This is a beautiful Civil War veteran’s GAR kepi in complete and excellent condition. The verbal provenance that came with this piece identifies it to Pvt. Frank E. Cooley, Company “H”, 8th Massachusetts Regiment. The kepi is constructed from fine navy blue wool and remains in about 99% mint condition except for two or three extremely small and insignificant moth holes. Attached to the front is a finely detailed gilt metal wreath with silver “GAR” letters in the center. There is a gold bullion chinstrap held in place by two small GAR buttons, which runs below the wreath and is attached at the sides by the buttons. The leather bill remains firmly attached to the kepi body and the leather sweatband is 100% intact. The liner is constructed of black cotton material with a magnificent Wm H. Horstmann, Philadelphia maker’s logo printed in silver on the interior top stiffener. This kepi is a very attractive example in absolutely fantastic condition and one that would be next to impossible to up grade.    

This is a super rare Civil War Copper face block “I” button with the stars circling the border in complete and excellent condition. This button has a perfect face with no pushes or dings and is complete with its full tin back AND eyelet. The tin is heavily rusted as can be expected after almost 150 years in the ground. The copper face is a thing of beauty to behold and with a deep and even reddish brown age patina overall. The eyelet is still strongly attached to the reverse side and is in excellent condition. This button was recently unearthed in the vicinity of Appomattox Court House by a local relic hunter who also had the good luck to find a second such button six inches away from in the exact same condition as this one. This second button is being offered as item #11 elsewhere in this section. This is an extremely scarce Confederate button that sells for over $2,500.00 in non-dug condition.

004 - CIVIL WAR U.S. OVAL BELT BUCKLE – NON DUG

Price: $325.00

This is a beautiful unmarked Civil War U.S. belt buckle with arrow hooks that remains in beautiful non dug condition. The shape of the plate is similar to that of the W.H. Smith buckles and box plates although this one has arrow hooks and is unmarked. It retains 100% of the lead filling on the reverse side with all the hooks intact and without damage. The lead has turned a nice dark gray color and is completely without damage as well. The face of the plate has a very attractive overall mellow age patina. A nice looking Civil War belt plate in excellent condition.

Here we have a beautiful Grand Army of the Republic medal set in a Bailey, Banks and Biddle presentation case that is in excellent condition. There are two medals in this set with one being a Post Commander’s medal and the other a standard GAR member’s medal. The Post Commander’s badge consists of the standard GAR star planchet suspended from a wide pale blue ribbon with vertical American flag embroidered on it. It is suspended from a broach that is a facsimile of an Infantry Colonel’s shoulder strap. This piece is flawless in condition with a strong, solid ribbon that exhibits vivid color, a perfect top broach with fully functional pin assembly and a finely defined bronze star planchet that retains much of the original luster. The medal has a VERY early number stamped into one of the arms that reads, “S 61”. The second medal is a standard type 5 GAR medal that is numbered “V 1613” on one of the arms. The star planchet is in excellent condition retaining virtually all of it original luster and exhibits very fine detail. It is suspended from a perfect American Flag ribbon with the eagle broach at the top having the camp fire logo on the reverse side and a complete and fully functional pin and catch assembly. The luster to the broach matches that of the planchet perfectly. Both medals are housed in a magnificent purple case made by the prestigious Philadelphia firm of Bailey, Banks and Biddle. The case is purple in color and has a hard lacquered exterior and a dual section interior for holding the medals. Each half of the case houses a single medal and has a plush purple pad on which the medal rests and a luxurious purple satin pad that forms a pocket for the planchet at the lower end. One of the pockets has the manufacturer’s name, “Bailey, Banks & Biddle Co., Philadelphia” in beautiful gold leaf script. The case measures 2 inches by 4 inches by 1 inch thick and shows some slight wear to the edges of the exterior. This is a superb ensemble of the highest quality and quite fitting for a former Civil War veteran now officiating as Post Commander of a GAR post.