South Carolina Two Piece Militia Officer's Waist Belt 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 $3900

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

Rare Excavated Georgia Militia Irish Jasper Greens Officer's Two Piece Buckle

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Formed in 1842 and named for Revolutionary War hero William Jasper who was killed in the 1779 siege of Savannah, Captain John Foley's Irish Jasper Greens was one of Savannah primary volunteer militia companies, and the only militia from Savannah to serve in the Mexican War.  The 1st Volunteer Regiment of Georgia was created by act of the Georgia legislature in 1852. The regiment was mustered into Confederate service in May / June 1861. A portion of the unit was captured on the fall of Fort Pulaski. After an exchange of prisoners, the regiment was reorganized in October 1862 under the conscription act into 10 companies.

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Company A :

1st Company A: DeKalb Riflemen or DeKalb Rifles, Chatham County, (Augustus P. Wetter, A. L. Hartridge, Benjamin H. Hardee). This company subsequently became Company B, 1st Battalion Georgia Sharp Shooters.

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2nd Company A: Jasper Irish Greens of Chatham County - Officers John Foley, Martin J. Ford, John Flannery the original Jasper Irish Greens militia from the Savannah area.  When the transfer of Company A-1 DeKalb Rifleman was made, this became the sole company A.  It was such a large company from it's militia days that it transferred excess men to the Company B

In 1864 the 1st Georgia Volunteers was transferred to the Army of Tennessee fought in the Atlanta campaign.  Martin J. Ford of the Irish Jaspers became Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment. The Irish Jasper Greens wore dark blue shakos with white feather plumes and wreathed "IJG" insignia. They later adopted gray Confederate uniforms, as did the rest of the 1st Georgia. Initial weapons were probably M1842 muskets, as this was the most numerous weapon in Georgia arsenals. The Irish Jaspers received a silk flag in August 1861 - green on one side with an Irish harp and inscription "Irish Jasper Greens, 1842".

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This dug buckle was found near the Savannah River at the base of a road bridge into the city about 30 + years ago. It was purchased from the digger by well known Virginia digger Dennis Cox. It is a rarity 10 from Mullinax's Book (see photo) on Confederate Belt Buckles and there are only 2 known dug examples including this one. It shows years of ground action particularly on the disc, but it is clearly an IRISH JASPER GREENS buckle with an unusual lead filled tongue disc. 

Reportedly the excavation site was once part of the former homesite of the officer who wore. He is buried in Savannah Evergreen Cemetery (renamed Bonaventure Cemetery in 1907). Its possible owner could be Lt. Col. Martin J. Ford or Captain John Flannery. Flannery was born Nov. 1835 in Ireland/County Tipperary - died May 1910. More research would be required to identify the owner. Post war Flannery was a very prominent business and civic leader, banker and cotton merchant for many years in Savannah..

During the war Flannery was stationed at Lee Battery - garrison consisting nominally of nine officers and two hundred privates. On May 30 1861 Flannery enlisted as junior lieutenant in the Irish Jasper Greens, 1st Volunteer Regiment of Georgia, Confederate army, in which company he had served his state at Fort Pulaski earlier during the same year as a non-commissioned officer. Promoted January, 1862, to first lieutenant on October 20, 1862, he became captain of that historic company. He was in command of Lee Battery, Savannah River, for a year and until his regiment joined the army of Gen. Johnston.     Price $7500

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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

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

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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

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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. 

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

      US Brigadier General Epaulettes and Hardees Hat Insignia                                                   Price $1150.00

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An extremely fine condition pair of Brigadier General Epaulettes and near mint Hardees Hat Insignia. The epaulettes are probably Pre Civil War manufacture, circa 1850's.

The epaulettes measure 8 inches front to back and 6 inches across. They are in original condition, each epaulette stamped with a French hallmark, having an gold gilded US Eagle button and silver thread and sequin embroidered Star. Each epaulette has numerous twisted hanging gold gilded brass fringe.

The back of each epaulette is fully covered with red leather and red felt cloth including the comfort pillow. One epaulette is marked LEFT and the other is marked RIGHT. There are two minor tears to the leather of the RIGHT epaulette. The top surface cover and border of each epaulette are in strong condition.

The Hardees insignia is in near mint condition with original soldered wires.

Both epaulettes have a nice aged and rich patina on the brass.

The group will make a nice addition to any Civil War collection.

Very Scarce Dug Two Piece Virginia Officer Sword Belt Buckle - Recovered from West Woods Area of Antietam Battlefield (One piece cast round state seal disc / tongue bar)

Price $3900  Now $3500   ON-HOLD

Buckle comes with strong provenance – Reportedly from A.E. Brooks Collection - Comes with Letter dated 2019 from previous collector stating the buckle was found to be correct by two well known collectors/dealers. Buckle comes in a Riker Case.

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Based on high casualties in the West Woods, the two piece plate could have come from an officer of the 32nd or 15th Virginia. Both units were under Gen. Paul Semmes’ Brigade of McLaws’ Division. The violence of the fighting is seen in the bent buckle's hasps.  

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The 32nd and 15th Virginia regiments marched all night and arrived on the battlefield at Sharpsburg on the morning of the Sept. 17th. They were rushed to the left of the Confederate line about 9am as reinforcements as the remnants of Hood's Division fell back after their assault.

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The 32nd, with the rest of the Brigade, attacked north along the Hagerstown Pike from near the Dunker Church, and were successful in pushing the Federal infantry back to Poffenberger's Farm and their artillery, but suffered high casualties in doing so. After withdrawing to the West Woods for ammunition and rest, the Regiment was posted behind the Sunken Road near the Confederate Center for the afternoon, under long-range artillery fire, but not directly engaged.

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32nd VA: Initial Strength: 158; KIA: 15; WIA: 57; POW: 8; 3 Officers wounded, 1 Officer killed

15th VA: Initial Strength: 128,  KIA: 11, WIA: 58, POW: 1; 6 Officers wounded

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From the 15th Virginia, 14 officers entered the fight and one captain was killed and six other officers were wounded: Captain A. V. England, Co. D  was killed and wounded were Captain E. M. Morrison (commanding the regiment), 1st Lt. Bumpass Co. C, 2nd Lt J. K. Fussell & 2nd Lt J. H. Allen Co. G, 2nd Lt Berry Co. H, 1st Lt G. P. Haw, Co. I

From the 32nd Virginia  3 officers were wounded: 2nd Lt J. H. Barlow Jr Co. C, 2nd Lt H. S. Sinclair Co. I, 1st Lt Robert T. Willis Co. I                                     

                               Confederate Oval Rope Border CS Belt Plate 

                On Its Original Painted Linen Waist Belt  w Provenance to Battle of Shiloh  $8800

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  An very fine rope border CS stamped brass buckle on its original painted linen belt - the shadow impression of the oval buckle can be seen clearly worn into the belt surface. The plate measures 87 x 55 mm. One of the metal hooks has broken off above the base - but the buckle is in very fine condition with no problems on the face with great patina. The plate has crudely written on the upper back "Shiloh Chruch" indicating that a Union soldier or local citizen found this rig after the famous Battle of Shiloh April 6 & 7 1862.  These plates were probably made in Nashville Tenn. and used primarily in the Western Theater.

  The border stitched painted covered linen over cloth belt is together but shows some wear usage with two vertical cracks and three small areas of paint loss. It is generally in very good condition for its age with a rounded end. This is a rare and beautiful Confederate belt plate rig on its original belt with clear provenance to the Battle of Shiloh. Formerly from Wm. Erquitt Collection - this rig is shown in Don Troiani's Book"Civil War Soldiers" - page 110.   

A great buckle on its ORIGINAL LEATHER BELT  - not often seen.

Comes in a wooden glass lid display case.

                       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

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

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

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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

Civil War Brigadier General Shoulder Straps

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Pair of vintage Civil War finely embroidered one star general shoulder straps on black wool in near mint condition. 4" x 1.5" Leather backed with gilded stamp that reads "Joseph Starkey Manufacturer 23 Conduit Street London W". Housed in a Riker case.  Straps were once sold by Union Drummer Boy of Gettysburg. Price $1900  Now $1700

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

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

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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 Cowans 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.

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

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Mullinax Confederate Buckles Book: 59 mm x 85 mm

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

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Midwest Civil War Relics Website: 35mm x 85 mm

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2007 Heritage Auction: 50mm x 90mm 

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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 on Request 

Above 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.         Price $280  Comes in Riker Case

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. 

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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.

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

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

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Kerksis example: 51 mm x 84 mm

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

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Excavated Georgia State Seal Oval Cartridge Box Plate

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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

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