Inscribed with Chevalier Opticien, Paris. The french were considered the premier optical manufacturers in the world during the Civil War. Most period used binoculars were from France. This pair is of the period design and style for the era.

Binoculars (French)

Peace flask showing heavy field use. These flasks were use in the early part of the war for accurately measuring the powder in muzzleloading firearms prior to the introduction of the paper cartridges. Many personally owned firearms did not have the standard caliber size for the pre-packaged cartridges and rounds so the flasks were still used throughout the war. These flashs were called "peace" because of the clasps hands on either side. Please note the faint US on the shield over the cluster of arms.

Peace Powder Flask

Nice pair of Maine officers coat cuffs. These would have been on the uniforms of the field grade officers. Note the Great Seal of the State of Maine on them. This pair was manufactured by the Scoville Manf. Co a premiere supplier from Waterbury, Conn.

Maine State Seal Officers Cuff Buttons

Union Infantry hat pit. Although, these pins were not general issue they were available from Sutlers ( Traveling salesmen that followed the Armies around selling various military and non-military wares). These pins were approved for wear on enlisted men and officers that served in an Infantry unit. Most were worn on their hats with many purchasing the units numerical designation in brass to be pined in the loop of the horn.

Infantry Hat Pin

5TH Corp Pin

Another Sutler piece designating a Corp. Corps were large military units that were comprised of several divisions made up of several brigades which in turn were made up of 4 to 6 regiments. Every Corp within an Army had a Corp symbol. This pin was the symbol for the 5th Corp of the Army of the Potomac. Great pride was taken by the men of their Corp as well as their regiment.

Great bulls eye canteen with original cloth cover, shoulder strap and cork stopper. These canteens were covered with whatever cloth was available. I have seen them in blue, brown, green, grey and red. The term "bulls eye" comes from the circular reinforcing rings on the steel halves. You can see the imprint of the smallest circle through the cloth on this example

Bullseye Canteen w/original blue cloth covering

Cartridge box for the Union enlisted man that carried the .58 Cal. Model 1861 Springfield style rifle and all subcontract rifles. This one has the tins intact and the brass box plate. This is an early example because as the war dragged on the cost of the brass box plate coupled with the need for brass for weapons and bullet manufacture forced the plate to be replaced with US being embossed into the leather.

Early .58 Cal. Cartridge Box

Excellent example of a Union officers buff sword belt. These would have been worn by both foot, staff and field grade officers. Unlike the enlisted mans belts these were not tarred but left in buff leather. The buckle shows much of the silver gilting on the crest beneath the eagle.

Buff Officers Waist Belt

Nice period shot flask with cork stopper. Although, there is little evidence that shotguns were widely used during the war I am sure there was the occasional wall hanger over the fireplace that was pressed into service. Here is a fine example of the type of flask that would have been carried into the field to pour shot into the muzzle of a shotgun.

Vintage Leather Shot Pouch

Cavalry or mounted troop Carbine rifle hanger swivel used on the horses saddle strap to clip on the upper ring of the riders rifle to keep it. from flailing around and hitting both rider and horse. Used in conjunction with the carbine boot (thimble) it was quite effective.

Cavalry Carbine Swivel

Nice grouping of accoutrements belonging to hard fought New York soldier Isaiah Sawyer. Sawyer fought with the 27th New York and 97th New York Infantry Regts. He was involved in every major battle of the Army of the Potomac. This grouping consists of his waist belt with buckle, cap box with plate, shoulder strap with breast plate and cartridge box with an embossed cover.

Identified Soldiers Grouping

Civil War Sword Belt shoulder sling

Here is a late CW/Indian wars canteen with U.S. stamping. Shows possible blood staining on both sides of the cloth cover.

Late CW and Indian wars canteen

Leather Cavalry Carbine boot. These were used by Cavalry that carried the repeating carbine rifles. The top ring in the rifle would be attached to a swivel on the saddle and the muzzle of the gun would slide into this boot to keep the weapon flopping around when under full charge.

Cavalry Carbine Boot (Thimble)

These rare Volunteer Maine Militia belt buckles were worn by the early regiments formed from existing militia units prior to the issue of the US buckles. This excavated example was found near Port Hudson, La. which would make it a probable match for either the 12th or 14th Maine Infantry Regiments which were both formed early in 1861 and fought in the Port Hudson Campaign. Many Mainers never traded these buckles for the US version due to the pride they had in serving there state.

Volunteer Maine Militia buckle

Forage Cap (Bummer) owned by Samuel Cromwell who was an artificer with the 1st Maine Heavy Artillery. He enlisted on 1/7/64 and was taken prisoner after the infamous charge at Colquitts salient on 6/18/64 before Petersburg, Va. He dies on 10/14/64 at Andersonville prison. He is buried in gravesite #10936 at Andersonville National Cemetery. He was from Waterford, Me.

1st Maine Heavy Artillery Forage Cap

Canteen carries by Sgt. Henry Howe with the 1st Maine Heavy Artillery on June 18th 1864 during the charge toward Colquitt's salient at Petersburg. From Eddington Maine Henry entered the service as a private in the 18th Maine Infantry which was later re-designated to the 1st Me HA. He was listed as wounded sometime in 1864.

1st Maine Heavy Artillery Canteen

Set of enlisted cavalry brass spurs.

Cavalry Spurs

Belt buckle belonging to 2nd Lt. George Blanchard from Calais, Maine, He was KIA at Spotsylvania Court House while serving with Co. E of the 7th Maine Infantry. He was with the 7th Maine at Gettysburg. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in gravesite # 26-5216

Lt George Blanchard (KIA) Belt Buckle

Rare NCO or Musicians Sword Baldic. This 2 pice sling is held together by the breast plate unlike the regular one piece Infantry styles. Note the slots for two edged weopons built into the sling.

Rare NCO or Musicians sword baldric

Dog tag belonging to Lt. James Pray from Gardiner, Me. Please read write up in picture.

James Pray, 6th Me. Battery Dogtag

Manns Pattern Cartridge Box

Manns Pattern cartridge box for 50-56 Cal. Carbine rifles. These were standard issue for Cavalry soldiers.

Leather artillery pouch were used for carrying primers and fuses for various artillery pieces.

Artillery Pouch

These private purchase percussion cap dispenser were popular with troops that carried hand guns. These gadgets sped up the installation of caps to the nipples on any firearm and saved having to reach into a cap box for a single cap.

Hand held Cap dispenser

Rare Longley and Company cap box. Manufactured in Lewiston Maine on a contract for cap boxes and cartridge boxes.

Rare Longley and Co. cap box

Cavalry Hat Pin

Powder Horn belonging to Sgt Charles Dearing of the 16th Maine Inf.

Hunting powder Horn

Battle Flag Finial;

Rare NY Navy Yard Fuse box.

This Fine Flying Eagle battle flag finial is an exact match to the one pictured on page 112 of Francis Lord's Volume I of Civil War Collectables. He describes it as a Maine battle flag piece

Nice rare CW 1864 NY Navy yard fuse box

E. Robinson manufactured Knapsack

Nice surplus Knapsack by Robinson

Rare Brass Flag Holder with harness. This style was used by flag bearers who were on foot.

Flag bearers belt and harness

Shoulder sling to be used with an officers sword belt