Help, relic info.

[Ashc]

Hey everyone thanks for accepting me to the forum. Im looking at getting some help on a relic that is in my friends possession. Im staying with a friend who has the item but doesnt know much about it. He has asked me to find out any information and the possible value of the item.

So the item is a framed gilded/gold horse, the case is wooden with a glass front. On the rear it has words carved into it which have at a later date been put onto a brass plaque. It says "John Cahill to James Dowling 1st July 1864"

Any information on who these were? Why did he receive this?

Please find attached photos of the item, internet is playing up a bit so may have to link up a seperate photo of the back plaque.

thanks a lot in advance

ash

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

Ashc,

The photos didn't attach, you may try to upload the images again or post a direct link.

 

[Ashc]

photo doesnt seem to be attached so this may work

http://s23.postimg.org/it0x3jtez/photo_6.jpg

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

That worked.

I can't identify the item, but I'm sure some of the members can offer some insight.
That saddle looks somewhat medieval or renaissance.

 

[ole]

That worked.

I can't identify the item, but I'm sure some of the members can offer some insight.
That saddle looks somewhat medieval or renaissance.

Was my thought, as well.

 

[James B White]

The horse looks like an exaggeration depiction of an Arab, short back, dished face. I wonder if that's some kind of tack native to where Arabs came from? I don't know enough about that to recognize it.

 

[nitrofd]

Interesting item, sorry no help from me.

 

[donna]

It is beautiful but can't help.

 

[unicornforge]

Interesting item, from the time period, but not necessarily related to the war.

 

[CMWinkler]

Welcome.

 

[E_just_E]

What you got here is a shadow box. Potentially a travel memento and potentially from an Asian or Northern African/islamic source. Are there any foundry marks (or any marks for that matter) on the sculpture? How much does it weigh? It the base of a different (non-metal) material? If so any idea what it is? Could you take a picture (or two) not on an angle of the details of the horse (saddle, blanket and face?)

 

[Ashc]

Hey thanks for the responses, heres a bit more information and a few more photos! The item is roughly 12 inches by 10, and weighs around 2lb with the horse weighing around 1lb. I believe it is made from gilding metal. Thats interesting to hear that its arabic. I assumed it was a military presentation from one soldier to another. Thanks

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

As it's a horse, I thought it might be cavalry related. So I searched CSA/USA cavalry units and found both names in the same unit only once.

So this a huge shot in the dark . . . but for what it's worth . . . I found two guys serving in the 2nd Regiment Massachusetts Cavalry.

John Cahill, Pvt. Company M
James Dowling, Pvt. Company F

Both of these companies were formed by men in San Francisco as part of the California Battalion of the 2nd Massachusetts.

2nd Regiment, Massachusetts Cavalry
OVERVIEW:
Company "A" organized at San Francisco, Cal., December 10, 1862. Arrived at Readville, Mass., January 4, 1863. Companies "B," "C," "D," "G," "H," "I" and "K" organized at Camp Meigs, Readville, Mass. Companies "E," "F," "L" and "M" organized at San Francisco, Cal., February and March, 1863. Left San Francisco for Readville, Mass., March 21 and joined Regiment at Readville, Mass., as California Battalion April 16, 1863.

http://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-battle-units-detail.htm?battleUnitCode=UMA0002RC

http://www.2mass.reunioncivilwar.com/

 

[Frederick14Va]

The saddle is very much like what is known historically as a Hussar Saddle. Presence of this combined with that style of shabrack & surcingle would tend to imply this could be something reflective of the Napoleonic War era. Its base and stance could also be something heraldic related such as once part of a family crest, hence it be carefully preserved in a frame in this manner. Nothing noted present that would suggest this is anything immediately related to the American Civil War... Just an opinion and observation...