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Welcome to our Civil War Antique web catalog. Please send all Checks and Money orders to : Dave Taylor Click here to send us an e-mail. or Call us @ 419-842-1863
(09-NOV-01) - CONFEDERATE CARBINE – MADE FROM 1851 CADET MUSKET
(09-NOV-01) - CONFEDERATE CARBINE – MADE FROM 1851 CADET MUSKET: The stories of Confederates altering muskets into carbines and musketoons are legion and while it is certainly true that many such guns were CS altered, generally these stories are attached to sawed off junk muskets and are just so much “B.- S.” But this carbine/musketoon is absolutely and unequivocally a real military alteration, and I believe CSA. It truly is a cavalry weapon. This gun started out as the US Springfield M-1851 Cadet Musket with the date of 1851. This date of 1851 is highly significant as the 300 made that year went to The Virginia Military Institute. This cadet musket has been wonderfully altered as follows. The left side of the stock opposite the lock has had a six inch long sling ring bar and ring added. This is ingenious and reminds me of the Austrian carbine sling ring bars. The rear end of the bar passes through the original escutcheon plate on the gun. The forward end of the bar is secured with a screw that passes all the way through the stock from the right side and threads into the forward end of the bar. It is a quality piece of craftsmanship. The lock is marked “Springfield 1851” but the eagle and US mark are gone, having been intentionally removed. The barrel has been shortened to exactly 22 inches and has the remains of a ramrod capture ring (like on a US cavalry musketoon) that was added when the gun was altered (see photo). It has a front sight very reminiscent of a Morse CS carbine. The rear sight is a fixed V notch sight as seen on numerous Confederate longarms, and similar to US Mississippi rifles. When this piece was discovered this piece was attic rusty, crusty, and had some stock issues. The bottom two inches of butt stock were rotting from sitting in a damp corner, and some serious cracks were in the forend. The previous owner did a marvelous job of repairing the wood. The nose cap appears to be German Silver or possibly poor brass. There are also two German silver ramrod thimbles affixed to the underside of the stock. Feel free to call or write for additional photos and data. This truly is an exciting southern military conversion with tons of appeal. $2,650.00
Click here to send us an e-mail. or Call us @ 419-842-1863 (09-NOV-02) -Wonderful 1830s Complete Rig of Sword Belt, Sword, and Shoulder Belt ex Guthman collection:
(09-NOV-02) -Wonderful 1830s Complete Rig of Sword Belt, Sword, and Shoulder Belt ex Guthman collection: About as cool an item as you could hope to find. This is “as found”. The belt and support strap are very strong leather with enamel painted buff color finish. The buckle is one of the extra attractive square stamped brass buckles with early federal eagle with flags and cannons and stars. These are among the most attractive of all US belt buckles. The support belt matches the sword belt and it has a plain oval gilt brass cross-belt plate on it. The sword and scabbard are a classic 1820s-1830s era simple brass P-Guard militia sword with plain curved blade and brass mounted leather scabbard. This rig is in superb condition and totally complete except for the drag on the scabbard being gone. This rig is about 200 times cooler and more interesting than a common Civil War cavalry saber and belt. It is 175 years old, in superb condition, and yet it is priced far lower than a comparable war-surplus Civil War sword and belt would cost. This was owned by our late friend Bill Guthman who many of you knew and will remember fondly. Priced darn friendly at $1,950.00 photos available.
(09-NOV-03) - MEXICAN WAR INSCRIBED PEPPERBOX REVOLVER
(09-NOV-03) - MEXICAN WAR INSCRIBED PEPPERBOX REVOLVER: A nice large size six shot pepperbox with 4 inch barrels. Signed on side of barrels Patent 1837 Cast Steel. Best part is an inlaid silver plaque in the left grip which is engraved to read “Presented to Sergt. Stearns by the Brothers of Shawmut Lodge No 37 1847” On the right grip is a tiny silver escutcheon engraved “Boston Mass”. Research of all US military personnel from Massachusetts during this time period turns up only one Sergt. Stearns. He served in the Mexican War in Company A of the 1st Mass. Volunteers. He served in that regiment from late 1846 through mid 1848. The gun is overall “very good” condition. It is all original and complete and functions perfectly. All steel surfaces are steel grey with light brown age patina toning overall. The bag shaped grip has worn but attractive walnut grips. Finding an inscribed Mexican War gun is one of the harder things to do in the world of collecting. Cb $3,600.00
Click here to send us an e-mail. or Call us @ 419-842-1863 (09-NOV-04) -Three Digit Serial Number Attic Relic Colt M-1862 Police Model Revolver:
(09-NOV-04) - Three Digit Serial Number Attic Relic Colt M-1862 Police Model Revolver: This just came in fresh this week. It looks like it hasn’t seen the light of day since the Civil War. Absolutely fresh to the market… honest as Abe Lincoln … Colt Police Revolver bearing SN 824. This was put away decades ago and not touched again. It has thick rust brown patina and is totally crusty. The hammer cocks but the cylinder does not index. Back strap is steel which is a rare feature on this model. The grips are superb with 98% original varnish. Loading lever and rammer catch are missing, also the wedge screw, otherwise complete. (The wedge is present, just the little screw is missing.) It looks just like an early battlefield pickup relic. Email if you would like to see pictures. Honest and appealing with a magical relic charm. My favorite inexpensive gun find of the past six months… $595.00
(09-NOV-05) - CLASSIC CIVIL WAR SOLDIERS SEWING KIT “HOUSEWIFE”
(09-NOV-05) - CLASSIC CIVIL WAR SOLDIERS SEWING KIT “HOUSEWIFE” This one is the Civil War military housewife with black oilcloth exterior. Measures 5 x 4 x 1 inches when closed and opens to about ten inches in length with interior having compartments for needles and thread. Each soldier carried a “housewife” so that he could mend his garments as the need arose. Soldiers carried a wide variety of such kits. Some were made for them by sweethearts and looked pretty and fancy. Others were utilitarian and sold by sutlers. This is just such a utilitarian kit being designed for the soldier with the military black oilcloth exterior. Excellent condition except for the shoestring closing strap is now a little short. This is a classic Civil War personal item. Many dealers offer ladies sewing kits from the late Victorian era as Civil War. Beware of those. This one is the real deal… a Union soldier’s kit. $235.00 Click here to send us an e-mail. or Call us @ 419-842-1863 (09-NOV-06) -(09-NOV-06) - CIVIL WAR TIN SHAVING MUG & BRUSH
(09-NOV-06) - CIVIL WAR TIN SHAVING MUG & BRUSH: Solid 1860s tin shaving mug as used by the soldiers who weren't sporting full beards. Included is the original wood shaving brush. Nice personal item. $100.00
(09-NOV-07) -
(09-NOV-7) - INSCRIBED SOLDIER’S (Confederate?) CHANGE PURSE SENT HOME WITH HIS EFFECTS WHEN HE DIED: A classic metal bound 1860 leather change purse in very good condition. Inscribed in ink on the inside the book twice are historical notes… 1) “Grandpa Brown 1864 / Sent home with his things after he died / Little Rock Ark.” 2) Grandpa Brown’s Pocket Book sent home with his things after his death 1864 Little Rock Ark.” The question arises whether Grandpa Brown died in Little Rock or whether Grandpa Brown hailed from Little Rock. Little Rock while being a Southern city that supplied many Confederates to the war, was also held by Union forces for most of the war. If we assume that Grandpa was a native of Little Rock then he was likely a Reb. If we assume he died in Little Rock he was likely a Yank. In either event this is a wonderful inscribed old trinket from the Civil War. It is sad to think that the family at one point thought enough of this artifact to inscribe it as a keepsake, and that some later generation of the family just discarded it. Lucky for us it was rescued by a collector. These change purses from the 1860s are very scarce in and of themselves. Finding one attributed to a soldier who died in the service is quite rare. $345.00
(09-NOV-08) -
(09-NOV-08) - FINE RED LEATHER BOUND TRAVELLING SIZE HOLY BIBLE: A fine Bible published by Miller and Burlock in Philadelphia prior to the Civil War. The title page bears no date but the Bible is unquestionably 1840s to 1850s era and perfect to display with Civil War, Mexican War, Confederate, or plain old Americana displays. It measures 4 ½ x 3 x 2 inches in size when closed. The Bible closes by means of a leather tongue in the wrap around binding engaging a securing strap. Condition is good but there is some worm damage along the folding edge. A great personal item. It bears an inscription on the fly leaf from Mary Sophia Barth. Interspersed throughout the Bible are pressed leaves, ferns, even a matchbook size pencil and watercolor drawing of a little girl and a lamb. A very touching personal item. $55.00
Click here to send us an e-mail. or Call us @ 419-842-1863 (09-NOV-09) - US ARTILLERY SHORT SWORD
(09-NOV-09) - US ARTILLERY SHORT SWORD: Regulation US 1832 Artillery Short Sword in overall very good to fine condition. This is complete with the brass mounted leather scabbard which is solid and unbroken. Blade is clean shiny steel and has very legible Ames firm marking as well as 1833 date stamp. The brass handle and scabbard mounts have identical light age patina, very attractive saffron color. Blade is shiny, has a couple minor edge nicks. Scabbard is fine, solid, strong, with just some alligator lines in the finish. The brass cross guard has inspector’s initials “JM” stamped on the upper side. This rates an 8 on a scale of 1 to 10. A good solid example much nicer than most we find for sale these days. Priced lower than three years ago ! $985.00
(09-NOV-10) - Interesting Civil War Foot Officer’s Sword / Western Theater:
(09-NOV-10) - Interesting Civil War Foot Officer’s Sword / Western Theater: This is a regulation M-1850 US Foot Officer’s sword in overall very good++ condition. What makes this one really neat is the following: The ricasso of the blade bears two very unusual markings. First, it is stamped “Folsom & Co. St. Louis” this being the military outfitter who sold the sword to some officer serving in the western theater. Second it is acid etched in artistic lettering Schnitzler & Kirschbaum, this being the blade maker. I have seen many swords marked “S&K” indicating manufacture by the aforementioned firm. But thinking back over nearly forty years of collecting I do not recall ever having a sword bearing this firm name spelled out. And further, this is the first regulation foot officer’s sword I recall owning by this company. The sword is very nice. The grip is VG with 95% of the sharkskin (ray skin) and all the twisted wire. The brass mounted leather scabbard is likewise extra fine. The blade is steel grey with patriotic etched designs… etching is a little worn. As stated superior maker and dealer’s marks present on each side of the ricasso. The leather scabbard is excellent, solid, no weak spots, and has all three brass mounts firmly in place. On a scale of 1 to 10 this rates an “8”. I think you will look long and hard before finding another sword bearing these markings. It is the first I’ve owned and I have had a truck load of foot officer’s swords….. $975.00
Click here to send us an e-mail. or Call us @ 419-842-1863 (09-NOV-11) - PENNSYLVANIA SOLDIER’S MUSKET NICELY CARVED WITH NAME AND UNIT PLUS INLAID 8th CORPS BADGE !!
(09-NOV-11) - PENNSYLVANIA SOLDIER’S MUSKET NICELY CARVED WITH NAME AND UNIT PLUS INLAID 8th CORPS BADGE !!! This is the first time this WONDERFUL musket has been offered on our collector’s market. I obtained it two days ago as I type this (Saturday 10/24/09) from the 65 year old son of the first man who found it back in the 1940s for a few bucks. The son and his father shot this gun back in the 1950s and 1960s. This is a standard M-1861 Bridesburg contract rifle musket. Deeply carved into the right side of the butt stock in tall serifed letters is “H. HARDEY CO. C 195th P.V.” and also “64 H.H.”. A quick check of the National Park Service Soldier’s and Sailors web site finds Henry Hardey Corporal Co. “C” 195th Penna. Vols. ( civilwardata site shows him as Wm H Hardy). Interestingly, Corporal Hardey decorated the back side of the butt stock by affixing a lead 8th Corps Badge (6 pointed star) in the wood! This is pretty dang cool since the regiment was in the 8th corps! The musket is an attic brown, VG condition, M1861 contract musket. It is 100% original and complete and is mechanically perfect. The lock is marked Bridesburg, likeness of eagle, and 1863 date. The barrel “VP” and eagle’s head proof marks are clearly legible at the breech. The barrel date is buried under some brown and scale. All steel surfaces are smooth attic brown age patina. The stock has good edges, great color, and a rumor of one of the cartouche marks still visible. The overall patina is deep age brown. The incised name and unit retains much ancient red sealing wax which Corporal Hardey used to fill in the carved letters. This is in exactly the same state as it was brought home from the war save for a tiny sight bead which was soldered on the front sight by the father of the man who sold it to me. He did it so he could shoot this more accurately. This little bead can be removed in one minute if you wish, but I am leaving it alone. Corporal Hardey went into the service in July 1864 in the 195th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He served his initial hundred days and then reenlisted and served another year through the end of the war. The majority of the recruits for this regiment were obtained in Lancaster county. They were mustered into the U. S. service at Camp Curtin, July 1864, for a term of 100 days. As soon as organized the regiment proceeded to Baltimore and thence to Monocacy Junction, where it was stationed for two months guarding the bridge and railway lines. During the last month of its service it was stationed along the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, with headquarters at North Mountain Station. Three hundred of the members including Corporal Hardey re-enlisted for a one year's term, and were consolidated into three companies. Seven new companies were recruited in Feb., 1865, by Col. Fisher and on March 16 the regiment was reorganized at Martinsburg, W. Va. for a term of one year. It served at Charlestown, Kabletown and Stevenson's station, Va., until April 22, when it moved to Berryville, Va., and was employed in preserving order among the people of the region. On June 6 it moved up the valley as far as Harrisonburg. They were mustered out at Summit Point, Va., June 21, 1865. You can hunt long and hard your entire life and not find a soldier carved musket with full name and unit ID. This is a great one… $2,200.00
(09-NOV-12) - CONFEDERATE IDENTIFIED INSCRIBED ENFIELD MUSKET 25TH SOUTH CAROLINA VOLUNTEERS
(09-NOV-12) - CONFEDERATE IDENTIFIED INSCRIBED ENFIELD MUSKET 25TH SOUTH CAROLINA VOLUNTEERS: From the same collection as the Fayetteville rifle listed elsewhere is this historic and attractive Enfield rifle musket inscribed in the butt stock “S. N. June Co C 25th S.C.V.” This carving is on the right side of the butt stock and is executed in fine Spenserian script which is very attractive and dead real. The carving is quite large and was executed while June held the musket in his lap with the barrel facing left… resulting in the inscription being seen upside down when the gun is hung on a wall. Included with this are June’s military service records obtained from the National Archives which show that he served from 1861 through 1865 including being captured in 1864. The musket is a standard P53 British Enfield rifle musket in .577 caliber dated 1862. The condition is very good. It is 100% original and complete. All metal surfaces are bright steel and these have been kept burnished for many years. The stock is likewise VG… very attractive showing only expected handling and light wear. The barrel proofs are worn but still visible and are the standard 25 * 25 * markings. One of the most interesting features on this musket is that the hammer is a Richmond musket hammer which was altered to fit this musket. This is IDENTICAL to another CS Enfield I viewed this month in the possession of fellow dealer Mike Rasche. His Enfield was the classic CS serial numbered example with Georgia letter brand on the stock. His too had an identical Richmond hammer in place. Utilizing odd parts was one of the daily tasks accomplished at the Richmond Arsenal. This Enfield here offered is dead-real carved by the Confederate soldier and is likewise very attractive with the carving being visible when the gun is displayed on the collection room wall. The 25th Infantry Regiment participated in the following battles: James Island, South Carolina (31 May 1863) I have not had an inscribed Confederate gun in quite a while, and this is one of the best I know of. $6,900.00 (09-NOV-13) - Civil War Artillery Stirrups with Leathers:
(09-NOV-13) -Civil War Artillery Stirrups with Leathers: A pair of regulation heavy brass US Artillery stirrups boldly stamped on the bottoms “US Watervliet Arsenal NY” One also bears an inspector’s stamp in script lettering “AGS”. Also present with each is an ancient leather hood over the front of the stirrup… reminiscent of cavalry style stirrups but not as large. Each also has the leather strap and iron roller buckle for attaching to the saddle. I am not an expert on artillery equipment but I believe these leather components are original to the stirrups… though each strap shows an old repair using a different style of copper rivet (different than the military rivets which are present). I am flying by the seat of my pants on these items… they are the first I’ve had and I’ve had a bunch of stuff over the past 40 years. $500.00
(09-NOV-14) - Ames Contract 1833 Dragoon Saber - Classic sword of the mounted dragoons serving on the western frontier during the era of The Alamo, The Mexican War, and Indian Campaigns. This sword is overall VG condition. The markings on the blade are just about worn completely away. The blade has not been polished or abraded, but the needle etched markings are nearly totally gone. The birds head pommel, backstrap, guard and quillon are all a lovely rich aged brass patina, the grip has virtually all of the original brown leather and all of the original piano style wire wrap. The leather has several scuffs in the surface finish that can be cured with some KIWI boot polish. The wire on these is usually gone so this is quite a PLUS to find a ‘33 dragoon with the early piano style wire intact. The top of the guard as the inspector’s mark of “H K C” and “ORD”. Very tight and very solid. Just the sword, no scabbard. $735.00 --DWT
(09-NOV-15) - M1860 US Light Cavalry Saber
(09-NOV-15) - M1860 US Light Cavalry Saber - C Roby Contract - C Roby stamped and 1865 dated. Leather grip has full leather and twisted wire wrap. There is some scuffing on the leather. The blade has a dark grey patina, with no rust or pitting. All of the Brass is very attractive with nice delicate age patina. The scabbard is likewise very good with no dents or dings. It was painted black many, many years ago, and I have elected to leave it this way. $750.00 DWT
(09-NOV-16) - US Model 1840 Light Artillery Saber
(09-NOV-16) - US Model 1840 Light Artillery Saber - This is an Ames dated 1861 saber with scabbard. This blade must have seen a ton of action as the blade has dozens of deep nicks in the edge. (Or are those nicks the result of kids playing sword-fight in 1925 or 1945 or 1965 ?) The stampings on the blade are crisp and clear. “US/J.H./1861”. with the classic Ames scroll firm logo on the other side of the ricasso. Grips are average, scabbard is VG with some pitting as we get toward the drag. The guard and other brass have a pleasant attic finish. Overall VG, ... $750..00 DWT
(09-NOV-17) - 4th Model Burnside Carbine
(09-NOV-17) - 4th Model Burnside Carbine - This is the model that many cavalry regiments were armed with during the war. This is the first of the models with the hinged center breech block helps the breech ride smoother and allows better insertion of the custom Burnside cartridges. The top of the frame is stamped “Burnside’s Patent/March 25th, 1856” and the lockplate is marked “Burnside Rifle Co. / Providence=R.I.” The gun is 100% Mechanically perfect and has a attic brown patina. Minor wood scars in a few places, but they don’t detract from this beauty. This one goes for $1395.00 DWT
(09-NOV-18) - Remington New Model Army
(09-NOV-18) - Remington New Model Army - This is the standard issue cavalryman’s Remington revolver as issued in 1863. This is in NRA VG condition and has all original parts, but each bears a different serial number and the barrel has been smooth bored ! There are two small holes drilled in the butt strap reason unknown. Some parts are stamped with sub inspector’s marks of “H, P, F, D, J, or A” All the metal surfaces are a uniform light tan age patina, the grips are VG to fine condition, the action is crisp, and despite the various serial numbers these parts have been together for a hundred years or more. My guess with the smooth bore is that this may have been used for trick shooting in a Wild West Show so the shooter could easily break thrown targets in the air. A very handsome, totally functional, and very affordable Civil War Remington $750.00
(09-NOV-19) - Cobbled Model 1861 Norwich Contract -
(09-NOV-19) - Cobbled Model 1861 Norwich Contract - This gun is great looking, has matching 1863 dates, and super edges... but someone shortened the butt stock about 120 years ago. What the @#$%^& +=*#@ !!! In addition there is a rectangle of replaced wood on the righthand side of the wrist. This has a replacement brass buttplate. The metal is superb... if this hadn’t been altered it would be a $2000 gun easily. But as it stands you can use it for reenacting... or strip it for parts as it has great barrel, great bands, great lock, rear sight, perfect trigger guard etc. I already took the bayonet off this! The cartouches are very clear and we also have the Norwich and “Mowry” stamp. If you had a musket that needed the stock “stretched” you could certainly use the front end of this one. Here is a bargain and a half... $695.00 DWT
(09-NOV-20) - CONFEDERATE FAYETTEVILLE RIFLE - 1863 - TYPE 3:
(09-NOV-20) - CONFEDERATE FAYETTEVILLE RIFLE - 1863 - TYPE 3: A totally original and genuine Fayetteville rifle that is affordable. This is totally original and complete except for a repaired ramrod. I purchased this last Thursday out of an old friend’s collection in Maryland who needed to raise money quickly due to pressing bills and a poor economy. It is an early 1863 Confederate Fayetteville Rifle. These Fayettevilles were based on the US-Harpers Ferry 1855 pattern rifle because in 1861 the Confederates under Stonewall Jackson captured the Harpers Ferry arsenal and confiscated the machinery and gun parts used for making this model. The first guns were assembled out of US parts and a smattering of CS parts. Then Richmond Arsenal became involved and produced the locks during 1862. By 1863 the production became more regular in North Carolina where the guns were made with mostly CS made parts. The rifle here offered is a solid mid war gun of total Confederate manufactured parts except for the steel ’55 nose cap which is totally correct and proper. It has the standard low-hump lock with date of 1863 behind the hammer, image of an eagle above “CSA” and “FAYETTEVILLE” forward of the hammer. The barrel has the standard short range 1855 style rear sight, standard front sight, and the bayonet lug on the right side of the barrel. The bayonet lug was significantly filed down during this guns period of use. The breech of the barrel has the “V P” and image of eagle’s head clearly visible. The barrel date is no longer visible. The stock is a standard CS Fayetteville stock with the steel 1855 nose cap, brass butt plate, and standard flat brass bands. The stock was significantly sanded generations ago, but has good grain and color. There is a burned out area behind the bolster and a very small crack (inconsequential) on the back side of the butt near the heel of the butt stock. This little crack is of NO consequence but is mentioned only to be totally accurate. The brass butt plate is marked “CSA”. The brass bands are marked “U” on each to indicate which edge is the “up” edge. The ramrod is original but has a welded repair in the shaft. This rifle is overall good condition and totally complete. The steel is gun metal grey with areas of light pitting. The stock has worn edges, having been sanded at some point in the distant past. The brass is a nice mustard yellow. If you are looking for a dead-real Confederate rifle but don’t want to spend the price of a new car this Fayetteville is just the ticket. In this totally odd and unpredictable economy, I believe putting our money in antiques, art, coins, gold, and guns may be the smart move for now. According to last night’s news our US dollar has been devalued 16% against world currencies as of this tenth month of 2009. Predictions of that being only the beginning of a much bigger devaluation make me want to turn my dollars into something else …. something more tangible. I am torn between antiques or a hut on a tropical island in the South Pacific. I guess I’ll stick with antiques and guns for now, and keep my “hut” options open. No sense in paying the "Confederate Mafia" prices in this economy... This one is a truly fair and honest buy at ... $6,500.00
(09-NOV-21) - CDV PHOTO OF LINCOLN BY GARDNER: Fine seated portrait of Honest Abe. Back is blank but covered with pencil notes including one from early collector and Lincoln scholar Lloyd Ostendorf which states he paid $45 for it April 17, 1971 from King V. Hostick. Also noted that image was taken Aug. 9, 1863. A scarce Lincoln photo. $1,495.00
(09-NOV-22) - QUARTER PLATE AMBROTYPE GIDEON WELLES FROM LIFE: A magnificent from life ambrotype photo of Lincoln's Secretary of the Navy. Condition is stellar. Welles lived 1802 - 1878. He was a Connecticut Republican leader and a founder of the Hartford Evening Press, Gideon Welles, was nicknamed "Father Neptune," and was the Secretary of the Navy from 1861-1869. He was a jealous Cabinet rival of Secretary of State William H. Seward, who he considered meddled in naval affairs. Welles was the subject of some of Lincoln's jokes on account of the seriousness of his demeanor. He had earlier served as Chief of the Bureau of Provisions and Clothing in the Navy Department under President Polk. Welles was the New England representative in the Lincoln cabinet, but he was not sure of his appointment until President Lincoln submitted it to the Senate for confirmation. Later, Welles supported President Johnson during Reconstruction. His wife, Mary Jane, who had lost six children of her own, was a rare good friend of Mary Todd Lincoln. Although sick with a heavy cold, she spent the night of Mr. Lincoln's assassination and the following day with Mrs. Lincoln. This rare image of Welles is a significant piece of US history. $4950.00
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