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5572 |
Francis Lord collection- post Civil War HOUSUM ZOUAVES belt plate.
Acquired several years ago when we were fortunate enough to purchase several groupings from the personal collections of our longtime friend, Dr. Francis Lord, this just post Civil War militia piece was noted by Lord as a waist belt plate of the HOUSUM ZOUAVES worn by John C. Gerbig. (Will come with our letter to preserve its origin.) A quick google search found John C. Gerbig and the Housum Zouaves in the 1902 Pennsylvania Adjutant General Report where the following is offered on page 421:
Capt. John C. Gerbig He was a private in Chambers Artillery, April 1860. Pvt. Co. A 2nd Penn. Vol. Inf. three months service, 1861. Quartermaster Sgt. under Capt. P. L. Pearse, Co. A, 2nd Maine Infantry to 1864. Sergeant, Housum Zouaves August 13, 1868. 2nd Lt. Co. C 8th Regt. Infantry, Oct. 6, 1882. 1st Lt. Aug. 2, 1883, honorably discharged June 19, 1884.
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 had an abiding interest in all manner of 19th century military equipage. His primary interest was in Civil War however and led to his 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 collectibles 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.) 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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4570 |
original c. 1840 – HOLLIS BLACK INK / For Steel or Quill Pens - BROADSIDE
An attractive item for the country store or writing instrument enthusiast, this original circa 1840 broadside is printed on one side for posting and measures 10 ¼ X 6 ¾ inches promoting Boston Apothecary and Chemist, Thomas Hollis’s (see Mexican War through Civil War era Boston Business Directories) BLACK WRITING INK for steel or quill pens Remaining in excellent original condition with no rips tears or repairs, there is some age staining that could be easily removed by proper restoration methods but we would leave the piece as is. With lots of eye appeal and a good size for display, this scarce old advertising broadside will set in well in any number of period collectable categories. 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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5581 |
CIVIL WAR era LADIES MISER’S PURSE
A nice Civil War vintage crochet cotton, cut steel decorated misers purse. Narrow in the middle and closed at both ends, miser's purses ranged in the course of their history from 8 to 10 inches long. A knitted or crocheted tube with short slit in the narrow midsection to let the carrier drop coins or other small objects into either end of the tube. The purse was closed by moving the rings, or sliders toward the ends, gathering the fabric snugly around the contents. The toesor ends were usually tasseled, one end was generally square the other rounded. Frequently categorized by collectors as being exclusively for ladies use, the misers purse was an equally popular personal item of both sexes. All in excellent original condition, we’d expect the considerable cut steal decoration on this example would more likely place it in the ladies us category. While the cut steal embellishment shows some rust as evidence of age and originality, this classic example remains solid and suitable for careful use or will fit well in any period accessory or personal item 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! |
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5482 |
original ! Civil War era enlisted Hardee & Forage Cap – COMPANY LETTERS
Our photos will do best to describe these nice Civil War era die-struck brass hat letters except to offer that they are completely original and in fine unissued condition with a mellow natural patina as evidence of age and originality. The letters stand approximately 1 inch (illustrated with a quarter for size comparison) and sport original soldered on fastening wires. Of interest to the collector will be that we acquired these letters several years ago now when we were fortunate enough to purchase a number of items brought home by a W. Stokes Kirk clerk when the Philadelphia based Civil War surplus dealer closed up shop in 1976. Founded in 1874, W. Stokes Kirk, like Bannerman in New York, purchased large quantities of all manner of Civil War surplus at government auction. Seems like an impossibility today but seasoned collectors can remember the two outfits offering original Civil War material as late as the 1960s and early 1970s. This small grouping of Co. insignia offers a now rare opportunity as we make the letters available here individually pricedfor the collector who would like a single example as a companion piece or more than one for display. We have just a few each of letters A through G with K and L. Just indicate in your order which letter or letters you would like. (Use key word letters or numerals in our search to find other examples.) 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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5502 |
Civil War era WORM CURE APOTHECARY LABEL
An attractive apothecary label for GARRIGUE’S VEGETABLE WORM CONFECTIONS, sold by E. B. Garrigue, Philadelphia. Nicely printed on colorful blue stock so typical of the period, this 7 ¾" X 5 3/8’ uncut label extols the wondrous virtues of Mr. Garrigue’s little vegetable pills in ridding one of stomach worms. A common affliction of the Civil War era and an especially frequent malady of the Southern camp where warm weather and flies took their toll from Yankee soldiers who’s systems and personal habits were not accustom to sustained heat and close living. All original and in fine condition, this is a nice original item for the Civil War, medical, sutler or country store collector. please note: ALL ITEMS ARE CURRENT & AVAILABLE UNLESS MARKED SOLD!! Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques !! |
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4514 |
Victorian era POLISHED SATIN RIBBON – original unopened spool!
Some considerable time ago we were fortunate enough to acquire a small number of original pasteboard spools containing the most wonderful early polished satin ribbon. This offering from that grouping is an all original un-used 10 yard spool of 1 3/8 inch wide ribbon. (If you would prefer more narrow 7/8 inch wide ribbon enter 3160 in our search feature.) An exceptional find for the textile collector or conservator who would appreciate such a rarity either for display or use in a restoration. The spool is complete and as it was sold with a full complement of 10 yards of 1 3/8 inch wide polished satin ribbon wound with a paper liner as was the custom in the time and secured at the end by a small straight pin. The ribbon is that rich chocolate brown that Civil War era collectors will appreciate. The spool measures approximately 3 3/16 inches in diameter and will make a wonderful companion piece as is for any period sewing or textile grouping. A classic process of the Victorian era ribbon maker was to stiffen the finely loomed satin with such as starch, shellac or bee wax. The ribbon was then passed through pressurized and polished hot rollers. This process was called calendaring and produced a durable high metallic gloss on the ribbon. (Likely more than you needed to know.) A wonderful find for the Civil War era textile enthusiast ! please note: ALL ITEMS ARE CURRENT & AVAILABLE UNLESS MARKED SOLD!! Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques!
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5623 |
Gen. Thomas S. Allen 2nd & 5th Wisconsin Infantry - signed check
Dated May 1867 this check is drawn on the account of the state of Wisconsin in the amount of $100.00 and is signed by then Wisconsin Secretary of State Bvt. Brig. General Thomas S. Allen who served in the 2nd Wisconsin Infantry then as Colonel in command of the 5th Wisconsin Infantry. The check is made to Allen’s clerk Richard Lester who served as 1st Sgt.- 2nd Wis. (Sgt. Lester was wounded at Bull Run, Virginia)
Though Thomas S. Allen entered the Civil War in April 1861 as a private in the Governor’s Guards (Co. K, 1st Wis. Inf.) by the end of June he was serving as Captain of Co. I, 2nd Wisconsin which he had raised at the request of the Governor. A month later Allen led his troops at the Battle of Bull Run, then over the next several months was promoted through the ranks to Lt. Colonel. Allen led his troops into the Battle of Gainesville, where he was wounded in the neck and the wrist, but refused to leave the field. He was again wounded at the Battle of South Mountain. In January 1863 Allen was promoted to colonel of the 5th Infantry. On May 3, he commanded the regiment at the bloody attack on Marye's Heights, during the 2nd Battle of Fredericksburg. On November 7 he was wounded again, during the Battle of Rappahannock Station. When the 5th Infantry’s term of service was up in the summer of 1864, Allen volunteered to reorganize it with new recruits, and served through the end of the war. He was brevetted Brig. Gen. U.S. Volunteers. In the post-Civil War years Gen. Allen served as Wisconsin’s Secretary of State, was a driving force in the organizing of the Grand Army of the Republic in Wisconsin, and served as its commander, 1869-1870. A nice item for the autograph enthusiast or Wisconsin in the Civil War items. 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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5641 |
vintage LILY MILLS - Shelby, N. Carolina - ‘Carpet Warp for Weaving’
A 800 yard unopened, original label, turn of the century, spool of 8oz. CARPET WARP FOR WEAVING from the LILY MILLS - SHELBY, N. Carolina cotton mill. A bit apart from our usual fare but when we had an opportunity to acquire a few spools of this wonderful old cord from early 1900s North Carolina grown and milled cotton we could not resist. Besides those textile collector / historians who would enjoy an early unopened display spool from the old Shelby, North Carolina cotton mill, there are other Antiquers who will recognize the practical use potential of 800 yards of turn of the century Southern milled, 8oz cotton warp. (Easily distinguishable from modern spun cotton twine, this material will do well in any number of antique applications.) Lily Mills located in Shelby, on the edge of cotton country in North Carolina was founded in 1903 as part of growing industry in the post- Civil War, Reconstruction South. It was one of several mills which began to flourish in the region as they processed locally grown cotton in local mills. 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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5642 |
vintage -Maysville, Kentucky – Cotton Mill - ‘Carpet Warp for Weaving’
A 800 yard unopened, original label, turn of the century, spool of 8oz. CARPET WARP FOR WEAVING from the January & Woods Inc. Maysville Cotton Mills in Kentucky. A bit apart from our usual fare but when we had an opportunity to acquire a few spools of this wonderful old cord from turn of the century American grown and milled cotton we could not resist. Besides those textile collector / historians who would enjoy an early unopened display spool from the historic old Maysville, Kentucky cotton mill, there are other Antiquers who will recognize the practical use potential of 800 yards of turn of the century Kentucky milled, 8oz cotton warp. (Easily distinguishable from modern spun cotton twine, this material will do well in any number of antique applications.)
Prior to its recent demolition the historic old Maysville Cotton Mill had been a leading producer of carpet warp, rug yarns, cotton twine, twisted cord and tent rope. It had been in continuous operation since the first building was erected about 1834 with the exception of several months during the Civil War, when due to the inability to secure cotton, the mill closed from November, 1861 to March, 1862. J&W was one of only a few cotton mills in the country that continued operations throughout the Civil War. 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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5631 |
1700s early 1800s CURLING IRON
Measuring approximately 9 ½ inches in length, this slender hand forged curling iron remains in eye pleasing original condition and will set in nicely in any quality colonial Americana or Revolutionary War personal 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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5593 |
original c.1842 COLD WATER ARMY – Temperance Ribbon
A classic piece of original Americana, this 1842 dated silk temperance ribbon measures approximately 6 5/8 inches long by 2 1/16 wide. Pleasing to the eye. natural age patina and some tattering at the ends only add charm and good evidence of 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! |
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5672 |
Scarce J. FALLOWS PAT. 1865 - MESS SPOON
An unusual and desirable item for the Civil War era mess equipment and personal item enthusiast is this J. Fallows Patent 1865 mess spoon was constructed of die-struck tined sheet iron in accordance with the direction offered by the Fallows patent (see illustration). The spoon handle is formed from two thin iron sheets with the top sheet crimped over the lower with the two piece handle crimped and soldered to the bowl. (Patent markings are barely discernable on the spoon handle.) The design resulted in a stronger spoon while utilizing lighter material. This rarely surviving example remains in excellent original condition yet with good evidence of period originality. An especially nice personal item, this piece will lay in well with any quality Civil War grouping. ( We currently have a number of collectable Civil War era mess spoon variations from an old collection. Use spoon in our search box to see them all. 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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5673 |
Scarce J. FALLOWS PAT. 1865 – table spoon size MESS SPOON
An unusual and desirable item for the Civil War era mess equipment and personal item enthusiast is this J. Fallows Patent 1865 mess spoon was constructed of die-struck tined sheet iron in accordance with the direction offered by the Fallows patent (see illustration). The spoon handle is formed from two thin iron sheets with the top sheet crimped over the lower with the two piece handle crimped and soldered to the bowl. (Patent markings are barely discernable on the spoon handle.) The design resulted in a stronger spoon while utilizing lighter material. This rarely surviving example remains in excellent original condition yet with good evidence of period originality. An especially nice personal item, this piece will lay in well with any quality Civil War grouping. ( We currently have a number of collectable Civil War era mess spoon variations from an old collection. Use spoon in our search box to see them all. 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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5674 |
F. Grosgean’s Patent 1862 – two piece tinned iron MESS SPOON
Lots of folks may file this offering under who cares but for the serious mess gear collectors offering will be meaningful. A nice all original and period example of F. Grosgean’s Patent January 28, 1862 two piece mess spoon. Fashioned from light, tinned sheet iron, die struck with overlapping sections of the handle and bowl soldered together to form the finished spoon. Grosgean’s design claimed a stronger yet lighter eating utensil. This rarely surviving example remains in pleasing all original condition yet with good evidence of age and period originality. ( We currently have a number of collectable Civil War era mess spoon variations from an old collection. Use spoon in our search box to see them all. 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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5681 |
Original! Antique! Pat. 1864 ROLLER BUCKLES
We have acquired a nice lot of original antique black iron roller buckles and are offering them here individually priced for the collector / historian who would like an example for use or display. Originally emanating from the clean out of 19th century harness and leather work shop where the harness maker cut the buckles from used leather and threw them into a large wood box for reuse. From this mix we have separated a number of classic roller buckles and are offering them here in two sizes all remaining in pleasing as found and usable condition many even retaining remnants period black paint finish. We have buckles sized to accept 1 3/8 and 1 ¼ inch wide straps so be sure and note the size you need when ordering. Wider waist belts were frequently cut down on the leading end to accept the standard 1 3/8 inch buckle. (see illustration) A classic design of the Civil War era we have seen these heavy black-iron roller buckles in use back to the Mexican War vintage Grimsley U. S. Dragoon saddles. Wide Civil War military use on all manner of leather accoutrements, horse equipment, waist belts and more has been well documented. 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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5675 |
late 1700s early 1800s hand-cut BURL WALNUT BUTTONS
This set of 9 antique burl walnut buttons will be distinctive to the vintage clothing enthusiast as they were fashioned in the classic 18th early 19th century design with two holes on the back and a single hole on the front. All are matching and remain in excellent condition with the exception of one which has a period chip. A nice size comparable to those used with the period military frock or waist coat, these buttons would go especially well on a Southern style garment. We have acquired a limited few sets of antique buttons of butternut vegetable ivory and have scattered them through the site. (Enter buttons in our search to see all.) Ideal for restoration of vintage clothing of all design, these buttons will go especially well on southern made garments. Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques!
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5676 |
antique natural VEGETABLE IVORY BUTTON set
This set of 7 earlier to mid 1800s shirt or blouse buttons (illustrated here with a quarter for size comparison) were fashioned from natural butternut vegetable ivory and will make an attractive addition to any period garment restoration project or simply to display with period sewing or personal things. They will go especially well with Civil War period material. We have acquired a limited few sets of antique buttons of butternut vegetable ivory and have scattered them through the site. (Enter buttons in our search to see all.) Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques! |
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5677 |
antique natural VEGETABLE IVORY BUTTON set
This set of 7 earlier to mid 1800s shirt or blouse buttons (illustrated here with a quarter for size comparison) were fashioned from natural butternut vegetable ivory and will make an attractive addition to any period garment restoration project or simply to display with period sewing or personal things. They will go especially well with Civil War period material. We have acquired a limited few sets of antique buttons of butternut vegetable ivory and have scattered them through the site. (Enter buttons in our search to see all.) Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques! |
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5678 |
1700s early 1800s VEGETABLE IVORY BUTTON set
This set of 11 antique vegetable ivory buttons will be distinctive to the vintage clothing enthusiast as they were fashioned in the classic 18th early 19th century design with two holes on the back and a single hole on the front. All are matching and remain in excellent condition and are of a nice size comparable to those used with the period frock or coat. This set will make an attractive addition to any period garment restoration project or simply to display with period sewing or personal things. We have acquired a limited few sets of antique buttons of butternut vegetable ivory and have scattered them through the site. (Enter buttons in our search to see all.) Ideal for restoration of vintage clothing of all design, these buttons will go especially well on southern made garments. Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques!
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5532 |
c. 1860 Abraham Lincoln - FOLK ART OIL PAINTING
Measuring 24 1/8 x30 ¾ inches on its original stretcher, this oil on canvas beardless Lincoln portrait is signed (A. Aloisi) and offers good evidence of age and originality while remaining in pleasing condition save an easily restorable small tear just above the ear and some natural age thin spots that are likewise easily restorable. (All easily seen in our illustrations, we have chosen to leave the painting as found to preserve originality.) The painting is taken from a photograph by Alexander Heslet during a June 3,1860 sitting while Lincoln was campaigning for the presidency. A popular image of the Rail Splitter in the early campaign, Heslet’s Lincoln and images taken from his work, became well known in the period and are especially sought by todays collectors. Lincoln’s law partner, William Herndon, commented that the image was so essentially Lincolnian; no other artist has ever caught it. Nicely done yet offering a crudeness not seen in the work of a trained artist, the special charm of this old piece will place it in the folk art category to most. An exceptional piece of Americana, this early presidential campaign rendering from the Springfield, Illinois photographer’s a beardless Abraham Lincoln photograph will show off well. 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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