarter for size comparison, this attractive bone knife fork and spoon mess set is reminiscent of Civil War folk art carving of mess left over beef bone. The popular carving of such trinkets offered welcome relief from winter camp boredom while creating mementoes to be mailed home or for trade with mates. Especially well done while offering good evidence of period hand crafting, this little mess grouping will make a nice addition to any Civil War personal item 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!


 

Gettysburg Battlefield Souvenir This Gettysburg souvenir book containing a full complement of twenty chromolithograph images on heavy linen embossed post card like stock as one would expect of mid through third quarter 1900s. The images sport a string binding and cedar covers of battlefield recovered wood. Souvenir knickknacks of battlefield cut cedar have long since passed in the local gift shops and have now become a collectable in and of themselves as so many visiting tourists and earlier day aging Civil War veterans wanted something of the battlefield to take home. (use our search feature to see items 4515 and 2000) The front cover (2 7/8 X 3 ¾ inches) features inset photos of battle commanders Meade and Lee, with Gettysburg, PA July 1, 2, 3, 1863 in the lower right corner. Images include such well known battlefield locations as the Pennsylvania State Memorial, Spangler's Spring, Little Round Top and the Warren Monument, Hancock Avenue Looking South, Alabama Memorial, North Carolina Memorial, Statutes of Generals Buford and Reynolds and Hall's Maine Battery, New York Memorial and National Cemetery, Lincoln Speech Memorial, Eternal Light Peace Monument, General Meade's Headquarters, General Lee's Headquarters, US National Cemetery, Minnesota Monument, Jennie Wade House, Big Round Top From The Valley Of Death, Monument of Father Corby - Chaplain of the New York Irish Brigade and Virginia State Memorial. This all original Gettysburg Battlefield souvenir remains complete and in nice condition yet offers good evidence of age. 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 !


 

c. 1864 60th New York Infantry - Civil War Regimental History - handbill This original handbill measures approximately 6 X 9 5/8 inches and while showing good age as evidence of period originality remains in fine condition. Touting the Newly Published 1864 History of the SIXTIETH REGIMENT NEW YORK STATE VOLUNTEERS by Regimental Chaplain Richard Eddy, this flyer is blank on the back save a boldly printed statement by New York book dealer Samuel A. Roberts regarding the Military ana Political qualifications of Major General George B. McClellan
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rarely surviving! earlier through mid-1800s - Southern weight DUSTER CLOAK Measuring approximately 58 inches from shoulder to bottom hem, this wonderful old duster will best described here by our illustrations as to condition and eye appeal. This light weight polished cotton cloak is a desirable, seldom surviving example of the so called duster protective travel covering. With use from as early as about 1812 through the mid-19th century, the duster, referred to as a carrack or garrack in its earliest form, was most frequently worn by better dressed coachmen and horsemen with use by typically higher ranking military officers as protection from travel dust and road dirt. This example will date to the Civil War and unlike more commonly utilized heavier examples was fabricated of light weight polished cotton fabric indicative to use in warmer climate. It remains in most pleasing condition with desirable evidence of age and originality, period construction and use while remailing in pleasing original condition. No seam splits, tears or other issues beyond age and period use. While not standard military issue, variations of the duster coat are well documented in portraits and period illustrations. 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!
 

1st Maine Cavalry Delano Brothers – 6th plate TINTYPE A rare offering from our decades of collecting Manie images, this early Civil War 6th plate tintype of brothers Charles R. & George M. Delano emanated from a small group of Maine Averall family tintypes. As to provenance, each photo in the group bore an early 1900’s gummed label identification authored by Ira Dunn Averill (1871-1933) the son of Benjamin Dunn Averill and William S. Averill both of the 1st Maine Heavy Artillery. (see our items: 63521 & 63523 ) While specifically how the Delano brothers image was maintained in the Averill family group will require some additional research, we did find that Averill family member Frank W. Averill served in the 1st Maine Cavalry with the Delano brothers. Charles and George Delano of Turner, Maine entered Civil War service together when they were mustered in on October 31,1861 as Privates of Co. G 1st Maine Cavalry. Charles Delano would be killed in action with the circumstances of his death and burial recounted in detail on pages 258 & 259 of Tobie’s, History of the First Maine Cavalry, 1861–1865. available in full at Archive.org . (For a full article and more formal later Civil War image of Charles Delano, Google: The Death and Burial of Private Charles R. Delano of the 1st Maine Cavalry – Iron Brigader 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!