original! Xanthus Smith – NAUTICAL PENCIL SKETCH Emanating from sketch books of Xanthus Smith and initially obtained from the Smith family, this pencil sketch will be of special interest to the collector / historian familiar with Smith’s iconic works such as The Monitor and the Merrimack, the USS Kearsarge battle against the Confederate ship Alabama as well as a myriad of other Civil War nautical paintings and a number of pencil drawings in the 6 ½ X 4 inch preferred size he referred to as ’small, compact, and neat’ now housed in such collections as those of the Smithsonian, U. S. Naval Historical Center, Boston Museum of Art and others. This Xanthus Smith drawing is in the classic 6 ½ x 4 size and is titled ’Ship seen through telescope’. Reminiscent of a point in his career when while serving in the Union Navy he studied encountered vessels recording their detail for later reference through drawings such as this one, Xanthus Smith’s work was met with such acclaim that he was considered America’s foremost painter of Civil War naval engagements. A good opportunity to acquire an original example of Smith’s work, this offering will frame up nicely or display well as is. 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!


 

early high end - Greek Goddess Diana the Huntress - pressed horn Powder Flask Reflective of our special personal appreciation for relics of the past that remain in nice condition while demonstrating the charm of period use and careful handling, this attractive old pressed powder horn likely began life in the late 1700s, very early 1800s with its impressive Greek Goddess, Diana the Huntress decoration, applied brass butt cap and typical cone brass spout of period pressed horn flasks. In time the clearly valued personal utility was upgraded for continued use by the application of a newly designed early mid 1800s adjustable patent top. A most appealingly decorated pressed horn powder flask with good evidence of use and handling while remaining in pleasing even operative condition, this early high end flask will sit well in any quality collection.
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original Colonial / Revolutionary War era British Tariff marked BONE DICE Measuring an impressive full 1/2 inch square, we have the advantage of being able to date the period of these hand cut bone dice back to the British Stamp Act of 1765 by virtue of the original CROWN & G. R. remaining on each of the pair. Required by British export law (Stamp Act of 1765) which mandated a tax be levied on the Colonists for the import of various goods to include all gambling and gaming items such marking demonstrated that the import tax had been paid. Imported bone dice were die stamped with the British Crown over GR (King George III). and red ink applied in the stamping. With the red ink quickly wearing away from use leaving only the faintest Crown & G R impression, identifiable examples are infrequently encountered today. This all original period pair remain in exceptional condition and yet demonstrate all the characteristics of period hand cut bone gaming pieces. Clearly hand cut with dots that are somewhat irregular and a natural age patina, this rarely found, still boldly marked, pair will be quickly recognized for what they are in your collection 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!
 

19th century raw wool - Hand Carding Combs An original pair of hand carding wool combs as were utilized in the preparation of raw wool prior to spinning. Used in pairs, this set was made by Watson Williams - Manufacturing Company, Leicester, Mass. These early carding combs have an interesting history in that a patent was granted for a machine that actually made wool cards in 1797. A textile center in the 19th century, Lancaster had several factories that made cards for textile machines, hand cards and wire for the cards. Watson - Williams Mfg. Co. was the largest manufacturer of these hand cards and also made heddle frames and shuttles. Nicely marked and totally original, this pair will display nicely with any Civil War through Indian War era spinning or knitting wool preparation, or textile 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!
 

Civil War era .31 cal. percussion revolver - FLASK Well period used but untouched and functional with solid seams, this nice old 19th century pistol flask is yet again a reflection of our personal preference for the charm of pleasing untouched condition with real history as apposed ’minty’ examples. With pleasing natural patina and good evidence of period use and handling, this Civil War vintage pistol flask measures 4 ½ inches in length including the charger, is 2 1/8 inches at its widest and will lay in nicely to fill out a pistol case or simply set with an appropriate Civil War vintage percussion 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!
 

PERSONAL STENCIL of Gettysburg wounded - 124th New York Inf.- Nurse - Thomas M. Hyatt Best described here by our illustrations as to condition and originality this Civil War personal marking stencil is that of Thomas M. Hyatt who enlisted on August 11,1862 and mustered in on September 5,1862 as a Corporal of Co. D 124th New York Volunteer Infantry. Recorded as serving as a hospital nurse from December 20th through April 1863, Hyatt was ultimately hospitalized himself for a time when he was wounded in action at Gettysburg on July 2, 1863. He ultimately returned to active service and was mustered out with his regiment on June 3,1865 at Washington D. C. 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 memorial - advertising CDV Best described here by our photograph illustrations, this Civil War era CDV features a memorial view of Abraham Lincoln and retains the original label of a Civil War era Portland, Maine ONE DOLLAR JEWELRY STORE. A period sales premium giveaway that one would like to surmise came with the purchase of a mourning cascade.
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 cut standing liberty - Watch Fob with chain Best described here by our photos as to condition and eye appeal, this vintage patriotic watch fob was hand fashioned from a standing liberty US quarter and retains its period chain mounting. A perfect companion to any period pocket watch. 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!
 

GAR collection - Gettysburg Relic - SHOE Best described here by our photo illustrations this GETTYSBURG identified battlefield pickup brogan offers lots of evidence of period wear, make do field repair and is of the buckle closure design so frequently referenced as of British origin, blockade runner supply to the Confederacy. Untouched and as set aside decades ago, worthy of note and preserved by our accompanying letter is that this battlefield relic emanated from a group of four similarly marked shoes previously on loan to the Bosworth G. A. R. Post #2 in Portland, Maine by Post member, Capt. George W. Verrill of the 17th Maine Volunteer Infantry. Set aside as companion to our personal collection grouping of Gettysburg wounded Capt. Verrill (see: www.MaineLegacy.com page 50) this offering from the group of four Bosworth Post loaned relics is made as part of our downsizing of an accumulation of over fifty years of aggressively seeking out such treasures.
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 - TOOTH EXTRACTOR A well preserved and all original tooth extractor offering the plain ‘black iron’ finish indicative of Civil War vintage manufacture rather than the later and more commonly encountered nickel plate or even more current polished stainless steel examples. A neat item to go with the Civil War era medical collection or with a personal grouping from a time when every outfit had an enterprising, entrepreneur type, trooper who would cut your hair or pull that bothersome tooth for a sum due on pay day. 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 Clarinet A bit out of our usual bailiwick as to period, this exceptionally nice looking late 1800s / very early 1900s clarinet will be of special interest to the Civil War reenactor bandsman as its nickel silver mounting in combination with an attractive, naturally aged, thermoplastic body that is frequently familiar to period collectors as hard rubber thus fitting the optics of the era. Best described as to condition and eye appeal by our photo illustrations, this clarinet is import marked M. DUPONT PARIS as is found in instruments by Couesnon, a French instrument company founded in 1827. Surviving into the very early 1900s, Couesnon was a major importer of musical instruments into the U. S. in the time 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!
 

20th Maine – Wilderness killed in action - BONE RING Another offering as a result of the paring down of our personal 60 year accumulation,(see: www.MaineLegacy.com) this little pasteboard box is labeled Made from beef bones by soldiers in the Civil War with the brown ink penned notation [I]Isaiah L. Gordon Co. F 20th Maine. Offered just as we acquired it years ago where it was buried in a Maine estate auction mixed box lot the little box holds a handmade beef bone man’s ring. Isaiah L. Gordon was a 20 year old resident of St. Albans, Maine when he enlisted and was mustered in as a Private of Co. F 20th Maine Volunteer Infantry. Recorded as a participant with the 20th a the battle of Gettysburg, Gordon was promoted to Corporal in 1863 and would rise to the rank of Sargent before he was shot and killed at the Wilderness on May 6, 1864. A neat Maine antique auction find from back in the day when such treasures could be had by the inquisitive collector, this piece will come with our letter attesting to the 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!

 

19th century tin SKIMMER Not a big deal but worthy of preservation and a good home is this seldom surviving tinned sheet iron skimmer. Equally at home with a Civil War vintage washtub where such was used to skim soap suds for reuse or in a kitchen for food preparation and serving, the lowly tin skimmer was usually cast aside when outdated and no longer in used.
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!


 

early Civil War – 6th Maine Bvt. Brig. Gen. Benj. F. Harris - gem tintype A rare offering from our personal Maine accumulation, this signed, CDV card mounted, gem tintype offers an early Civil War image of 6th Maine Infantry Bvt. Brig. General Benjamin F. Harris as Captain and commander of Co. C 6th Maine Volunteer Infantry. Harris is garbed in early full dress Volunteer Militia uniform complete with double breasted frock, epaulettes and French import Mod. 1860 shako fitted with U. S. eagle plate and the telltale numeral 6. The Potters Patent March 1865 card and informal pencil signature without rank would indicate a later Civil War mounting likely for a close friend or family member.
Benjamin Foster Harris was a 29 year old resident of Machias, Maine when he was commissioned July 15,1861 as Captain of Co. C 6th VMM. Listed in Maine at Gettysburg as a participant serving there with the 6th Maine as Lt. Colonel, Harris suffered a severe wounding at Rappahannock Station on November 7,1863 resulting in the amputation of his left leg. Discharged from the 6th for disability on July 19, 1864 he was commissioned into the Veteran Reserve Corps on September 15, 1864 where he would be raised to Brevet Brigadier General before his discharge on March 13, 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!

 

rare 7 star Civil War Confederate Secession Flag An exceptional find with its seven stars representing the Confederate states of South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana, this desirable early session flag pre-dates the April 17,1861 secession of Virginia as the eighth state to leave the Union. Printed on cotton gauze and retaining its original stick, this little 3 ¾ X 2 5/16 inch flag is of an easily displayable size and remains in excellent original condition with little fading while offering the good evidence of age and period originality that knowledgeable collectors look for. This just pre-Civil War to extremely early War pro-session flag is a tough item to find and will be of special interest to both Union and Confederate collectors as well as the pure flag 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!