period 1st Maine Cavalry MEMORIAL ESCUTCHEON Measuring approximately 15 ¼ X 20 1/2 this attractive Civil War vintage memorial is in memory of Pvt. Charles F. Stuart, Co. A or the hard fought 1st Maine Cavalry. Popular in the Civil War period, these colorful memorials were uniquely created from a printed form, with hand painted application of unit insignia and regimental identification, the soldier’s name, occasionally a tipped on portrait, and battle history . This example offers the subject’s participation with his Co. A 1st Maine Cavalry at the battles of Cedar Mountain, 2nd Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam and Fredericksburg with a record of his death at Finley Army Hospital in 1863 and period photo portrait. Best appreciated here by our illustrations, this desirable escutcheon offers good evidence of age and period originality while remaining bright, solid in form and will frame up to display nicely.
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c. late 1830s / early 1860s Red – White & Blue CAMPHENE PARADE LANTERN Mounted on its musket shaped oak parade staff and remaining in outstanding original condition, this wonderful old parade lantern retains its original camphene burner with patriotic red, white and blue glass panels. (With its frost etched glass panel, this offering mirrors the design and color configuration of a Lincoln / Hamlin red, white and blue parade lantern documented in the Smithsonian National Museum collection.) Retaining its original burner still fitted with the telltale extra length small diameter, tapered brass burner tubes specifically designed to handle the clean burning and especially bright but volatile camphene fuel. Popular in the 1850s with the use of camphene (a mixture of turpentine and alcohol) as a lighting fuel waning in the early 1860s, this lantern easily dated in the Civil War period. Measuring approximately 4 feet, 9 inches in overall length mounted on its oak musket staff, the 5 inch square sheet iron lantern body measures about 11 ¼ inches in height from base to the top of its brass chimney cap. An outstanding piece of Civil War vintage patriotic / political Americana, this rare parade lantern will be of special interest to the Lincoln and Wide Awake enthusiasts as well as Civil War historians.
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!

 

Pat. 1858 PRESERVE JAR An attractive old preserve jar in a nice size (7" high) and complete with the original old tinned iron screw top with porcelain insert. All in nice condition, this jar is boldly marked MASON’S PATENT, NOV. 30th , 1858. How often have we seen period references of these jars filled with goodies having been shipped to a soldier at the seat of War? (usually in the form of a letter home from an unfortunate troop who’s jar was broken in shipment.) A nice original Civil War personal accessory or country kitchen 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!


 

mid to later 1800s gutta-percha WHISTLE This scarce mid to later 19th century figured gutta-percha whistle is styled in the classic configuration of bone or cast pewter examples of the period and remains in fine original condition. Made of the figured gutta-percha as was used in the manufacture of the period patented hip-flasks but in a color variation from the usual orange, this is the only example in this attractive cream and chocolate coloration we have ever encountered. A rare and very attractive variation, this whistle will make a nice companion piece in any Civil War smalls of 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!



 

Civil War era HARD RUBBER TRAVELING INK This attractive little traveling ink measures approximately 1 inch in diameter, stands about 1 7/8 inch high and remains in an eye appealing as found and untouched condition just as it came out after decades of storage. The body and original screw cap offer that rich chocolate patina that is so desirous in this material and comes only with good honest age. A neat piece for inclusion in any Civil War vintage grouping, writing instrument enthusiast. (see: India-Rubber & Gutta-Percha In The Civil War Era by Mike Woshner ) 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 !!


 

Lord collection Maryland Militia SHAKO HAT DEVICE Illustrated here with a quarter as size comparison, our photos should do best to describe this nice antique militia plate except to advise that this specific piece emanated from the collection of Dr. Francis Lord and is published Vol. II p. 89 of his classic reference Lord’s CIVIL WAR COLLECTORS ENCYCLOPEDIA. We acquired this piece several years ago when we were fortunate enough to purchase several groupings from the personal collection of our longtime friend, Dr. Francis Lord. 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, Francis authored the widely known, multi volume, pioneer reference, Lord’s CIVIL WAR COLLECTORS ENCYCLOPEDIA. While a lot of detailed knowledge has been gained as the interest and value of Civil War collectables increased so dramatically over the years, Dr. Lord’s first and second volumes in particular and his Civil War Sutlers & Their Wares continue to offer valuable and reliable reference to Civil War collectors. (Use Lord in our search feature to find other Lord collection items.) Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques!
 

Rarely seen! Horstman & Sons 1851 - U S Army UNIFORM BOOK Published by William H. Hortsmann and Sons, Philadelphia, this 1851 folio (11 ¾ X 14 7/8 x ½ inch thick) 1st edition of 1851 is Illustrated from the Original Text and Drawings in the War Department. Drawn by G. C. Humpries. Nine pages of text outline and describe the new (1851) uniform and dress code for artillery, infantry, riflemen, insignia, swords, and dragoons; officers and enlisted. Detailed illustrations cover all manner of dress to include buttons, swords and sashes as well as horse furniture for General Officers and the Cavalry Corps. This highly collectable volume offers seven finely colored plates from chromolithograph printing and four additional original hand colored plates. Thirteen additional lithographic line drawing plates show uniform details. The volume is rebound with new boards and black library covering, new brown end papers and retaining its original gold embossed UNIFORM AND DRESS OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY on the front board. All else original and as published with good evidence of age, originality and moderate period use but no tears, repairs or objectionable condition issues. An outstanding item for the deep dish Civil War enthusiast this piece has been in our own library for over thirty years. 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!

 

Victorian era - LADY'S FAN Not like the usual find of a very delicate, marginal condition, lady's fan of the period, this example was clearly intended for practical use while offering a timely fashion statement. It remains in fine durable condition and is, after decades of attic storage, ready for display with other period lady's finery or even for use and carrying should the lady desire. Sturdily and yet attractively and delicately made with stained hardwood slats and that classic coarsely woven brown linen that connoisseurs of period textile will recognize, this fan remains in fine original condition in every respect. No splits tears or repairs! The piece measures just over 13 inches in length when folded. A common fashion statement and practical ladies utility of the Civil War period. A fine all original accessory. 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!
 

mid 19th century E. S. CURTIS - MASTER INK This neat looking Civil War vintage stoneware master ink is approximately 2.25 inches in diameter and stands about 5.5 inches high. It remains in excellent condition with no cracks or damage and retains all of its’ original glaze. This master ink is nicely maker marked GEORGE SKEY – WILNECOTE – TAMWORTH. George Skey established his stoneware works in Tamworth in 1860 and quickly became a world leader in the manufacture of all manner of stoneware containers. His stoneware beer bottles will offer Civil War collectors the most prevalent example of his product. Of special interest is the period label SUPERIOR BLACK INK PREPARED BY E. S. CURTIS, BOSTON. The Society of Inkwell Collectors advises that E. S. Curtis appears in historical directories for the years 1847-1848 and made powdered ink only. Its customers were given instructions for mixing and filling stoneware and glass containers. E. S. Curtis also supplied labels to be applied to their customers' bottles. 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!
 

turn of the century – Byfield Snuff Co. - Pearson's Red Top Snuff - LABEL A bit late for our usual fare but a nice piece for the tobacciana collector, this as-new condition, period stock label will make a nice companion collectable in any number of categories without spending a bunch of money. Finally closed in the mid-1980s, the Byfield Snuff Co. was the oldest and perhaps the last water powered snuff mill in the country. The Pearson manufacturing legacy began in 1647 when John Pearson built the first fulling mill in the country. The founder was followed by ten generations of Pearson’s in operation of the Byfield Snuff Co. in Byfield, Massachusetts. This crimson label is printed on period typical thin stock and will date to the company turn of the century roll-out of PEARSON’S – RED TOP SNUFF 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 !


 

Civil War era LOUSE COMB BOX This little pasteboard box measures approximately 3 X 7/8 X 7/8" and remains in fine original and untouched condition after decades of attic trunk storage. The original label identifies the original content as 1 DOZEN SUPERIOR METALLIC COMBS. Such little steel combs were offered as moustache combs and with their durability and fine teeth were pressed into service to eradicate pesky lice in hair and beard. Many a country trooper who had never encountered such critters found that the presence of body lice was a common challenge when large numbers of men marched and camped together in warm climate. Little fine toothed combs of hard maple wood or steel, if you could afford better, seemed the best way to separate pest from host and were a popularly requested item from home. A neat Civil War personal item display item. please note: ALL ITEMS ARE CURRENT & AVAILABLE UNLESS MARKED SOLD!! If you are new to our catalog and wish additional ordering information or just to learn who we are, please check out our home page. Thanks for visiting our catalog!!
Manufacturer: American antique  

Civil War Punch Cartoon – THE BLACK CONSCRIPTION All original and in nice frameable condition is this 8 5/16" X 10 ¾" Sept. 26, 1863 dated Punch satirical cartoon. Titled The Black Conscription with the cutting sub caption, When Black meets Black then comes the end (?) of war, this pro Confederacy political cartoon chides Lincoln’s plan to utilize African Americans in the Union cause and reflects an all too common position by citizens on both sides that militarized Blacks would be particularly ineffective should they face each other Black against Black. A highly collectable piece of Americana. please note: ALL ITEMS ARE CURRENT & AVAILABLE UNLESS MARKED SOLD!! If you are new to our catalog and wish additional ordering information or just to learn who we are, please check out our home page. Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques!!

Manufacturer: Punch 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!!




 

exceptionally nice mid 1800s CARRIAGE LAMP pair This exceptional pair of carriage lamps show little if any evidence of use while offering unquestionable age and originality both in condition and unmistakable mid 19th century tinsmith construction of the matching lantern bodies. Each lamp measures approximately 12 inches in height with heavy, approximately ¼ inch thick, beveled glass lenses measuring 3 7/16 X 3 7/8 inches each. Outer surfaces are of black enamel with naturally patinated brass trim and chimney. Internal reflector surfaces are bright nickel silver plate with plated burner marked E. MILLER & Co. Meriden, Conn. [ Edward Miller began manufacturing and selling camphene and lantern fluid burners in Meriden, Connecticut in the 1840's. By the 1860’s E. Miller & Co. had become a successful manufacturer and marketer in the kerosene lamp and lamp burner business with the latter being merchandized to private lighting makers. In 1866 Miller reorganized under the name Edward Miller & Co. or E M & Co. ] Easily displayed utilizing original mounting sockets, this exceptional matching pair of carriage lamps remain complete and in exceptional condition with pleasing 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 - Lady Liberty PATRIOTIC ENVELOPE All the rage among the loyal populous of the Civil War era, the patriotic cover took many forms from a colorful national motif to the cruelest satirical proclamations punctuated with gaudily scrawled illustrations. While the market price varies with some of the rarer and more interesting examples reaching higher prices, many remain in a most affordable range an offer a fun collecting (and investment) opportunity for the Civil War enthusiast. This example is in nice unused condition with plenty of evidence of age and originality but with no tears or repairs. An attractive beginning or addition for the ephemera collection or original companion piece to display with any Civil War grouping. please note: ALL ITEMS ARE CURRENT & AVAILABLE UNLESS MARKED SOLD!!. If you are new to our catalog and wish additional information or just to learn who we are, please check out our home page. Thanks for visiting our catalog!!

Manufacturer: American antique