Accoutrements
Billboard Image(s) Not For Sale
American Revolutionary War French Officer's Gorget w Provenance
from the Family of Lt. Chalendar
This gorget is from the family of Lieutenant Andre Chalendar who was under the command of French General Rochambeau at Battle of Yorktown 1781. This rare and fine quality gorget is made of brass and silver showing the French Bourbon King's Royal Coat of Arms and is in very good condition. There is a very similar one on display at the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia's Old City District neighborhood.
A silk red ribbon was added for display to show a method an officer would use to attach the gorget around his neck. Additional details are shown from the provenance package that comes with the artifact. The gorget is displayed in a 14" x 10" glass covered wooden frame.
Geneal Rochambeau’s military exploits had a great impact on world history from his role in the American Revolution, when he brought some 5,500 French troops to America in 1780 to join the Continental Army and fight alongside Gen. George Washington to win freedom from British rule for the thirteen American colonies.
Rochambeau’s expeditionary force arrived at Newport Rhode Island in July of 1780. Under the impression France would be sending additional troops and because the Continental Congress could not fund any offensive campaign in 1780, Rochambeau’s army remained in Newport for nearly a year. Rochambeau and Continental Army commander George Washington held a series of meetings throughout that winter discussing their plans for a major operation in 1781.
Together, Washington and Rochambeau marched their combined force south to Virginia in 1781 and trapped British Gen. Charles Cornwallis and 8,000 British troops at Yorktown, forcing their surrender. It was a crushing defeat for the British army, leading to the end of the war. After the French fleet defeated the British naval force at Yorktown Rochambeau oversaw the month-long Siege of Yorktown forcing the surrender of Cornwallis and his forces on Ocober 19 1781.
A nice opportunity to own an personnal artifact from the American revolution. Price $3200 Now $2600
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Photograph of a French Officer Gorget from the Museum of the American Revolution above.
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 $750
NOTE: Haversack comes with a Civil War soldier tin plate, fork & knife, a clay pipe, small tin cup with handle and pair of spectacles with case.
Rice Bag above shown left and attached into haversack
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 sewing repair shown above
1851 Pattern Brass Eagle Waist Belt Plate w Gold Wash & Bench Number 462 Circa 1864 $495
A very fine example of a classic Civil War belt plate. There are hand stamped matching bench marks on the buckle and hasp, with the hasp number "4" skewed from the numbers. Matches well to Plate 663 in Am. Military Belt Plates by O'Donnell & Campbell. Comes in a Riker case.
Near Mint Condition British Gun Maker Robert Adams 56 Bore (44 Caliber) Double Cavity "Tailed" Brass Bullet Mold - Conical & Ball Style Very Scarce Price $695 now $625
R. Adams was a 19th-century British gunsmith who patented the first successful double-action revolver. Adams worked for the London arms manufacturers George & John Deane. On August 22, 1851, he was granted a British patent for a new revolver design.
His molds were often used with cased British made revolvers such as Adams, Tranter, Kerr, Deane/Adams/Deane and Beaumont Adams - many of which were imported to the USA, more particularly to southern states pre and early Civil War. The mold is marked "56" with an oval stamp "REGISTERED - 28 NOV 1851 - R. ADAMS". The mold sprue has original bluing and is overall blemish free. Adams produced his self-cocking or “double action” revolvers in a wide array of calibers, but by early 1853, the standard calibers were 38 bore (.50 caliber), 54 bore (.442 caliber), 56 bore (.436 caliber), 80 bore (.38 caliber) and 120 Bore (.31 caliber).
Some early British revolvers had no loading lever but the gun could be loaded with "wadded" ball. These were both round and conical balls, with a short small diameter pointed tang or tail cast with the base. In use, a lubricated felt wad was pushed onto the tang and protruding portion clinched over, securing the wad. Tailed bullets have been found at Civil War sites but are quite scarce.
This is a very fine mold in "unused" condition - a great addition to any military collection.
Above - Example of Adams Tailed Mold 54 Bore from The English Connection
Right - Examples of rounds cast from mold being offered
Right Bottom - Information on Tailed Rounds and their scarcity
Bottom - Examples #517 & #518 of dug, tailed conical and round type revolver bullets
Bullet mold includes 1850's Tranter Lubricating Bullets Tin - Japanned w label below
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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 and original to the canteen. One of the best examples. Price $4800 Now $4500
Letter "J" carved on canteen face above - old inventory tag attached on sling loop right
Canteen has original mouth piece
Pattern 1839 US Small Cartridge Box Plate and US Waist Belt Plate
w Maker Mark Stamp Stamped on the Lead Back on Each Item
"W. H. SMITH BROOKLYN" on Cartridge Box Plate
"BOYD & SONS BOSTON" on Waist Belt Plate
Small size non-dug U.S. regulation belt plate with single arrow hook and cartridge box plate with attachment loops, referred to as the “baby U.S.” buckle / plate by collectors.
This style was popular from the Mexican War period until the army declared it obsolete in 1857.
These US buckles continued to be ordered by several states, including Massachusetts, as late as 1862 and were carried into the Civil War. Two fine once used examples - Maker marked plates that have very readable logo are somewhat scarce. Plates come a Riker Case. Price $825 for pair SOLD
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
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Set of Brass Cavalry Spurs w Provenance from the 1st Maine Cavalry - Once Owned / Used by Samuel Harry Fowler - Co. I Who Fought at Gettysburg Price $1200
Cavalry spurs marked “RIA” (Rock Island Armory) accompanied by an old string tag that reads “Spurs, through the war of 1861-1865, in Battle of Gettysburg.” Tag reverse inscribed “From [Samuel] Harry Fowler to William H. Cummings, Sept. 3rd, 1912.”
Samuel H. “Harry” Fowler was a member of the famed 1st Maine Cavalry who served nearly the complete duration of the Civil War. He enlisted March 1 1862 as a private and was discharged Feb. 6 1865. The spurs came from a lifelong 1st Maine Cavalry collector Glen Gagne.
The 1st Maine Cavalry was among the elite Union cavalry and saw heavy action throughout Virginia. The unit participated in over 40 battles, including Antietam, Fredericksburg, Brandy Station, Hawes Shop, Gettysburg, Winchester, Second Bull Run, Cold Harbor and several more. Over the course of its long and active service, the regiment lost over 500 of its men.
From the Maine at Gettysburg Report of 1898 commissioned by the state and its Gettysburg Commission, there is direct evidence of the Samuel H. Fowler participation particularly on July 3rd 1863. The regiment was following Gen. Custer's Brigade who were defending against Gen. Stuart Brigades. Private Fowler appears to have attended veterans annual reunions based on documentation of the 1885 gathering in Portland.
The string tag references William H. Cummings. In 1912 Fowler was about 83 years old. He probably knew William Cummings from Co. I who died of disease on May 10 1863. Cummings was about 42 years when he died. It is surmised that Fowler gave his spurs to a relative of Cummings, perhaps a grandson or other relation.
Included with the spurs is a 23rd 1st Maine Reunion Banquet Ticket dated Aug. 9 '94 at the Hotel Heselton in Skowhegan ME. I have not confirmed Fowler's presence at this reunion.
A fine 1st Maine Civil War cavalry artifact with great provenance. All shown photos / documents and other supporting documentation come with the spurs.
Dug US Breast Plate Found at Mayre's Heights in Fredericksburg
Fine Breast plate with loops amd Dealer provememce letter. Comes in Riker Case. Price $275
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Civil War Confederate Rifleman "R" Button NON-DUG Price $575
Button is Albert #CS-201-A HT&B MANCHESTER. The patina and surface indicate it was probably on a coat at one time. Nice addition to any Civil War collection. No problems. Stippled variety - comes in a Riker case.
Albert #CS-201-A HT&B MANCHESTER Backmark shown above
Civil War Union Canteen w Sling and Cork Stopper
A very nice cloth covered smooth face canteen, Model 1858, with brown wool cover fully intact with one small tear on one side. Good pewter spout but no maker's mark. Solid canteen with no major issues. Price $450 Now $375
A Set of Original Tins for 58 Caliber Cartridge Box Price $195
Tins are fully intact
Late 18th - Early 19th Century Finely Made Beehive Powder Horn From North Carolina
From the collection of Bill Ivey of NC who wrote the reference book "North Carolina Schools of Longrifles 1765-1865", very fine example of a beehive powder horn with no worm holes or other surface blemishes. It has a very smooth finish with square nails holding the end cap, and a large iron nail attached to end cap to tie a carrying shoulder strap. The pour spout end is nicely carved in an octagonal shape with original wood stopper plug. No carved writing or initials on the body. The beehive end plug has seven rising concentric rings. A beautiful 12 1/2 inch length early musket size powder horn in excellent condition from Piedmont NC. Price $950
Above page image is from Bill Ivey's Book on longrifles
Dug Two Piece CS Waist Belt Plate Price $3500
A beautiful two-piece CS buckle found in the Fredericksburg VA area. The ground patina on the tongue and wreath is amazing and consistent as if it was painted on. The back of the wreath shows a trace of green from the brass. The buckle matches well with Plate #009 from Steve Mulinax's book "Confederate Buckles & Plates- Expanded Edition". This buckle has a Roman numerical III bench mark on the back of the wreath and tongue. The cast brass tongue shows a small casting flaw of excess metal in the upper loop of the letter S. The buckle is well detailed and solid - a very nice example.
Atlanta Style Non Dug Confederate CSA Belt Plate Price $3800
This is a nice Atlanta Style C.S.A. Belt Buckle with original untouched age patina. The letters "C.S.A." show oblong - out of round perods after the C. S. and A. letters rather circular periods. There are molding cavities and file marks along the four edges. of the plate. The plate is a little be crude in casting.
The Atlanta style name is derived from plates made in greater Atlanta area during the war. This one as described above is similar to the plate listed as Plate #099 in the book, "Confederate Belt Buckles & Plates- Expanded Edition" by Steve E. Mullinax which defined having irregular shaped periods. The buckle measures 47mm by 67mm in size and is a thick heavy weight type with wider more rounded point grooved hooks. The hooks are also raised as seen in Plates #096 and 097.
The buckle came from Roger Horsey (deceased) collection out of Hilton Head SC. Comes in a Riker case.
Shown right are examples of grooved and raised hooks from Plates 096 and 097 shown in Mullinax reference book.
