1872 Pattern Cavalry SERGEANT CHEVRONS A nice pair of period of the pattern of 1872 U. S. Cavalry Sgt. stripes. All original and in ‘minty’ condition after decades of storage, this pair should not be confused with the later issue and outright reproductions that are more frequently seen. With their sturdy yellow wool and higher quality chain stitch trim, these original issue cavalry stripes will add quality and color to any Indian Wars era or U.S. insignia grouping. A relatively common item only a few years ago, real examples are now difficult to find. 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 RI Cavalry troop - Chestnut Hill Army Hospital, Philadelphia \ martial law notation Best described here by our photos as to eye appeal and condition, this period 8 X 10 inch Chestnut Hill U. S. Army General Hospital print remains in its period frame with the original notation of Pvt. Lewis E. Gove 1st Rohd Island Cavalry / 16th Veteran Reserve Corps on the print back. Of significance to the Civil War collector / historian will be Lewis Gove’s reference to his brother of the late June 1863 movement of Lee’s Confederate Army and the resulting imposition of martial law in Philadelphia. Unknown to all at the time would be that such incursion into the area was a precursor to the battle of Gettysburg, Gove pens the following June 30,1863 notation to Brother Clinton:
I send you a picture of our Hospital. Thought you would like to see how it looked. Have not rec a letters from you just here. Expect one to morrow. The Rebs are Close in to us. great excitement in Philadelphia. We all thought the Rebs Was in the City yesterday. All Business stopped streets full of Men & Women, to late In the Day. Philadelphia is under Marchal Law Yours Truly Lewis E. Gove

Per ’North American Family Histories’ New Hampshire born Lewis Edwin Gove (2/13/1825 – 9/29/1899) was for some time a farmer in Rhode Island who enlisted and was mustered in on Sept. 23,1862 as Pvt. Co. I, New Hampshire battalion, 1st New England Cavalry. He transferred to Co. C 16th Independent Cavalry Sept. 2,1863. Ultimately promoted to Corporal, Gove was discharged July6, 1865. 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 CUP A seen in so many period images this honest old Civil War vintage cup stands approximately 4 3/8 X 3 inches in diameter at its base. Entirely original, this old utility was hand crafted of tinned sheet iron with led soldered seams and remains in exceptional condition while offering desirable evidence of age and originality. 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 mother of pearl – Dipping Pen Set here with a period quarter for size comparison, this attractive Civil War vintage dipping pen measures 6 inches in length to include its original tapered shank nib. All original and in fine condition this eye catching ink pen will make a nice addition laid out with a period document, letter, journal or simply displayed with a period ink stand or desk. 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!
 

HARD RUBBER WALKING STICK One always wonders; is it a cane or is it a walking stick? Actually what is the difference? One of Janet’s relatives was Chaplain of the House of Representatives before the outbreak of the Civil War. I imagine he carried a walking stick. My great grandfather, on the other hand was a simple country blacksmith. He was an enlisted troop in the 17th Maine. I expect he had a cane in his elder years. ( Sorry, I seldom allow myself such wanderings here.) Any way this neat old hard rubber stick is a classic as is sometimes seen with the familiar old Goodyear 1850s patent markings. Though the frequently faint patent markings have been long since worn away on this example, students of Civil War period hard rubber collectables will appreciate its natural age and pleasing evidence of period use and carrying while remaining in excellent condition. (for an informative references see: India-Rubber & Gutta-Percha In The Civil War Era by Mike Woshner )
Manufacturer: American antique  

Contemporary Historical Sketch – by a soldier of Co. A 1st N. H. Heavy Beat up with loose and missing pages but complete in so far as the ten pages presenting Corporal Hevekiah E. Hadlock’s fascinating A Sketch of Co. A 1st N. H. H. A.. The historic period brown ink sketch begins in the spring of 1863 with the authorization of Charles H. Lang (earlier Lt. Col 17th N. H. Vols.) to raise an independent company of Heavy Artillery for the garrisoning of Fort Constitution, Portsmouth Harbor. Hadlock offers an interesting inside account of life and military duty at Ft. Constitution from the earliest days of the outfit when it consisted of merely forty enlisted men and the time in July when the draft was ordered resulting in the Company quickly filling its manning to the required one-hundred-forty enlisted. The author states as most everyone supposed that our company would not leave the state and fearing the draft the recruits then came in in droves. Corporal Hadlock describes early life at Ft. Constitution as passing pleasantly along and the boys had a very easy time, fishing, catching lobsters &c was the general amusement while not on duty. When winter came though such leisure was replaced with the unloading of coal, wood and commissary stores from schooners. As the snow came on parties were detailed for shoveling snow and keeping the Fort and yard clear. . In the last days of April 1864 things would change for the New Hampshire natives relegated to the protection of Portsmouth Harbor. Relieved of duty here by State Militia the Co. was ordered to Washington. Corp. Hadlock leaves us with details of Battery assignments at Ft. Slocum then movement up the Potomac for assignment about three quarters of a mile from Georgetown overlooking the City. Despite his description of this place as pleasantly situated Hadlock tells the reader that the weather at this time was extremely hot and large details were made out each day for cutting trees and brush which caused a general growling throughout the camp. It was about July 8th, that Hadlock’s group was moved to Fort Bauard, a timber and earthwork fort constructed northwest of Tenleytown in the District of Columbia. It was at this place that the New Hampshire Corporal pens the meat of his record as he offers the reader a common soldiers view of the Union defeat of Confederate forces in their July 1864 assault on the Capital City . Here we will offer Corporal Handcock’s own words as he writes: about this time they was expecting the Johnies up to make them a call and they was not disappointed on the 10th of July in the afternoon Gen Early made his appearance on the Rockville Turnpike with about thirty thousand men, this caused great excitement for we had a mere handful of men and the most of those were green militia being one hundred days men from Ohio and the prospect of saving Washington was rather slim but they made no attack that night but the next morning the 11th they began quite a smart skirmish in front , our Fort Bayard and the Rebels gained a quite a commanding piece of ground in front of our Fort and placed a light Battery but they did not have any effect on the fort and for some reason unknown to us did not seem anxious to approach any nearer but held their grounds against our line all that day and night. The morning of the 12 commenced with a very smart skirmish the whole length of the line but about noon the Rebels fell back some distance and as our army was small and fearing that they was up to some trap we did not follow them and it was well that we did not for the next day about noon they were seen returning with reinforcements the Rebel Gen Breckenridge had come up with 40,000 more men making 70,000 in all. Washington was then seemingly in their hands and the long coveted prize was then secured. It is here that our writer offers a bit of political insight as he comments on feelings toward the former Vice President of the United States turned Confederate General. Breckenridge was again to have the chance to press the hands of his Copperhead friends that had wished so much to see him and that has elected him Vice President. On came this gallant band eager to clasp their serpent like fangs into and destroy that starry banner that had protected them in their infancy and just as they were ready to send up their shouts of victory they met with a banner that struck a panic to their whole army. Here Corporal Hadlock sets down his personal exuberance for the turning of the Confederate onslaught the roll of his Corps in accomplishing that. For the sixth corps was there,says he! The most dreaded by Breckenridge of any corps in the Union army but the engagement was a hard one for they had much the larger numbers but nevertheless at ten o'clock they were driven back from the lines with a great loss of men, on the morning of the 14th not a living rebel was to be seen and the sixth corps was on their track for Rockville. After this action Hadlock continues to record the movements of his unit to include promotion of its officers until their return to Fort Constitution and the defense of Portsmouth Harbor on the 30th day of November 1864. A nice item for the New Hampshire collector, this all original and complete soldiers folio will come with a 1987 letter on the letterhead and in the hand of Francis Lord as he responds to a research inquiry on Corporal Hadlock account to include Dr. Lord’s notations on the Corporal’s military record. Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques!!




 

ultra rare! c. 1888 U.S. MARINE Corps. – UNIFORM JACKET Best described here by our photo illustrations, this Marine Corps uniform jacket remains in pleasing condition while showing good evidence of age and originality. A configuration that we have been unable to reference in text or by example, this wool uniform jacket sports eight HORSTMAN PHILADELPHIA back marked Marine Corps two piece buttons (c.1875-1902). The right shoulder sleeve lining bears the period stamping ‘V. H., N. Y. / Style (120) Size (38) Stock (34)’over QUARTERMASTERS DEPT. / U. S. Marine Corps / 1887-1888 markings. The padded lining offers a period identification to ‘J. McManus’. Worthy of additional research, we have been unable to pinpoint the ‘V. H., N. Y.’ marking and wonder if the link to New York over the Marine QM marking is a link to ultimate transfer of this little used even unissued design uniform jacket from U. S. Marine Corps stores to the then newly created New York Naval Militia which encompassed the 1st Marine Corps Reserve Company ? The New York Naval Militia (NYNM) was first created in 1889 and was formally mustered into state service as the First Battalion, Naval Reserve, on 23 June 1891. Following the sinking of the USS Maine in February 1898, the Navy Department called up Naval Militia volunteers for duty in the Federal Auxiliary Naval Force. The NYNM sent five divisions of its 1st Battalion to fight in the Spanish-American War. With clear speculation as to the origin and specific history of this jacket, it was unquestionably included in U. S. Marine Corps Quartermasters stores in the late 19th century and the scarcity of reference by text or by form can only attest to its rarity. A desirable companion to any Marine Corps or general U. S. military uniform collection.
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 HAT CORD This impressive Civil War era netted acorn hat cord is of the less common ‘extra heavy’ form and is finely woven of black silk and gold bullion thread. With good evidence of age, originality and size, (the acorns are a full 1 ½" long with caps of ¾" diameter) this cord will go well on any period slouch hat or will display well with period military headgear or insignia. 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!


 

18th early 19th century traveling INKWELL / QUILL HOLDER A desirable find for sure, this early traveling inkwell with writing quill holder measures approximately 7 3/8 inches in length and was hand fashioned in copper with a lidded inkwell and attached quill carrier. Offered here untouched and completely period original with a deep natural age patina, the inkwell still holds its period filling of once ink soaked cotton. (Note that ink soaked cotton as opposed to totally fluid ink was utilized in such sets to minimize spillage in travel.) With good evidence of period construction, age and period use while remaining in pleasing condition, this rarely seen 18th early 19th century writing set will make a special addition to any quality period collection.
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!


 

set of 5 - hand crafted NICKEL BUTTONS We have a small number of old hand crafted buttons each fashioned from a U. S. buffalo nickel and are offering them here priced as a set of 5 with the option of purchasing additional examples individually at $12.50 each if more are needed to fill a special need. Each original button was struck to form a slight crown, then polished with a lead solder copper staple applied to the back. Really nice looking with that classic Native American profile, these buttons show good evidence of age and handcrafting. A nice item for the general button collector and suitable for use.
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!


 

Fireman Speaking Trumpet Since the beginning of organized firefighting, it became obvious that command communication was needed to assist those fighting fires, salvaging goods and preventing the extension of fires. As such the speaking trumpet was in use for many years as a communication tool and after becoming obsolete, its image is still used as a universal identifier of firefighting with rarely existing original trumpets considered as key firefighting collectable. This example measures 16 3/4 inches in length, is 6 ¼ inches across the mouth and sports a bold hook & ladder fire department logo. Remaining in excellent original condition, nicely burnished with good internal evidence of age and later 1800s, early 1900s manufacturing methods, this speaking trumpet will show well in any firefighting 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!


 

COLT’S PATENT marked - Root or 49 Pocket - Revolver Flask Reflective of our personal preference for the charm of untouched real history, period used and pleasing condition over period unused relics this little (4 ½ in length including the charger by 2 inches wide at the base) pistol flask with it’s federal eagle motif, crossed pistols and especially desirable COLT’S PATENT E PLURIBUS UNUM nomenclature will rest well in any quality Civil War grouping. An untouched natural patina combined with it’s period used but not abused originality will fit exceptionally well beside any Colt Root or Civil War, Colt’s Pat. 1849, .31 caliber Pocket Revolver and will make a welcome addition to a cased revolver. 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 Abraham Lincoln & family CDV photograph Best described here by our photograph illustrations, this Civil War era CDV features a view of Abraham Lincoln with Mary and their two sons Robert Tod and Tad Lincoln. 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 hand crafted - SHOE HORN While a classic personal item of the earlier through 18th century and into the mid to later 1800s, the hand crafted bovine shoe horn as found in nearly every period sock drawer of travel valise, was in time replaced and cast away with few period examples of the everyday utility surviving. Not a big deal but worthy of preservation, this original, period example will lay nicely in any earlier through Civil War era personal 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!

 

North Pacific Coast INDIAN WAR VETERANS GRAND ENCAMPMENT - RIBBON Best described here by our photo illustration this rarely encountered Indian War Veterans encampment ribbon remains in pleasing condition, solid and intact with no weak spots or separations, while offering good evidence of age and originality. Measuring 9 by 2 inches wide, the ribbons nomenclature is Indian War Veterans - North Pacific Coast – ANNUAL RUNION JUNE 18, 1907. A controversial organization even in the period of its existence, the area war period from the early 1840’s to 1879 was filled with danger and death from the warring tribes and is replete with the struggles and blame for hostilities did not always rest with the Indians. An extensive article from the Oregon Historical Quarterly entitled Pioneer Problems / ‘Wanton Murder’, Indian War Veterans, and Oregon’s Violent History Issued in limited quantity in the period of the organization, these ribbons are seldom encountered today. 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!