Accoutrements

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South Carolina Two Piece Militia Officer's Waist Belt Buckle Circa 1845 - 1860

British made / imported, heavy cast brass pre war ornate Officer's Sword Belt Buckle. Matches well to plate shown in O'Donnell's American Mil. Belt Plates book (Plate 285). Non-dug. 45 x 93 mm, wreath height 48 mm. Buckle has nice age patina.

Buckle is seen being used from a image of Major General M.L. Bonham - veteran of the Mexican War and Commander of SC Army in 1861 till he retired to politics in 1862, becoming SC Governor.

Buckle is is well made with bench marks and has high relief and detail on the round tongue and hasps.

Comes in Riker case from NC collection. $4200 Now $3500

South Carolina Officers Gen. Bonham and Major J.J. Lucas 15th Battalion wearing British made SC buckle

Rare Casting Flawed Confederate Two Piece CS Sword Buckle / Belt Rig On its Original Leather w Hanger Straps and Parking Hook

Shown in 1st Edition of Mullinax Book – Plate 051 - It is rare to find a flawed cast belt buckle and one that has a high rarity rating per Mullinax assessment. Once owned by famous collector and gun expert Norm Flayderman. Mr. Flayderman often put five point star on his artifacts. The confederate buckle maker sought quantity over quality with the buckle subsequently assembled into a leather belt with bullet stitching used.

The brass parking hook and shoulder loop also show casting cavities / flaws.

Mullinax Belt Plate Rarity 9 – Large CS Coin Type Disc – Associated w Army of Tenn - "Tongue is same style as previous specimen" (Plate 050 - See image below from Mullinax Book).

Strong overall leather condition including hanger straps with no problems.

This belt was probably used by a Confederate cavalry soldier A rare and very unique sword belt rig for for number of reasons. Price $14,500

1834 Pattern Large Infantry Shako Cap Insignia Circa 1835 - 1850

A large crossed tassel infantry horn with three attachment loops on the back. Used by officers and volunteer militia, occasionally seen in Civil War dug relics. Matches to Figure 304 in O'Donnell Am. Military Headgear Insignia. Very nice stamped brass item. Note: These prewar infantry insignia were still used to some extent by southern troops as seen on an image of Pvt. Henry Speck, Co. B, 6th NC State Troops "Flat River Guard"

Price $350

Civil War Osnaburg Woven Haversack w Original Internal Rice Bag and a Soldier Repair

A very nice soldier Mass. Militia issued canvas haversack with a hand sewn repair patch ~3" x 4" on the reverse - the hole was probably worn into the sack while carried over the shoulder and rubbing on the soldier's waist. With the closed flap, the sack measures 10 1/8" tall x 11" across bottom. There are usage stains on the bag, both front and back. The two flap buttons are bone and there are two inner smaller bone buttons used to attach a second bag or pouch, sometimes call a "rice bag". That rice bag is present A few small sections have frayed material on the bag edges and strap, but overall the sack is sound. There are no gussets. A great example of a soldier haversack. Price $950 Now $850

Rice Bag shown above.

Note: The haversack shown on the right is identical to the one being offered and is stencil marked to a MASS regiment - sold for over $2000.

Federal Haversack shown on the left is from Sylvia/O'Donnells' Book "Illust. History of Am. Civil War Relics"

Soldier repair shown above

Enlisted man's Cartridge Box Plate From Wilderness W Relic Diggers Detail on Back Dated 5/28/7?

Nice box plate from Wilderness Battlefield area - comes with provenance from Horse Soldier of Gettysburg. Comes in Riker case and Horse Soldier Authentication Price $275

Brandy Station Excavated Two Piece Virginia CS Buckle

Typical Plate used by Confederate Cavalry and Artillery Units

A very nice example of a Virginia style two piece buckle excavated at Brandy Station as a marked on the back of tongue by the digger. Buckle has nice green patina and is in strong condition. Dimensions 50 mm x 85 mm. Matches with Mullunax Plate 009 in his expanded book "Confederate Belt Buckles & Plates".

The Civil War Battle Map of Brandy Station below shows possible sites of the buckle's place of excavation. The battle was the largest cavalry engagement of the Civil War but did involve light artillery cannon from both sides. A documented pickup from Brandy Station - Comes in a Riker case Price $.3200 ON-HOLD

High Grade Non-Dug "War of 1861" Gen. McClellan Gold Gilt Brass Officer ID Tag

For 2nd Lt. Wm F. Smith Co. B - 115th PA Infantry Price $1600 Now $1300

Tag features a bust view of General McClellan on the front and is maker marked "F. B. SMITH" along the lower portion of the shoulder with a general's shoulder strap. Disc tags marked by F.B. Smith are very scare.

The reverse is stamped "LIEUT. WM. F. SMITH CO. B 115th REG. P.V. PHILA. PA".

Lt. Smith would be commissioned into Company B as a 2nd lieutenant in January, 1862 but served ~ 11 months before being discharged in December 1862. His short term of service may account for the beautiful condition of this tag.

Apparently Lt. Smith lived in Philadelphia and was a member of the Anti-Slave Holders Society per a 1899 article form the Phil. Inquirer.

His full name is William Fishbourne Smith and was married to Emily G. Smith. He was born 1839 & died 1919. He may have been a man of significant means and was involved politics as well. War may not have been for him. See grave marker for him at Woodlands Cemetery in Philadelphia.

A excellent example of a high grade Civil War Id tag. Most ID tags are dug. Comes in a Riker case with various documentation.

115th PA Battle Record:

Second Battle Bull Run - Battle of Fredericksburg - Battle of Chancellorsville - Battle of Gettysburg
Bristoe Campaign - Mine Run Campaign - Battle of the Wilderness - Battle of Spotsylvania Court House
Battle of Totopotomoy Creek - Battle of Cold Harbor - Siege of Petersburg

Very Fine Gardner Confederate Dark Cherry Wood Canteen w Original Spout, Sling & Carved Letter "J" For Regimental Company or Owner - Soldier Repair Made to Sling

Canteen is rock solid with no wood gaps as often seen on face or rim, minimal usage marks and strong bands and sling loops. This is beautiful rich colored canteen with its original sling (not often found with canteens) and has a sling repair made by its owner. Canteen has an attached old ink marked collector or museum inventory tag "166". Mouth piece is solidly attached. One of the best examples. Price $4800

Letter "J" carved on canteen face above - old inventory tag attached on sling loop right

Non-Dug US Federal Cartridge Box Plate w Original Loops - Nice plate for a box that needs a US Plate Price $280 Comes in Riker Case

Rare Two Piece Leech & Rigdon Cast Brass CS Rectangular Sword Belt Buckle ON-HOLD

Primarily Used by Officers and some Cavalry personnel based on current literature.

Only a very limited number of these buckles exist. This buckle comes as a consignment from a NC collector who has previously done historical research for Cowan's Auction for a number of years. It came from the collection / estate of Dr. John M. Murphy - collector and author.

Based on the buckle dimensions on known - reported examples, it appears the hasp elements of the buckle wreath and tongue were custom made to fit the belt width of the customer.

This buckle’s hasp height and overall length are: 50 / 51 mm x 86 mm

Mullinax Confederate Buckles Book: 59 mm x 85 mm

Kerksis Am. Military Buckles / Plates Book: 36mm x 86 mm

Midwest Civil War Relics Website: 35mm x 85 mm

2007 Heritage Auction: 50mm x 90mm

This CS buckle is somewhat crudely cast as stated in the book Collecting Confederacy by S. Pritchard. There is a solid age patina on the front and back except where a small portion on the back of the hasps and the front C letter were gently cleaned to reveal yellow brass. No numbers are showing in the castings. There is a crude round dimple near the top edge of the tongue between the C and S. This same dimple is shown in the photos from the Kerksis and Mullinax books.

This a fine very fine example of a rare Confederate war time belt plate. See photos including comparative one. Comes in a Riker Case

Price $15,000

Left photo from 2007 Heritage Auction

Dug US Federal Cartridge Box Plate w Original Loops - Found in Raeford NC area where Gen. Sherman marched through to Fayetteville NC in Mar. 1865 and burned the arsenal. Comes in Riker Case Price $280 Now $230

Crudely Cast Georgia Confederate State Seal 2 Piece Waist Belt Plate - Locally Cast

This buckle comes as a consignment from a NC collector who has previously done historical research for Cowans Auction for a number of years. This buckle came from the collection of Russell Morgan and was found in the Gettysburg area.

Per both Mullinax and Kerksis books on buckles & plates, this variety of a Georgia belt plate was made in some sizeable numbers on a local - in state basis from higher quality/better detail real buckle examples to prepare a sand molds.

The dimensions of this buckle are: hasp height: 46/47 mm x 83 mm overall length

Mullinax two examples: 46 mm x 86 mm and 47 mm x 79 mm

Kerksis example: 51 mm x 84 mm

This very scarce buckle is on the heavy side with nice age patina showing high copper content. Comes in a Riker case. Price: $5900

Excavated Georgia State Seal Oval Cartridge Box Plate

Found in late 1980’s along the Ogeechee River Near the Large Confederate Earthen Fort McAllister

On July 7 1861 Company A - 1st Georgia Infantry ("DeKalb Rifles") was detached and ordered to build a fort with available materials south east of Savannah to protect the city from naval / land assault. In addition to the DeKalb Rifles, a cavalry unit, known as the Hardwicke Mounted Rifles, protected the fort. The Hardwicke Mounted Rifles were under the command of Capt. Joseph McAllister after whom the fort is named in his honor because he owned the land.

Union attacks on the fort occurred on July 1 & 29 1862 along the Ogeechee River on which the fort was built.

After the encounter of July 29, the fort was reinforced by members of the elite Savannah Republican Blues and Martin's Light Battery. In September, the DeKalb Rifles were ordered to withdraw, a movement they completed in October.

They were replaced by the Emmett Rifles, 2nd Co B 1st Georgia Regulars.

A number of battles with Union gunboats took place on November 19 1862 and January 27, February 1 & 28, and March 3 1863. The fort was finally captured on December 13 1864 and with its capture ended Sherman’s march to the sea. A total of 9 battles took place with Union forces at Fort McAllister over 3 plus years.

The GA cartridge box plate was probably lost by a soldier of the Republican Blues or the Emmett Rifles. These Georgia State Seal box and belt plates were generally made prewar by Gaylord.

The number of existing GA State Seal cartridge box plates is probably lower than the equivalent belt buckles based a statement from Bill Gavin’s 1963 Book “Accoutrements Plates / North and South 1861-1865 based on his statements: At least three specimens of the oval state seal box plate which were converted into belt plates have been noted, all in a uniform manner leading to the conclusion that this was a systematic alteration.

From the book “Confederate Odyssey” Geo. Wray Civil War Collection it is stated in 1861 state authorities ordered cartridge box plates to be altered into belt plates using a three copper wire soldered belt hooks.

A very nice box plate example with its loops from Georgia. Price $4800 Now $4200

Excavated Civil War US Union Eagle Breast Plate - From Fort Blakely AL

Recovered in the 1990's by Larry McCoy of Mobile AL

The Battle of Fort Blakeley took place from April 2 to April 9, 1865 in Baldwin County, Alabama, about 6 miles north of Spanish Fort, AL as part of the Mobile Campaign of the American Civil War. The Battle of Blakeley was the final major battle of the Civil War, with surrender just hours after Grant had defeated Lee at Appomattox on the morning of April 9, 1865. The Union forces had about 16,000 men including 5000 USCT (United States Colored Troops). Confederate forces numbered 3500.

The casualty figures are approximate, but an estimated 75 Confederate soldiers were killed, with over 2,800 captured - 150 Union troops were killed with 650 wounded during the siege and assault.

The eagle plate has fine even patina and original loops on the lead back. A relic with some provenance from the Civil War's last battle. Comes in a Riker case. Price $295

Great Example of Confederate Drum Type Tin Canteen w Original Sling and Cork Stopper

A wonderful original tin drum canteen with original cotton strap and its roller buckle for sling length adjustments by the soldier as well its cork stopper. This is the classic style of a tin drum canteen seen in many war Civil War images. Complete with its original tin spout, attached cork and all three sling keepers present. The soldier tied a string to the cork and a sling loop so it would not easily get lost. The end of the sling show a hole or two when the hand forged roller buckle was being used to adjust the overall length but presently the sling is tied into a knot.

The canteen seams are solid and tight as well as the sling loops and mouth piece. Measures 6 5/8” in circumference by 1 13/16” wide. The total body is solid with with no deterioration / holes. One very minor dent and a few minor light scratches from age and use. Metal surfaces have a nice aged patina and the circumference shows the shadow outline of the cotten strap over time. A great addition to any collection. Price $2800