Ames Staff Militia Officers Sword ca. 1830s. This is just a wonderful pre-war sword that would have continued in use during the Civil War. The sword is in just super condition with great engraving and a very nice Ames Chicopee address. The scabbard is nice with the dings that would be expected for a weapon that was probably carried during two wars.
$1375

My favorite relic hunter and I on the campus of University of the South. The Army of Tennessee moved up from the flat land below pursued by Ole Rosie. Federal troops wrote home about the same view that you are seeing now. 

Fishing near the old road used by both Confederate and Federals. They camped here after making their way up the four miles from the flat land. To see a video of how relic hunter catch fish click here.

Cut down N Starr Cavalry Saber. I have sold several of the full length Starr's of the years and once you see a full length one you understand why they cut these down for Civil War use. The N.Starr and US are knee deep and clear as a bell. This is probably the least expensive way to own a Confederate sword. I say Confederate because no self respecting Federal would carry a weapon like this but Johnny Reb would have been pleased to have it and so will you.
$695

U.S. Model 1840 Cavalry Saber. Made by Sheble and Fisher of Philadelphia.  This is a great example of the classic saber used by both sides during the war. Sheble and Fisher was a small manufacturer. Their products were actually made in Frankfort PA. and issued mainly to Pennsylvania troops. This example has a very nice blade with the usual marks of age. The guard has a very pleasing patina and the original leather washer. The grip has 95% of the original leather that is thin in a few places. It looks like Sheble and Fisher used thinner leather to begin with. The scabbard has a nice uncleaned color with sturdy mounts and rings. This old wrist-breaker would be a nice addition to any collection.
$825

My favorite relic hunting buddy and I took a short break during a hunt the other day of a small Confederate Camp we were digging with Larry. Not too many relics, a bullet and a harness buckle but the time spent together was priceless.

Larry can find relics and catfish with equal ease. He helped my relic hunting buddy reel in this bruiser. I don't know who was having more fun. The fish was glad to get back into the water.

1858 New Model Army. Other than Colts, this was the most used pistol in the Civil War. This one has a chocolate brown patina, walnut grips in good condition, and an action that just super. It has serial number 71700 with legible barrel marks that show some wear. It is stamped NJ for New Jersey. This is classic side-arm that wants to be in your collection.
$1295

If you wondered why there have not been any relic hunting pictures recently, it is tough to find lost relics when it is so easy to lose your relic hunting buddy. She is standing up and is four and a half feet tall.

But, in a small patch of clover, surrounded by four foot tall hay, we still found a section of trace chain and the camp lead pictured above.

Ames Model 1833 Foot Artillery Sword. Stamped United States 1838 WS on one side and NP Ames Springfield with Eagle on the other.The blade is very nice with some areas of discoloration that do not take away at all from the over all appearance. The scabbard is what it is. The finish has flaked off revealing the dark buff leather beneath. The scabbard is fragile and missing leather at the bottom but it's there. From the Roman Gladiators to the U.S. Civil War this sword is a classic.
$650

Very nice .69 cal. Model 1842 3 band musket. Metal is clean with no pitting what so ever. Lockplate is marked
U.S. Harper's Ferry 1851 w/ eagle. The barrel is marked 1852.  Marks are as deep and crisp as the day it was made. The stock has beautiful color and crisp sharp edges. There are two cartouches opposit the lockplate and a soldiers initials are carved into the stock. The carving was done with great care and finesse. The action is crisp with no burnout around the nipple. This is a weapon that is nice enough for the collector of any level. It is one of the more sought after Harper's Ferry models.
This is a museum quality piece.
$2250

1862 Enfield. This classic Civil War weapon has it all. The wood and metal very nice and the date and crown on the lock are so crisp and clear that you can read them from across the room. The stock maker marks are just super and the desirable 25 25 are faint but can be found on the left of the barrel. The nipple protector, ramrod and long range sight are present and ready for duty. The bore is superb and there is no burnout at all. There is an old quality repair to a crack in the wood just behind the lock but this icon of the Civil War has so much eye appeal that it just wont matter. The icing on the cake are soldiers initials nicely carved opposite the lock. I sold an identical Enfield, minus the repair, a few week back for $1500 but this one can find a new home with you for just:
$1325

The picture does not do this Civil War artifact justice. When I saw this last week my jaw dropped I thought 'what a cool Confederate canteen'. Turns out many folks from the war until now thought and think the same thing. This is, however, a Cincinnati Depot canteen and is in the canteen book. It is described there as a "tin oblate spheroid canteen approx. 7 inches in diameter with a tin spout, brown woolen cover and standard U.S. cotton sling. The brown wool cover is very nice and has never seen a single moth. You have to see this one to appreciate the cool factor.
$495

We had a little rain in Middle Tennessee.

Civil War officer's desk. This group includes a very nice desk, pre-war letter and post-war Confederate soldier's watch. The letter was written in 1856 by a man named Clairborn to a law firm in Franklin, TN addressed to Thomas Parkers Esq. The law firm was active during the war representing clients for everything from slave disputes to compensation for property seized by the government. This letter has a tone that indicates that Mr. Clairborn was very unhappy regarding some sort of financial situation. The watch came from a museum that was in Chattanooga for many years. It is a Waltham that was made in the mid 80's and is inscribed with the name James Levy. Levy was in a TN unit during the war. I don't have his specifics at this moment but do have them. I just need to find the paperwork. The '49 Colt is not included but it does look cool with the group.
$750

This is the Colt 1849 pocket pistol pictured but not included in the officer's desk group from above. The numbers all match except for the period replaced wedge. The cylinder engraving is nice and there are patches of the original silver on the trigger guard. Metal has a pleasant patina and the wood is nice with the usual dings one would expect. Overall a very nice Civil War pistol.
$1125

Infantry Officer's  hat insignia. Approx. 3 inches by 2 inches black velvet and bullion missing one loop on back. This is a very cool relic and the price is right.
$295

Artillery Time Fuzes. Each of these packages hold 5 fuses buy just the pack you need to finish your collection or buy all three to start one.
$55 each or all for $150

Artillery Fuzes. This is a 10 pack of 14 second fuses. The dimensions of this pack is the same as those above but they are in two layers of five each.
$75

Somerville Light Infantry belt plate. This is obviously the tongue of a tongue and wreath but given a choice I would rather have this than the other. The Somerville Light Infantry was a Mass. unit that joined the war effort in 1861 and fought all the way through. They were assimilated into a larger unit but I don't remember the whole story now. I read somewhere that there is still a monument to their valor in Somerville. Some more research from the buyer can make this rare artifact even more interesting.
$250

Remington Conversion of the Model 1816 Musket. From 1855 to 1858 Remington Arms modernized the .69 caliber 1816 flintlock to the Maynard Tape Primer system. This example is stamped on the lock behind the hammer with Remington's Ilion N.Y. 1857 U.S. and on the tang 1857. The action is armory crisp and the Maynard system functions as well as the day it was converted. There is some wood missing from the area above the lock but it has been gone for a very long time. There is a brass screw in the wrist but there is no reason for it as the wood is sound without even a hint of a crack. Two nice cartouches are stamped opposite the lock and aside from what has already been mentioned the wood is in good shape. The metal parts are nice with a pleasant patina. Excellent  examples of this weapon sell in the low $2000's. This very nice example is a bargain.
$975 Sold

Group of four Civil War buttons. This group includes two staff and two infantry buttons as well as a glass display case.
$70

Group of six dug Civil War eagle buttons. Glass display case included
$70.

Civil War Infantry Hunting Horn Insignia. This the large CW insignia with both loops still firmly attached. I have four of these beauties available. Three have both loops and one has a single loop. Save $5 by ordering the single loop.
$75 each

Another beautiful day for relic digging in Middle Tennessee.

Federal bullet right where it was dropped in 1863

My little rebel couldn't wait to pluck this out of the ground. You can still the impression where it used to be, right above her index finger

A handful of cool relics from the edge of a cavalry camp.

U.S. Model 1840 NCO Sword. Stamped U.S. ADK 1864 on one side and Ames Chicopee  on the other. The blade is nice. The color is dark. The grip and knuckle bow have a great patina and look just great. The scabbard is a good news/bad news thing. Bad news is there isn't one. The good news is that you don't have to pay for it.
$375

Civil War era small powder flask. This neat little relic is five inches in length and is unmarked. The spring is intact and functioning. When I see these common unmarked items I can't help but think 'Southern'.
$65

Excavated E.M.L&C. Richmond VA. Roman I. Just a good solid example
of a classic Civil War button with a rock solid address. Since there is
no shank, how about I pay the shipping.
$100

Nice Excavated U.S. Belt Plate
$185

U.S. Boxplate. Good plate with a great price.
$150

Nice Eagle Breastplate. Great patina on front full lead on back. Missing one loop on back but a nice relic at a nice price.
$150

Ames Peace Flask. Marked Ames and dated 1838. This flask has a super patina and is just a great example of an early Ames product.
$550

Civil War Canteen. This canteen is in great shape. It has the stopper and a period added blue wool cover. It would be a nice addition to your accoutrement collection.
$325

Union Naval Pouch. With a stamp this deep, there is no doubt when or where this was made. Great condition.
$425

Carbine Cleaning Brush
Perfect for you carbine display. The brush is complete, the brass is solid and the leather is strong.
$65

Civil War Cap Box. Do you think that this box saw service? The leather is in great condition minus the finish. The straps and flaps are all there and the stitching is solid.
$125

Ames Model 1860 Naval Cutlass. A great example of this cutlass is difficult to find. One with the scabbard is even tougher to find. One with all of these and the frog is just about impossible to find. This has it all! A super example of an iconic Ames product. The Ames stamp is knee deep. The Chicopee address is clear and the ADK inspection and date are right on the money. The blade has a great medium gray patina and is clean as a whistle. The knuckle bow has a knock your socks off patina. The scabbard has a little flaking on the bottom third but is otherwise in fine condition. The back of the scabbard has all of the rivets with a very pleasing old penny patina including the large rivet on the tip. The frog is the correct buff leather and is clearly marked USNY Boston 1865. With the almost impossible task of finding a frog I would not let the '65 date on a clearly war period cutlass get in the way of a obtaining a super rare relic.
$1495

Militia Cavalry Saber by Nathan Starr. Made circa 1808. Marked N Starr as seen in the detail picture above. While these sabers were issued mainly to New England militias, many found their way south prior to the Civil War. This two hundred plus year old weapon surely saw service in one if not all of the conflicts through the Civil War. The blade has some discoloration as well as pitting but so will you at this age. The wood on the grip is solid and the iron scabbard is perfectly serviceable. A great relic with an great story to tell. If only we could speak saber.
$825

Non Regulation Civil War Officers Sword. Made by and marked Clauberg with the obverse marked Schuyler Hartley&Graham. The blade is in superb condition with fantastic etching as seen on the blade detail picture. The iron guard has a nice patina(the bright eagle is from the lighting) and is solid as the day it was made. The fish skin grip and wire wrap are complete and in great condition. The scabbard is solid with a rich dark patina. Did I mention the blade is a work of art? The officer who carried this sword was as proud to carry it as you will be to own it.
$1175

Set of gun tools. Perfect to shadow box for your collection.
$155