Discussion When did mainstream collecting become popular?

[Jack7171]

I'm quite familiar with the world of collecting acw,,but I've had a few random, pointless questions about the hobby. When did private home collecting become popular for the average joe? I know with the prevalence of surplus uniforms and equipment that prop companies purchased large quantities for use on stage and screen during the early to mid 20th century, as it was cheaper than sewing costumes and making repro weapons
That being said, there must not have been much value to them other than props. I was watching a 1960 episode of the hit tv series "Wagontrain", where a cavalry sword was jabbed into the ground, and a flag hung from it. I'm guessing it would have been a legit acw sword?

 

[Kurtlg]

Francis Bannerman started buying surplus military weapons and gear in the 1880s. He had huge quantities of swords , firearms , etc. that he sold cheaply. I'm sure Hollywood acquired many items from Bannerman's . I would guess that Civil War collecting got a big push during the Centennial.

 

[Jack7171]

Francis Bannerman started buying surplus military weapons and gear in the 1880s. He had huge quantities of swords , firearms , etc. that he sold cheaply. I'm sure Hollywood acquired many items from Bannerman's . I would guess that Civil War collecting got a big push during the Centennial.

Yes, Bannermans was the go-to for nyc theatre costume and prop companies, and I'm sure supplied Hollywood as you said.

 

[R. Porter]

From what I can tell, collecting started during the war itself. See:

The Illustrated History of American Civil War Relics. By Sylvia and O'Donnell

The sword on the screen looks like it could be real but the image is not very good. Based on the shadow on the front of the pommel and the light reflected where the knuckle bow meets the pommel, it looks like it could have been a model 1872 officer's sword. Depending On the story, this could have been more accurate. As for the sword, due To military schools and other organizations, it may never have been completely out of production.

 

[Jack7171]

From what I can tell, collecting started during the war itself. See:

The Illustrated History of American Civil War Relics. By Sylvia and O'Donnell

The sword on the screen looks like it could be real but the image is not very good. Based on the shadow on the front of the pommel and the light reflected where the knuckle bow meets the pommel, it looks like it could have been a model 1872 officer's sword. Depending On the story, this could have been more accurate. As for the sword, due To military schools and other organizations, it may never have been completely out of

I couldn't get clear pics of it,, but it just made me wonder if prop companies had repro swords or not in the 1960s. If they indeed had real stuff, I can imagine they eventually unloaded a ton of stuff into the collecting world, and actually saved the things for 50 years that might have otherwise been discarded, sold overseas or just plain ruined. I know bannermans sold worldwide, but as far as prop companies were concerned, they were caretakers and didn't know it.

 

[R. Porter]

Yes, prop companies had original stuff. I don't know if or how they marked things, but occasionally you will see things for auction, which are real peri items with a prop company's initials or logo attached. They also had franken-items, I.e. made from a mashup of other items, some of which or all of which were period or at least old. They also had props cast from molds using period items or mashups.

The most interesting prop/costume story I've heard was that someone, in the 1990's maybe, bought a green jacket from a costume rental company that turned out to be an original uniform jacket for an officer of Berdan's sharpshooters.

 

[Josh The Lighthouse Guy]

I think collecting in general, other than family heirlooms and rich eccentrics, is largely a post-WW2 phenomenon.

 

[13 IL Cav & 64 GA Inf]

Yes, and

I couldn't get clear pics of it,, but it just made me wonder if prop companies had repro swords or not in the 1960s. If they indeed had real stuff, I can imagine they eventually unloaded a ton of stuff into the collecting world, and actually saved the things for 50 years that might have otherwise been discarded, sold overseas or just plain ruined. I know bannermans sold worldwide, but as far as prop companies were concerned, they were caretakers and didn't know it.

View attachment 495426

From what I can tell, collecting started during the war itself. See:

The Illustrated History of American Civil War Relics. By Sylvia and O'Donnell

The sword on the screen looks like it could be real but the image is not very good. Based on the shadow on the front of the pommel and the light reflected where the knuckle bow meets the pommel, it looks like it could have been a model 1872 officer's sword. Depending On the story, this could have been more accurate. As for the sword, due To military schools and other organizations, it may never have been completely out of production.

Yes, and the participants themselves saved items that were precious to them, and handed them down to the next generation.

 

[13 IL Cav & 64 GA Inf]

Yes, and


Yes, and the participants themselves saved items that were precious to them, and handed them down to the next generation.

For example, my second cousin presently owns the Civil War sword of our ancestor who was in the 13th Illinois Cavalry. His grandfather, brother of my grandfather, went to the funeral and my grandfather didn't attend, missing out on some great old keepsakes.

 

[SethJ]

My Grandfather was into the American Indian War. He's still around, and I've been put in the will for his entire collection (which he still occasionally adds to).

What blew my mind, was his collection of original CW stuffs. Just a few, but if he's right, it includes a CW sword belt and buckle, holster (which he and a friend used to make reproduction), buttons, and cavalry insignia.

He was big into history, and reenacting, as well as helping an ol' black powder expert with making historical reproductions.

 

[JackADriscoll]

One curious question. Was there any enemy items that union or confederate soldiers coveted like the WW2 version of a Luger?