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3938 |
natural finish cedar wood – GRAPHITE PENCILS
How frequently have you found a crudely jack-knife sharpened stub of an old red cedar and graphite pencil in among other mid to later 1800s every day trinkets? Well we have a small number of as new condition pencils fashioned from unfinished red cedar wood and natural graphite and are offering them individually priced for the collector or re-enactor who would like one to use or lay in with other period writing or personal material. The graphite is of inconsistent size and frequently out of center as evidence of period construction but the pencils are un-sharpened and remain in fine condition after decades of storage. Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques ! |
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3963 |
original Civil War era Scotch Snuff label by Sweetser Brothers, Boston
Measuring approximately 3 ½ X 4 ¾ this classic old snuff label will be familiar to tobacciana collectors as dating to the 1840s however it is our opinion that this example, though graphically essentially the same as the earlier one, dates in the Civil War era. (see: 1862 Boston Directory) All in excellent condition and yet with good evidence of age and originality, this example has never been applied and remains untrimmed just as it was originally printed and supplied to Sweetser Bros. An especially nice item for the Civil War era tobacco enthusiast.
ALL ITEMS ARE CURRENT & AVAILABLE UNLESS MARKED SOLD!! Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques!!
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4006 |
Dr. A. O. Hamilton - Whale Oil LANTERN
We will let our photos do the talking on this offering except to advise that it is entirely original and as nice as it looks with no cracks or condition issues. Dr. Albinus Otis Hamilton war born in Chatham, Mass. in 1833. He was a graduate of Harvard Medical School and had a practice in East Boston. He died in 1894. A beautiful 19th century lighting device, this classic oil lantern with its etched globe will be of special interest to antique medical collectors and will set in nicely with any quality period grouping. 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 !
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4030 |
Civil War vintage Fish Monger TRADE CARDS
This collection of four Civil War vintage trade cards (see period Business Directories) will be best described by our illustrations except to advise that they are plain on the back and each remains in fine, original condition. Not a big deal but when you think of it, a rare find reflecting common life and commerce in Civil War era America. 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 !
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4029 |
hand wrought COOKING SKEWER
This attractive hand wrought cooking skewer was fashioned from 1/8 inch iron stock and measures approximately 14 ¼ inches long. A classic cooking utensil from the open hearth kitchen of the colonial era with use over open camp fires through the Civil War era; this extra nice example was picked out of an accumulation of hand wrought utensils dating in the earlier to mid 19th century. We emphasize this origin here because of the exceptional condition of this example. 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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4046 |
19th century handcrafted - TIN FUNNEL CAKE MAKER
This neat early funnel cake maker measures approximately 6 1/2 inches in diameter at its mouth, is about 7 1/2 inches deep and has a 5 1/2 inch grip with a finger loop on the opposite edge. It is tinsmithmade from tinned sheet iron with lead soldered seams all commensurate with construction as early as the mid 1800s. While food historians remind us that recipes often predate their current popular names, they generally agree the idea of funnel cakes as we know them today first came into being in Northern Europe sometime before the term funnel cake became the common name for the sweetened fried dough confection . While modern dictionaries and food references generally place the term 'funnel cakes' in the 20th century, culinary evidence confirms the recipe is much older. In this country the sweetened fried dough confection became a popular item around the holidays and were a special favorite at street fairs and fundraisers. All in pleasing original condition, this funnel cake maker is suitable for use and will fit well as a country kitchen accessory or in a Civil War era cooking or sanitary fair grouping. ALL ITEMS ARE CURRENT & AVAILABLE UNLESS MARKED SOLD!! Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques ! |
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4039 |
mid 1800s MINIATURE TIN PITCHER
Hand fashioned from tinned sheet iron with led solder lap seams indicative of the earlier to mid 19th century, in is difficult to identify the intended purpose of this little tin pitcher ( Illustrated here with a Civil War vintage quarter for size comparison. ) but it is likely that it was either intended as a journeyman test piece ( a project assigned to demonstrate the level of the makers skill), or a traveling tinker’s sales sample. A neat item remaining in excellent original condition. 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 !
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4096 |
earlier to mid-1800s S. Carolina, Barrier Islands – Black Americana BEADED BAG
Emitting from a costal North Carolina old South estate with a history of having emanated from a Barrier Island plantation, the construction, material and pattern design of this desirable beaded bag all offer clear evidence of a pre-Civil War slave origin.
Our illustrations will do best to describe this wonderful vintage glass beaded bag, adding only that it measures approximately 6 1/2 X 7 1/4 inches including the fringe with pattern on both sides, cotton draw string and a silk lining. The bag is entirely original with good evidence of age and period use. The glass beaded body and fringe remain solid and the original beige silk lining remains intact but with some splitting and tenderness. Our illustrations will do best to describe this wonderful vintage glass beaded bag, adding only that it measures approximately 6 1/2 X 7 1/4 inches including the fringe with pattern on both sides, cotton draw string and a silk lining. The bag is entirely original with good evidence of age and period use. The glass beaded body and fringe remain solid and the original beige silk lining remains intact but with some splitting and tenderness.
Acquired some years ago and set aside in our personal accumulation as ,though out of our personal collection area, an especially desirable article of Americana, we have enjoyed this piece but now it is time make it available as we clear away some of the fruits of our years of search. (You may enjoy viewing a small portion our collection at MaineLegacy.com )
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.
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4111 |
Bosworth G. A. R. Post – Department of Maine - Civil War Vet’s Ribbon
Our illustrations will do best to describe this Civil War veteran GAR ribbon. With the exception of some discoloration at the top this beautiful old silk ribbon remains bright in color with crisp gold lettering and applied flag. The material remains strong with no separations or creases. Don't forget to give our search feature a try for special wants. A simple key word in lower case |
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4124 |
c. 1864 Harriet Beecher Stowe PHOTOGRAPH
A rarely seen circa 1864 photograph of American author Harriet Beecher Stowe. This unusual view of the author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin appears to have been trimmed in the period from a group photograph and mounted on a sheet of bond writing paper. We have an identical example in our personal collection which represents the only other such view we have seen. They were acquired as a pair and though separately mounted seemed to be an attempt at an oversized stereopticon application. The photograph measures approximately 3 7/8 X 4 ¾ inches on a 4 5/8 X 6 ½ inch mount. The photographer is not identified. 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 !!
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4066 |
c.1857 Franklin House, Kingston, N. H. Militia - GRAND LEVEE TICKET
Illustrated here with a quarter for size comparison is an admission ticket to a Feb. 28, 1857 militia social function held at the Franklin House, Kingston, New Hampshire. Printed on a thin sheet of bond the ticket has folds and evidence of period carrying but is sound. Must have been quite a function as admission is given as $1.00. Quite an amount for 1857! Not a big deal but a nice item for the New England militia enthusiast. ALL ITEMS ARE CURRENT & AVAILABLE UNLESS MARKED SOLD!! Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques !
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4059 |
early American SERVING SPOON
The plain eye appeal of this wonderful crudely hand carved old serving spoon will speak best for this offering except to advise the viewer that the old rock maple utility measures approximately 14 inches in length and was found in the beams of a Maine roadhouse active from the mid 18th century through the mid 1800’s. A nice country kitchen or camp item dating from the American Revolution through the Civil War. Such pure gems of a simple country past are an advantage of years of seeking out such treasures here in Maine. 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 !
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4191 |
Patent 1856 MECHANICAL APPLE PEELER
Referred to in the period as an apple parer, this neat early cast iron mechanical kitchen appliance is boldly marked PATENTED JUNE 17 & DEC. 16, 1856 / TURN TABLE APPLE PARER / MFG. BY LOCKEY & HOWLAND. Though it is missing a tooth in the fly gear (see illustration) the piece seems to be totally functional and will make a nice display piece for the enthusiast of Civil War era mechanical items. 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 !
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4135 |
Antique – Clay MARBLES
This collection of 32 period clay marbles will make a neat little companion grouping in a Civil War vintage gaming or personal item display. The correct number for the classic marble board game that was so favored by one Union general that it became known as the Gen. Grant Game, these all original and period clay marbles will display well by themselves or to place on an original game board. Rich color and good evidence of period originality. (illustrated here with a U. S. quarter for size comparison) Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques !
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4100 |
Civil War vintage Lamson & Goodnow MESS KNIFE
We have a small number of nicely marked LAMSON & GOODNOW MFG. Co. mess knives and are pricing them individually for the collector who would like one for use as a re-enactor or for a companion piece with other original items of the Civil War era. A nice size measuring over 10 inches in length with riveted natural bone grips on a tapered shank as one would expect of earlier to mid 1800s construction. Civil War arms collectors will recognize Lamson & Goodnow in association with Lamson, Goodnow & Yale who manufactured rifled muskets for the Union. With good evidence of age and originality with classic period construction in combination the maker will set this knife off well. 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 ! |
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4221 |
Original ! Civil War era WIDE AWAKE style Kepi
A rare opportunity for the political collector and Lincoln enthusiast, we offer this piece with some trepidation as we have set aside a small accumulation of Abraham Lincoln artifacts ourselves. (see: MaineLegacy.com) Acquired from the collection of a long time personal friend and historian who had this wonderful old oil cloth kepi since 1958 when he pried it away from a then budding Americana collector Norm Flayderman. No connection to Maine though which we have set as a perimeter for our personal collection, so we have decided we will part with the old kepi to a good home. Political collectors and Lincoln enthusiasts are well aware of oil cloth caps and kepi style caps worn by the Wide-Awakes of the 1860 presidential campaign. Well documented by period photography and political illustrations, original examples of the rather cheaply made and fragile caps are extremely rare, seldom seen outside of the most prestigious museum collections. Best described here by detailed illustrations, we will add only that the antique cap remains in excellent all original and untouched condition. A classic example of its origin as a short lived political amenity made to last through the campaign period, the cap is unlined with an oil cloth sweat band, a stitched on coated pasteboard bill, and a faux chin strap held by period three piece buttons. The brass numeral is clearly original to the period and likely represents a political district or precinct. If you have questions send us an e-mail. 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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4273 |
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!!
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4162 |
antique U. S. Model 1879 COMBINATION TOOL
All in fine original condition, this was the first, all new and unaltered from earlier types, gun tool adopted after the Civil War. The tool was designed for the 1879 .45/70 Springfield Trap Door rifle and carbine. It offered two screwdrivers, a mainspring clamp and a band spring and tumbler punch. A nice companion piece!
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!!
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4188 |
Nicholls’ Patent HOOKS & EYES STORE CARD
The exact date of these will take some additional research but the pasteboard card and backing label set this attractive store card in the 19th century. With plenty of age yet quite displayable, this 9 ¼ X 4 3/8 inch card retains all 72 of its antique stitched on English import fasteners. A nice period sewing or country store item. 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!
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4139 |
Pat. July 1862 antique WALL FRAME
An attractive original Patent JULY 1862 wall frame measuring approximately 4 ¾ X 6 inches with a 2 X 3 1/8 viewing area, this frame is made of a pressed pasteboard material with a heavy lacquer finish. The frame is designed to slip a CDV or tintype in behind the glass through a slot in the paper backing. All in nice condition as you can see the original paper backing is thin and tended however and will require careful handling (maybe even reinforcement) when mounting a photograph. 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 !
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