Gleanings from the Franklin CW show.....

[Ken Knopp]

Alright boys (and girls) here are some neat "finds" from the Franklin CW show last weekend. Something for "everyone"!! ...."read em n' drool"...

Ken R Knopp

The CS plates: Alright here is something very cool and interesting. I have seen several of these small, oval “CS” plates now and I believe them to be legit but for what purpose, I do not know. Most of them are excavated and one of which was on a saddle (in my book page 71). I think all of them have been found in Virginia but I am not certain of that. Some folks speculate that they are for CS artillery saddles or just a variation. I am of the latter opinion. This grouping was allegedly found together which lends credence to the artillery saddle speculators but that really means nothing more.

Pre war or early war Federal bits with Regimental bosses: I don’t think there is any finer or larger grouping of these type bits anywhere. I know the owner and these are his specialty. Really cool!!

Original Federal Poster for purchasing horses: Speaks for itself

CS Kepi: I just snappped this photo and failed to get any documentation (sorry) Perhaps someone else did.

Colt NAvy and Colt Pocket Pistol Grouping in original box and accessories. Cool enough. I cannot add anything as it speaks for itself except if you got an extra $16k laying around these gems could easily be yours!

[Ken Knopp]

Re: Gleanings from the Franklin CW show.....

Fellas, Here are a few more....Ken R Knopp

Horse Shoes: Another cool photo! On the far left is medieval, 14th century horse shoe excavated from Germany. In the middle and to the right are Roman era horse shoes dug from early European Roman sites in Germany. Pretty cool huh? Very different from today. I know, NOT CW but still cool.

16th or 17th Century Spur: From the site of the 1634 Battle of Nordlingdon- Again not CW but cool

Militia Bridle: Interesting militia type bridle with similarities to Dragoon. This came in a grouping that included a small valise saddle (not sure why?) And a breast strap. See the breast strap photo. The two militia items are part of a set and are likely 1830's to 1850's but not Dragoon issue.

Leather Haversack: Belonged to Robert Branch Co. E, 4th Va. Cav. Apparently made from a CS “Y” strap saddle bag. Not clear if he used it during the war or not but likely.

Hand Forged bit possibly made on the M1859 or Dragoon bit pattern. Made of round iron stock and hammered out on an anvil. Confederate? Perhaps- but then this could have been hammered out in 1830 or 1880 for all we know..... no way to know for sure.

[volcav]

Re: Gleanings from the Franklin CW show.....

Good stuff! I like the Horses Wanted poster especially.

[Ken Knopp]

Re: Gleanings from the Franklin CW show.....

Just a few more.....


Comments Welcome!!

Ken R Knopp



CS Troopers bit: From around the Atlanta area.

Federal Valise: Interesting valise I.d.’d to W.T. of the 9th N.Y. Infantry. Black skirting type leather, 20 1/4 inches long by six inches in diameter. Strap buckles are 5/8's inches.

Artillery Valise Saddle: The owner (dealer) believes this to be a Confederate copy of the Grimsely valise saddle. I do not think so. Looks Federal to me. His argument is that its seat size is noticeably larger at 15 ½ inches. I think that while slightly different in some aspects it is still very similar to other common Federal valise saddles in pattern and materials (contractor variation??) so there is no valid reason to give it justice as Confederate and certainly no documentation. A common item but fun to look at.

LIttle Big Horn Battlefield Relic: This saddle was in the fight at the LBH. Lt. Nowlan brought it home from the battlefield in 1877 when he and other 7th Cav troopers and assigned details returned to Last Stand Hill to disinter Custer and other officers for burial elsewhere. An old tag accompanying it gives the very interesting details. Not often you see anything from the LBH outside of museums or very private collections. Due to its proven relationship to Custer and LBH this item is worth mega bucks!!

[David Fox]

Re: Gleanings from the Franklin CW show.....

Not Civil War, but 19th Century U.S: I acquired an ultra-rare M.1899 U.S. Army campaign hat in the balcony. Wire mesh ventilators just like the M.1883, but aluminum.

[wavey1us]

Re: Gleanings from the Franklin CW show.....

Just a few more.....


Comments Welcome!!

Ken R Knopp



CS Troopers bit: From around the Atlanta area.

Federal Valise: Interesting valise I.d.’d to W.T. of the 9th N.Y. Infantry. Black skirting type leather, 20 1/4 inches long by six inches in diameter. Strap buckles are 5/8's inches.

Artillery Valise Saddle: The owner (dealer) believes this to be a Confederate copy of the Grimsely valise saddle. I do not think so. Looks Federal to me. His argument is that its seat size is noticeably larger at 15 ½ inches. I think that while slightly different in some aspects it is still very similar to other common Federal valise saddles in pattern and materials (contractor variation??) so there is no valid reason to give it justice as Confederate and certainly no documentation. A common item but fun to look at.

LIttle Big Horn Battlefield Relic: This saddle was in the fight at the LBH. Lt. Nowlan brought it home from the battlefield in 1877 when he and other 7th Cav troopers and assigned details returned to Last Stand Hill to disinter Custer and other officers for burial elsewhere. An old tag accompanying it gives the very interesting details. Not often you see anything from the LBH outside of museums or very private collections. Due to its proven relationship to Custer and LBH this item is worth mega bucks!!

Ken,
Pretty neat LBH relic. It would be amazing if it can be determined what variation of McClellan that is. There are some people believe that 7th were still using a mix of 1858s McClellan and 1872 variety of McClellans. It is hard to determine from the picture of the saddle was covered at one time.

[Mark Choate]

Re: Gleanings from the Franklin CW show.....

Ken,

At the show, on the upstairs portion (near where Greg Daimwood was set up) was a really incredible collection of spurs under glass. I am sure you saw it, but wondered if you got a photo? The fella was pretty cordial, but don't know if he would allow a photo. That collection was unbelieveable.

thx,
Mark

[forrestcav]

Re: Gleanings from the Franklin CW show.....

I like the looks of that first bit Ken. Kinda reminds me of the bit I use on my bridle. I hate I missed the show this year.

[TexCavly]

Re: Gleanings from the Franklin CW show.....

Ken,
Pretty neat LBH relic. It would be amazing if it can be determined what variation of McClellan that is. There are some people believe that 7th were still using a mix of 1858s McClellan and 1872 variety of McClellans. It is hard to determine from the picture of the saddle was covered at one time.

If you look at what is left of the rawhide it shows a row of holes I suppose for the screws that held on the skirts. That would say 59 Mac to me. There is a piece of the original black leather skirt hanging on, as well as pieces of the quarter straps.

[Ken Knopp]

Re: Gleanings from the Franklin CW show.....

Mark, The "spur guy" you make reference to is Sanford Potts from Columbia Tenn. An old friend of mine. He and his wife have been displaying their wonderful spur collection for many years now. Your right, great stuff there. I especially like the Leech & Rigdon variations and the "excavated" spurs with the original buckles. Really gives one an idea of the type and size buckles that were commonly employed (i.e. usually 5/8's horse shoe and rollers). Notably, the differences from what we as reenactors use (usually wrong in size and almost always wrong in pattern) and that the period rollers are usually a bit different than the common rollers made today.

John, I think you are right in that the LBH tree is a 59. One "expert" said it had components of the 59 and 72 variations but I am not so sure. My understand is that most trees of that period were modified 59's from left over war surplus. But I really dont know.
Oh, I almost forgot one photo that I am sure you will like....One collector there had a grouping of Texas cavalry accoutrememtns and weapons. I took the photo below of a portion of that display; that which belonged to (according to the tag) 1st Lt. Mathew Hardie, Co. F, 27th Texas Cavalry, Randals Regiment, 1st Texas Lancers.

I have a few more photos from th eshow but these are the best ones. Glad everyone enjoyed them. These and others will find their way to my web site later this weekend.

Ken R Knopp

https://www.confederatesaddles.com

[wavey1us]

Re: Gleanings from the Franklin CW show.....

If you look at what is left of the rawhide it shows a row of holes I suppose for the screws that held on the skirts. That would say 59 Mac to me. There is a piece of the original black leather skirt hanging on, as well as pieces of the quarter straps.

John,
It is hard to tell from the picture. They were taking 59s and making the needed modifications to convert them to 1872s to include sending components to post saddlers to make the conversions. Without taking a closer look at the saddle it would be hard to determine exactly what it is.

[TexCavly]

Re: Gleanings from the Franklin CW show.....

Awesome picture I like that buckle! That pattern seems to show up in a lot of pictures, anybody know of a repro out there? I've also seen other holsters with an added end cap like that. I wonder why? Seems to me like it would be better to drain water if it was open instead of closed. What kind of saber is that?

[Forrestcavalryman]

Re: Gleanings from the Franklin CW show.....

I believe that's an 1833 Dragoon styled saber, IMO the most well balanced saber made.

[Paul L Muller]

Re: Gleanings from the Franklin CW show.....

Are these items there to be sold or it this a show only? If they are for sale, what kind of prices are we looking at, reasonable or way out of reach? I would be tempted to travel to see such a show but I fear that it would be like going to a stripper bar...you can look and drool but you can't have. plm

[CompanyWag]

Re: Gleanings from the Franklin CW show.....

Are these items there to be sold or it this a show only? If they are for sale, what kind of prices are we looking at, reasonable or way out of reach? I would be tempted to travel to see such a show but I fear that it would be like going to a stripper bar...you can look and drool but you can't have. plm

Lately I've stayed away from both collectors' shows and stripper clubs as I prefer to avoid frustration...though even if you can only afford to look, you can learn much from either.