JohnOrtegae
Private
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2018
I am wondering if it is possible to identify the types of fragments these are.
I can see Dowler....seems like it also says Fleming...at least I can make out mingIt is I see a few 12lb a 6lb a Parrott and the other long one I'm not sure of What is the back-mark on the CS script A button.
It is I see a few 12lb a 6lb a Parrott and the other long one I'm not sure of What is the back-mark on the CS script A button.
Unfortunately the A button is a post war restrike, the Dowler buttons known to be war date all have a backmark "W Dowler Superior Quality" and no known artillery A buttons are known to exist either on uniforms or dug. Dowler did restrike buttons from the late 1880s all the way into the 1900s for reunion and other purposes. Most likely the collector did not know this at the time and purchased a reunion button for his display.I was able to look closer without disturbing the piece of uniform. It is marked Dowler Birmingham
The issue with early collections is the lack of research material available and the prevalence of Centennial and reunion retrikes by companies such as Bannerman and Stokes Kirk. Many early collections are full of reproductions and restrikes collected as originals. My early days of collecting were full of mistakes and I paid dearly.
Heck I was also on the lucky side as new research has converted a few Enfields from US arms to known Confederate purchases.
I'm following your eBay site and that collection has many incredible pieces, my favorites so far were the John Bachelder letter and the Appomattox Parole book!
Just be careful as there is no doubt that the original compiler of the collection either did not know he had many reproduction/restrikes or was using them as placeholders until he could replace with the real thing. I would say that most of the Confederate pieces are questionable.