DR5191.    U S marked martingale in good condition, the face has strong U S letters, unfortunately it has a small piece missing on the upper right, the reverse has full lead and retains all three attachment wires, these marked examples are very rare to find in any condition

F1302.   Starr Model 1863 SA Army revolver in good condition, these were produced from 1863 - 1865 with only approx. 32,000 being made, this was a simpler and less expensive successor to the double action Model 1858, it is easy to spot due to its longer 8 inch barrel, this example has smooth metal with a dark brown patina, the left side of the frame is marked STARR ARMS CO. NEW YORK, the right side is marked STARR'S PATENT JAN.15, 1856, this is an early mfg being serial number 28861 ( serial numbers continued from the Model 1858 beginning at around 23000 ) the walnut grips show wear but are in good shape, the left side shows a ghost of the inspector cartouche, the action works well but the mainspring is a little weak, overall a nice example that no doubt saw much action 

EW1135.   Ames Model 1835 dragoon saber in very good condition, the blade is full length and retains its bright finish, it has a few tiny nicks to the edge, the ricasso is engraved N.P. AMES / CUTLER / SPRINGFIELD 1835, and the inspector initials J.M., the obverse is engraved UNITED STATES above a simple floral engraving, the blade fits tight to the hilt with only a slight wiggle, the grip has the original leather wrap and wire braid, the leather shows wear, the brass guard is in great shape and has a mellow brass patina, the scabbard is also in good condition, it has a couple of large dents, probably intentional anti-rattle dents, and a few small dings, it also has a small split on the underside, the drag is inspector marked, this is a rare saber with only 6,100 produced

DC639.   Confederate infantry button in very good dug condition, it was dug by Kenny Banks in a 1862 / 63 CS winter camp in Tullahoma, TN, iron back with a strong, straight shank

M1149.   small Jennie Wade clay canteen, Jennie Wade was the only female fatality at Gettysburg, she was hit by a stray bullet as she kneaded dough in her kitchen, these souviner canteens were popular at Gettysburg in the 1940's, measures 1.25" in diameter, the front features a photo of Jennie and is marked  CORRECT PHOTO / JENNIE WADE, the reverse is marked JULY 2, 63 / THE ONLY LADY KILLED AT GETTYSBURG, the string "sling" is loose on one side  

CP608.   Confederate true snake buckle, while all of this style are referred to as snake buckles, most are two headed ducks, this is a true snake design with strong detail to the head and scales on it's back tapering to it's tail, the underside has accurate belly scales, the belt loops are heavily cast and stand 58mm tall, the snake is40mm long

UP1276.   U S waist belt plate in great dug condition, the face has strong letters, no damage other than a few small dings from service, has an even, dark brown patina, the reverse has full, slick lead, arrow hooks, the coolest thing is the soldier lightly carved PEACH TREE into the lead at the rim, cool buckle

A887.   U S Ordnance Dept. watercap fuse dated 1863 in great condition, the top is clearly marked ORD D / 1863 and with an anchor, this fine example was recovered at Fort Fisher, NC many years ago

DR5190.   approx. half of a U S plate and half of a U S bit boss, these were dug in a Confederate cavalry camp near Wartrace, TN, there were several U S plates recovered there with the lead melted out of them, there were also broken and whole U S bosses recovered there, the Confederates were melting the lead out to cast bullets and removing the U S bosses from captured bits, makes a cool display

M1148.   compact, pewter cased camp mirror in very good condition, measures three inches in diameter, top of the case has an attractive design, the case is hinged so that it can sit on a shelf or has a ring for hanging, the mirror is in good shape with a few spots and one small chip, it will look great in a camp or personal effects display

A886.   Confederate Archer bolt for a three inch rifle, it is the style with 3 grooves, the lead sabot as usual is MIA, the iron is strong and stable with only minimal surface pitting, nice bolt

UP1275.   Model 1851 sword belt plate in good dug condition, it was recovered many years ago in Murfreesboro, TN, it is the enlisted man's / NCO style that had the applied silver wreath, as usual it is mostly gone with just a small amount remaining by the wingtips, there is no damage, the reverse has the early style long, narrow tongue hook, displays well

EW1134.   French import short sword in very good condition, the blade is full length and free of nicks, it was period sharpened and is still very sharp, it has a mottled medium gray patina, the ricasso has a clear Paris armory mark, the blade fits tightly to the brass hilt with no wiggle, the grip has concentric circles and is in great shape, has a mellow brass patina 

DR5189.   here is a unique relic, a soldier modified skeleton key recovered many years ago at Fort Fisher NC, apparently the top of the key broke off and the soldier melted a large lead grip onto it to be able to continue using, it measures 4" x 1.5" and weighs 4 ounces, the Confederates were always under equipped and found ways to make do with what they had, cool relic

CP607.   South Carolina panel plate measuring 63 x 80 mm is in very good condition, the face has strong detail and a pleasing copper patina, the reverse retains the tongue hook and the belt bar with both tongues, really cool thing is that it came loose and the soldier did a field repair to continue using, he accomplished this by placing two small holes into the edge of the plate and inserted the bar through these and then peened the ends, great example of Southern ingenuity 

L488.   U S plate on its original regulation belt, the plate is in very good shape, it has a small push to the rim past the S, it has a pleasing mellow brass patina, the reverse has full, slick lead and arrow hooks, the leather belt remains strong and pliable with uniform crazing, you can see the outline of a maker's or inspector's mark but I can't make it out, there is one small split in the leather that has been reinforced with wire, has the brass keeper

DR5188.   crossed sabers cavalry insignia in good shape, they were dug many years ago in the Shiloh, TN area, 3.25" wide

DR5187.   dug bugle mouth piece recovered many years ago at Fort Fisher, NC, it is in good shape, 2.1" tall

M1147.   Hawksley rifle powder flask in very good condition, measures 8.5" tall x 4" wide, copper body has a few small dings, the cap is marked C & J W HAWSKLEY SHEFFIELD, many Southern boys carried these civilian flasks off to war

A885.   James Type I bolt for a 14-pounder James rifle cannon in very good condition, this fine example of this scarce projectile was recovered in the Shiloh area several years ago, the iron is strong and solid with only slight surface pitting, the birdcage base is damage free, great artillery relic

F1301.   Manhattan Navy Revolver in very good condition, the metal is smooth with a medium brown patina, the 6.5" barrel has a clear MANHATTAN FIRE ARMS CO NEWARK, NJ / PATENTED MARCH 8, 1864 marking, five shot .36 caliber cylinder is marked PATENTED DEC. 27, 1859, the action works well, the walnut grips are in good shape, the right grip has three initials very lightly carved into it, matching serial numbers, these revolvers were a stiff competitor to Colt once Colt's patents had expired, and many were used in the war

DC638.   Confederate script I infantry button in great dug condition, the face has an even brown patina and no pushes or damage, the reverse is in equally fine condition with a straight shank and a good S Isaacs Campbell & Co / London / 71 Jermyn St back mark, it is a little faint but completely visible

DR5186.   very unique brass spur found in a Confederate camp, it is a very unique spur with Confederate characteristics, the end of the neck appears to have been an animal / bird head but the rowel has rusted into it, and I can't tell for sure, measures 5.75" from the strap boss to the rowel, one leg has a large M M lightly carved into it, cool spur

DR5185.    U S rosette recovered many years ago at Fort Clark, it is the larger size measuring 1.5" in diameter, it has strong letters with a dark brown patina that really stand out against a lighter brown background, the reverse has full lead, the attachment bar is MIA, the digger lightly marked it F C for Fort Clark, cool find

DR5184.   eight side umbrella inkwell dug many years ago from a trash pit at Fort Fisher, it is in great dug condition without cracks, chips, or breaks, it has only had the dirt rinsed out and has slight cloudiness, has a slight greenish hue, has a great open pontil mark on the base

F1300.    Savage Navy revolver in good condition, has a seven inch octagonal barrel with a brass bead front sight, the frave has a clear Savage address and patent info, these weapons had a unique action with double triggers inside a heart shaped trigger guard, the larger ring trigger would cock and index the cylinder, the smaller upper trigger would then fire it, this was a complicated action that usually doesn't work properly if at all, but this one is crisp and functions perfectly, the two piece walnut grips are in good shape, this is a rare weapon to find with only 20k ever made

EW1133.   French import short sword in an original scabbard in good condition, the blade is full length, it has some very minimal surface pitting, the tip is slightly blunted, the ricasso  has a good Paris marking, it fits tight to the brass hilt with no wiggle, the hilt is in great shape and has an attractive mellow brass patina, the scabbard is strong and the stitching is intact, the leather has some finish loss, the brass throat and drag are firmly attached, the drag has a small crack, very nice example of the sword that the Ames MOdel 1832 short artillery sword is patterned from

A884.   Confederate 12 pounder cannon ball in very good dug condition, the iron is strong and stable with a dark patina, it has only minimal surface pitting, it has a clear mold seam, it took a wood drive in fuse

CP606.    lion head with snake connector buckle in great dug condition, unfortunately only one of the lion heads were recovered, measures 87mm long overall, the snake is 40mm long, the lion head is 42mm tall, high relief being 15mm thick with a concave reverse, has an even bronze patina, a very rare find that will stand out in any collection

UP1274.   very nice U S waist belt plate that was dug back in the 80's in Murfreesboro, TN, the face still has the dirt on it, looks like it would clean up slickly if desired, has the slighest push on the rim left of the U, the reverse has slick lead with just a few flakes at the edge, "puppy paw" stud hooks, great plate

CP605.   solid cast C S clip corner waist belt plate in very good condition, measures approx. 45 x 72mm, the face has very well formed, large letters, has a raised rim, this style had black enamel paint on the back ground, face is near perfect except for a few tiny dings on the letters, the reverse has long, narrow hooks, the tongue hook was broken off, no doubt why it was lost, this fine buckle was purchased by Steve Mullinax from the digger and sold to a well known collector in the 1980's 

L487.   here's a way cool relic, an early U S waist belt plate with puppy paw hooks that has been crudely trimmed down removing the rim, it is on a well worn leather belt, oral history is that it was worn upside down by a Georgia trooper, I have no way to verify this, but I have no reason to doubt it, and it certainly has that look to it, the face has several dings from hard, extended service, the reverse has full lead except for a small area at the rim, just a super cool looking piece that was likely Confederate used

UP1273.   Federal drummers sling plate / drum stick carriage in very good condition, measures 80 x 92mm, brass clip corner plate with two ringed tubes attached for carrying the drum sticks, has a dark brown patina, the reverse has the wire hook firmly in place, great relic I seldom see anymore

L486.   here's something you virtually never see anymore, a pair of white leather, officer's gauntlets in very good condition, they measure approx. 13" long x 7" wide when laid flat, the leather is strong and supple, it has slightly yellowed from age and use, most collections are missing these

DR5183.   an Enfield socket bayonet that was fashioned into a pot hook, the iron is strong and stable with moderate deteriation, recovered many years ago in the Fort Fisher area

DR5182.   three Federal Model 1859 regulation spurs, each has a strap boss MIA and one has part of the neck broke off, this one had a hole drilled into the leg to continue using, one had the broke leg ground down

M1146.   brass G A R marker in great shape, measures 6.25" x 6.25", the center features raised  G A R over 1861 / 1865 on a stippled background, the reverse has the maker cast in, L.W. Parker of Ciyde, OH

CP604.   Confederate snake buckle in very good condition, large, heavily made buckle to stand up to hard use, the belt loops measure 57mm tall, the snake measures 42mm long, while we call all of these snake buckles, it is actually a two headed duck with great detail, has a mellow brass patina, displays well

L485.   regulation .58 caliber cartridge box in good condition, the leather is strong and supple with slight crazing, has a nice U S plate with a mellow brass patina, the reverse has both belt straps and is maker marked by S.H. YOUNG / & CO / NEWARK / N.J. which is a scarce maker to find, retains the roller buckles and closure finial on the bottom, also has the interior metal inserts, nice box with that used but not abused look

F1299.   small boot or pocket pistol in decent shape, it has a two inch long, .30 caliber barrel, half round / half octagonal, bar hammer, the frame has roll engravings, two piece walnut grips are in good shape, the trigger and trigger guard are MIA, these were widely carried as a personal defense weapon, displays well

DR5181.   nice grouping of 17 bayonet scabbard tips, most are in good dug condition, a few have minor damage, 1 saber bayonet tip, 2 Confederate tips, 1 Enfield, the remainder are Springfields, makes a nice display

DR5180.   here's a cool find, a "Christmas" spur, they got this unusual name due to the patent date of Dec. 24, 1861, it is a Model 1859 and the patent is actually for the decoration on it, these were private purchased by officers, this one appears to have been violently torn away

CP603.   Confederate forked tongue or wishbone buckle in excellent dug condition, it is a large size measuring approx. 95 x 65 mm, it is just as dug with no damage or repairs, the tongue moves freely, it has an even medium brown patina, retains a good body curve, nice buckle

DR5179.   dug regulation Model 1859 smooth side canteen recovered from the well known hospital trash pit that was unearthed during the construction of Titan Stadium in Nashville, TN, this pit was hit about ten feet deep and the relics that came out of it were in very good condition, this canteen is rusted but very solid, one side has a large period hole that was punched inward, the opposite side has several small holes, retains one strap bracket and remnants of the other two, the pewter spout is also present and firmly attached, the canteen was one of the soldier's most important piece of equipment

M1145.   small brass martingale in good used condition, measures approx. 1.75" tall x 1.75" wide, the face is in good condition with several small dings from use, the reverse has full lead backing and the four attachment wires, this smaller size would have been mounted on a larger size leather heart backing, cool relic

M1144.   Mary and baby Jesus in a small brass case, during the Civil War many of the soldiers were very religious and carried icons of their faith for comfort and protection, small with the statue measuring one inch tall, it was easily carried in a pocket, I can easily imagine a soldier nervously holding this before marching into battle 

F1298.   Allen & Thurber pepperbox pistol in very good condition, four-inch, six shot, fluted barrel marked ALLEN & THURBER / WORCHESTER, the bar hammer is marked ALLEN'S PAT. 1845, .31 caliber, the action is strong and functions, rolled engraving on the nipple shield, frame, and back strap, the walnut grips are in great shape, this one is much nicer than most I see

CP602.   heavy, stamped brass, clipped corner Confederate buckle in great dug condition, measures 83mm x 57mm, the face has an even, brown patina, the reverse has a small scrap brass tongue hook, the cross bar is MIA, the really cool thing is the soldier lightly carved his initials H B into it, it also has stars and what most certainly looks like a C S battle flag below the initials, faint but there, way cool plate