Artifacts

An original Civil War Confederate Staff Officer’s coat button featuring the classic droop-wing eagle design. This locally made example was produced by an unidentified Confederate contractor and retains a substantial amount of its original gold gilt. The tin reverse loop has rusted away, as is commonly encountered on excavated examples after more than 160 years underground.

A great-condition, all-original Model 1858 smoothside canteen from the American Civil War (1861–1865). This pattern was widely used by both Union and Confederate troops throughout the conflict. Remarkably, the canteen retains its original canvas covering and a large portion of the original carrying strap. The canvas shows several holes and small areas of loss but remains largely intact. The tin body is exceptionally well preserved, with only a small chip to the pewter spout as shown in the photographs. An outstanding, untouched 160+ year-old piece of Civil War history.

A large excavated Civil War iron canister shot recovered from the ground. Canister rounds consisted of numerous iron balls packed inside a tin canister and were fired at close range, effectively turning a cannon into a massive shotgun. Used by both Union and Confederate artillery, canister was one of the most devastating anti-infantry munitions of the Civil War. Sold individually. Pictured: representative examples; each shot is excavated and varies slightly in surface patina. Pieces measure about 1.5" diameter. You will receive one of the examples shown, while supplies last.

A beautiful, intact two-piece Confederate Staff Officer's coat button manufactured by Casimir Rouyer of New Orleans, Louisiana. Buttons of this type were likely worn by Confederate officers from Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. This 22mm example retains a smooth brown patina and is in excellent overall condition. The face has a small dent and tiny crack near the 5–6 o'clock position, while the original shank remains intact but is bent over on the reverse. A scarce and evocative piece of Confederate material culture from the American Civil War.

An exceptionally well-preserved excavated Civil War U.S. cartridge box plate. Bearing the iconic raised "US" insignia, these plates were mounted to the leather flap of a Union soldier's cartridge box, serving both as insignia and as added weight to help keep the flap closed. The face displays beautifully for an excavated example, retaining excellent detail and an attractive aged patina. One original iron fastening loop remains intact on the reverse, while the other has rusted away during its many years underground. A classic and highly recognizable piece of Union Civil War equipment. This piece was excavated in Culpeper, Virginia. Note: The final photograph is an EXAMPLE reference image showing a plate mounted on an original cartridge box for context only — it is not the item being sold and is not included.

An exceptionally well-preserved excavated Civil War U.S. cartridge box plate bearing the raised "US" insignia. These plates were mounted to the leather flap of a Union soldier's cartridge box, serving as both insignia and added weight to help keep the flap closed. This example was excavated near Atlanta, Georgia. The face displays beautifully for an excavated piece, retaining excellent detail and an attractive aged patina. The original iron fastening loops on the reverse have rusted away during its time underground. Note: The final photograph is an EXAMPLE reference image showing a U.S. cartridge box plate mounted on an original Civil War cartridge box. The cartridge box shown is for illustration only and is NOT included with this purchase — only the cartridge box plate pictured in the first two photographs is being sold.