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4362 |
complete alphabet ! earlier 1800s through Civil War era - WOOD BROADSIDE TYPE
Sometimes seen as one or two individual letters, this classic set of wooden printer type in bold vintage font contains all the letters of the alphabet plus & and !. Carved from 15/16 inch thick rock maple blocks, each letter is 1 5/8 inch high in a bold Civil War vintage font as was popularly utilized in printing those wonderful old broadsides of the period. This scarce set will go in well in any period grouping and will display especially well with a period recruiting or advertising broadside. 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 !
If you have an interest in neat Civil War period things or Maine in the time, you may enjoy our museum site at:
MaineLegacy.com
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4460 |
Civil War era - Black SATIRICAL ENVELOPE
Patriotic and politically satirical postal covers were a popularly circulated art form in the times of the American Civil War with virtually every subject and opinion of the day expressed. Political and social satire envelopes were second only to patriotic subjects with both pro Union and pro Confederate bent. While the vast majority were put to use in the mails and have not survived, the wide variety of subject matter made the little covers a natural collectible even in the period. An ever dwindling supply of nice condition, unused examples have thus survived offering today’s collector / historian an opportunity to put together a respectable collection of quality original examples. Though steadily growing in value these covers still offer an opportunity on to accumulate a category of original Civil War artifacts and watch them grow in interest and value all at a relatively modest initial cost. We try to keep a small and varying supply of these on our site for those folks who might enjoy them. You can bring them all up for viewing by entering satirical envelope in our search feature. Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques!
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4524 |
c.1821 – 1832 BELL CROWN HAT CHIN STRAP DEVICES
Though they could be properly utilized by militia through the Mexican War era, these are the larger strap buttons utilized with the regulation bell crown cap of 1821 through 1832. Acquired many years ago in a collection of early American military insignia, this pair remain in fine as new condition as a reflection of what was available from the large 1940s and 50s military surplus dealers. Nicely die struck from brass and lightly gold gilded with soldered on wire fasteners this fine example of the type should not be confused with the smaller counterparts of the 1870s and 80s or lesser quality modern reproductions. Priced for the pair. 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. Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques!
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4561 |
antique toy Cap Gun – CAPS (10 rolls)
A bit late for our usual fare but we couldn’t resist when we had the opportunity to acquire a small lot of these original caps for the old cast iron or white-metal cap guns us old-timers remember from our boyhood. (These are modern times however so we must offer the appropriate caution that these caps are offered for display purposes only.) Offered here as a lot of 10 blue paper rolls, these neat old caps will lay in well with a single example or collection of those wonderful old toy repeater cap guns. Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques! |
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4473 |
antique U S Keg Spigot
This US marked keg spigot is of turned maple with a natural cork insert to insure a leak proof fit. The spigot measures approximately 11 1/8 inches in length and though it offers good evidence of age and period originality appears never to have been used. Appropriate for use or display with any number of period barrel, hogshead, or keg applications, the cork insert is generally considered most appropriate to use with beer, wine and spirits barrels and kegs. A neat display item to lay in with Civil War vintage sutler, country store or military quartermaster items. 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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5477 |
Civil War ARMY & NAVY Patriotic / ‘HARD-TIME’ TOKEN
These little penny sized coins were struck in the early years of the American Civil War to fill a commercial need when people began hording hard currency. By July of 1862 even the lowly copper cent had all but disappeared from public circulation. Though the U. S. Mint began issuing substitute paper money in the usual coinage denominations and folks began using postage stamps to augment that effort, commercial needs demanded something more familiar and more durable. The private minting of what collectors refer to as HARD-TIME TOKENS began to appear in the fall of 1862. These private issue coins fell in two categories, the patriotic token which did not carry the name of a specific redeemer and the so called store-card type which carried the name of a specific merchant. The little private issue ‘penny’ filled the commercial need and soon enjoyed general acceptance as a means of exchange usually allotted the value of one cent. The little copper cent was minted in several variations and designs (usually patriotic) and were almost immediately a collectable accounting for some limited availability of nice condition examples still available on today’s collectors market. Not a common find outside of collector circles though, as the short lived Civil War token was outlawed by act of Congress in 1864 when the issuance of currency in any form by private individuals was forbidden. We have acquired a small collection of these little relics and are offering them individually in our online shop for the collector who would enjoy a nice original example to go in a Civil War grouping or coin collection. The patriotic example offered here remains in pleasing, uncirculated condition with a natural age patina. (Will make a neat original Civil War vintage gift without spending lots of money.)You may view all of these that are currently on our site by entering patriotic token in our search feature. Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques !
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4576 |
Civil War era Military Motif - import PORCELAIN TOBACCO PIPE
A style initially made popular in this country by German immigrants, the use of this classic type by American Civil War troops has been well documented by period field photos and military camp excavation. The elongated porcelain bowl was joined to the cherry wood stem by means of a hollow V-shaped secondary bowl, this component intended to collect moisture and tobacco tar making for a fine smooth smoke. The mouthpiece is of natural horn and the bowl is generally capped by a hinged metal lid. Popular from the earlier 19th century and Civil War era through the later 1800s, the earliest of these bowls were hand painted as is this offering. The advent of color transfer printing in the later, mid 1800s, and the nearly universal use of that newly available medium to decorate these pipes, is a primary feature in determining whether such a pipe is pre or post-Civil War with hand painted examples as is offered here falling in the just pre and Civil War era. Especially desirable by virtue of the colorful and especially well done military battle scene, its overall condition and completeness this example will make an attractive addition to any tobacco and smoking grouping or simply as a stand-alone in a period 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!
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5480 |
1700s early 1800s forged iron NUTCRACKER
A popular utility of the colonial era, Revolutionary War period with use through the Civil War era these blacksmith forged iron crackers were reversible with a lesser gap one way than the other so as to accommodate large and smaller nuts. The cracking surfaces are textured so as to provide a firm grip. An attractive companion piece in a period setting, this pair measure about 5 ¾ inches in length and remain in nice solid , even usable condition but with a pleasant natural age patina. 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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4371 |
original - antique cast iron PATRIOTIC TRIVET
Not to be confused with the usually encountered reproduction in this pattern this example is the real thing. This genuine antique, cast iron trivet, with its classic patriotic shield design, crossed cannons, cannon balls and crossed swords, measures 8 ½ inches long and is 4 1/8 inches wide. Never painted this desirable original remains in excellent condition and will make a pleasing addition to any collection. Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques !
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4569 |
Civil War era 'COPPERHEAD' IDENTIFICATION DISK
An 1854 dated large cent (shown here with a quarter for size comparison) as was originally worn as a badge of identification by members of the frequently militant Peace Democrats or Copperheads of Civil War era notoriety. This pierced U.S. large cent retains a rich age patina and good evidence of period wear. The Copperheads were so-called by their opponents in recognition of their practice of wearing a pierced copper penny as a badge of identification as a Peace Democrat. (see: Excavated Artifacts from Battlefields & Campsites of the Civil War by Stanley Phillips) Offered as found some years ago when we were able to pick one up on occasion here in Maine where the Copperheads were extremely active in certain areas throughout the Civil War years. A neat item for political collectors ! please note: ALL ITEMS ARE CURRENT & AVAILABLE UNLESS MARKED SOLD!! Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques!!
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4568 |
colorful post Civil War Southern Reconstruction SATIRICAL PRINT
Our photo illustration will likely offer the best description of this colorful old print except to say that it measures 10 X 13 ½ inches and it is offered just as we found it torn from a June 16, 1894 issue of the satirical publication Judge. The cartoon is titled THE DEMOCRATIC RICHELIEU and is captioned - DEMOCRATIC SENATOR (ex-confederate brigadier): ‘Take away the sword. States can be ruined without it. Bring me the pen,it is mightier than the sword!’ The graphic satire refers to an all too common division between North & South during Reconstruction and the strong feeling by many in the North that ex-Confederate leaders were continuing their attack against the Union utilizing the pen and politics. A colorful conversation piece, this neat old piece of Americana will frame up nicely.
please note: ALL ITEMS ARE CURRENT & AVAILABLE UNLESS MARKED SOLD!! Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques !!
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4422 |
1850 U. S. Statistical Gazetteer
Statistical Gazetteer of the United States of America from Official State & Federal Returns & the Census of 1850 by Richard s. Fisher M.D. Published by J. H. Colton & Co., New York 1857 A wonderful antebellum resource or simply a nice item to set out on a period desk, reading table or book shelf. Leather bound with lots of evidence of age and period use, the leather cover and spine could use treatment with a proper dressing, but the spine is tight and pages are solidly bound with expected age but complete with no stains, tears or repairs or other condition issues. (Offered here un-touched and as found so the new owner can decide what leather dressing to use. We would do no more than that.) An outstanding accumulation of material from population and land use, to industrial and governmental information, this volume will be of special interest as it offers insight into the antebellum south.
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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4505 |
Star Brand / Backes’ Pat. 1931 Repeating Paper Caps
A bit late for our usual fare but we couldn’t resist when we had the opportunity to acquire a small lot of these original Star Brand Repeating Paper Caps and are offering them here priced by the single box for the collector who would enjoy having an original unopened 1930s / 1940s box of five rolls of the old paper caps. A nice companion display piece if you are fortunate enough to have one of the old cast iron or white-metal cap guns us old-timers remember from our boyhood. (These are modern times however so we must offer the appropriate caution that these caps are offered for display purposes only.) Each of the colorful old red, white and blue pasteboard boxes remains in fine unopened condition retaining its original content of five rolls of Star Brand, M. Backes’ Sons, Inc. repeating caps. Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques! |
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5509 |
earlier 1800s through Civil War era PLANTATION KNIFE
Acquired some years ago while traveling in Louisiana, this wonderful early hand wrought field knife with its massive 16 inch slightly curved, black iron blade and turned hardwood grip, will fit well in a myriad of collecting categories. With its long stout blade and naturally patinated grip from untold hours of long ago use, the piece is a classic of the early Southern field or cane knife style used by slave workers in cotton and sugar cane labor. Measuring just under 22 inches in total length with a blade that is a sturdy 1/4 inch thick at its back, this early utility would surely have been a prize to the field hand who would undoubtedly have been subject to close scrutiny while in possession of such a formidable item. Classic early construction is set off in this case by the presence of a well patinaed iron ferrule at the hilt with forged iron washer and peened tang at the butt. All reminiscent of so many hand forged D-guard and heavy bowie knives of Confederate popularity. An eye appealing piece of Southern Americana with Black History ties, the piece offers that telltale wavy blade construction knowledgeable collectors like and would not be out of place in a Confederate or primitive knife 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 !
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4356 |
19th Century INVALID FEEDER
A nice item for the medical collector this period invalid feeder remains in excellent condition with no chips and a single hairline in the glaze as evidence of age and originality. Will go well with medical, nursing or hospital items of the Civil War period. see: Dammann’s Collectors Encyclopedia of Civil War Medical Instruments & Equipment. (An example of this desirable boat shaped feeder is included in the Gettysburg Visitors Center museum collection. please note: ALL ITEMS ARE CURRENT & AVAILABLE UNLESS MARKED SOLD!!. 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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4382 |
mid to late 1700s through early 1800s KNIFE & FORK
This nice stained bone mounted, two tine fork and matching knife will be best described by our photographs. All in nice original condition with no cracks in the classic green stained bone, this later 18th century / early 19th century will make an attractive companion set laid in a Revolutionary War era haversack or with a period mess grouping . 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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4365 |
Civil War era SAIL MAKERS NEEDLE PACKET
This nice original earlier to mid 19th century W. Smith & Son sail makers needle packet still contains 9 period needles in a variety of stout sizes. A neat item for the Civil War era and collector, these heavy, hand cut needles will clean up nicely however they are offered here just as they came to us after decades of storage and likely just as they were carried in an original W. Smith & Son needle case. A necessary utility to the soldier in the field for repair of shelter half, Sibly tent, or leather accoutrement, these heavy steel needles were a staple among entrepreneurial soldiers and sailors who considered them a primary tool as they cut fanciful scrimshaw decorations in beef, whale bone or ivory for trade, sale or to send back home. A nice original and as found period personal item. (If you would like a single example of a slightly smaller #12 needle use the search word needle see our Item # 900 ) Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques ! |
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5564 |
rare! 1862 Slave Labor Receipt for: FORTIFICATIONS IN AND AROUND RICHMOND
Measuring approximately 5 ½ X 4 1/8 inches this small preprinted and hand completed receipt confirms the extensive utilization of slave labor on fortifications at and near the City as Richmond prepared for the Seven Days Battles that would soon swirl around the Capitol City. The slave Booker was provided by Anne Belle Leftwich, child bride of [destined to be Colonel] Alexander Hamilton Leftwich who would serve in Co. B VMI Corps of Cadets at the Battle of Newmarket. Ordered by regular Confederate Engineer, Lt. Col. W. H. Stevens who was responsible for Richmond’s fortifications. He was promoted to Brig. General in August 1864 and is said to have been the last man to cross the Mayo Bridge the night Richmond was evacuated. All original and in pleasing condition with no rips, tears or repairs. 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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5606 |
19th century word & picture PUZZLE
Measuring 7 1/8 inches square when completed this six piece pasteboard SCOTCH puzzle remains in eye appealing condition with bright color yet with good evidence of age and originality. An attractive display item illustrated here with a quarter for size comparison. 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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5511 |
working model - Salesman’s Sample CLOTHES WRINGER
This antique salesman’s sample is a scaled down working, demonstration model of the full scale, hand crank, cloths wringer by the American Wringer Company of New York. [Seldon A. Bailey invented the mechanical clothes wringer in 1859 and began producing the wringers on a small scale in 1860 as the American Wringer Co.. The company prospered for years until the powered washing machine became widely available.] Fashioned of wood with tinned cast iron components and rubber rollers, the body of the wringer (minus the crank) is 5 ¾ inches wide. This miniature remains in nice all original condition. A really neat little collectable, this wringer will come with a copy of a wringer advertisement taken from a Civil War era Leslies. 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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