Pvt. Henry S. Allen Artifacts

By John Sexton · Originally published October 2016 · pp. 26–27

Dear Civil War Appraiser: I have no interest in selling but would like to know insurance values on Civil War memorabilia here. H. S. Allen was an ancestor of mine from my father’s side. There is a slogan on the right buttstock which reads “Though Hell and traitors join to fight, God will uphold the humble right.” The major battles are carved into the left buttstock, as well as his name and info on the left side of the lock. The two volumes of the Conn. 15th Volunteers are shown, as well as the blurb on H. S. Allen. Besides the musket, there is the bayonet, what’s left of the scabbard, a bullet box with cartridges, caps, and tools, two small boxes with buttons and a medal, a small tin of matches, a 3 lb. cannonball, a canister shot, the knapsack with various belts and buckles, eating implements and a pepper shaker, etc. I also have a large pocketknife at home with his name carved into it. The last photo is of the woodworking tool box, looks like a pirates chest, filled with moulding planes, saws, etc. It appears that he liked to carve his name on his belongings, as he did so to many of the items in the collection. John Linsley, Mass. Mr. Linsley: What a wonderful grouping of one soldier’s memorabilia you have maintained, it all appears so untouched all these years. The cartridge box with sling and eagle plate, cap box, bayonet, knapsack, GAR badge, Union knife, mess gear, canteen and other bits and pieces are relatively common to Civil War market, and similar groups are often found for about $2,000-3,000.

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The musket you inherited, however, is unique and valuable. Finding carved wood souvenirs from the Civil War is not uncommon but professionally carved items fall into a higher realm of collectability, “folkart.” Carved muskets captured from coastal areas early in the war are most common, often possibly carved by sailors who commonly carved items shipboard and sold their craft for a fee. Muskets were heavy and bulky souvenirs and rarely were taken home unless easily transported. Early Va., N.C. and S.C. coastal assaults and campaigns, where U.S. forces were shuttled back to NE by transport ship produced most such items. As noted by Henry S. Allen’s war history, he enlisted October 20, 1861 in the 1st Conn. Artillery. In September 1862, he joined 15th Conn. Infantry and served throughout war only to be captured March 8, 1865, one day before Lee’s surrender at Kinston, N.C. He was then taken to Libby prison in Richmond, held for two weeks prior to liberation, then returning to Kinston for garrison duty before being mustered out at New Berne, N.C. March 27, 1865. He was then taken by ship transport back to Connecticut. Being taken by ship, he was able to take all this gear home. I imagine he carved the 1864 Springfield rifled musket while traveling home after Kinston as the war was over. Your ancestor was a carpenter after the war as noted by the large chest of tools you also inherited. He obviously had real skill decorating his last issued musket with his name, unit, battles and a great rhyme. Carved muskets with capture information are common to the market. Those that are well carved generally sell for $8,000-12,000. The best have sold for $25,000-50,000 at the peak of Civil War market in late 1990’s through mid-2000’s. I have never seen a better one privately owned for aesthetics or condition. For insurance scheduling, I would value at no less than $20,000-25,000. The rhyme sets this gun apart. John is an certified appraiser with International Society of Appraisers specializing in Civil War memorabilia. He authenticates and evaluates other rare and valuable historic items also. Send “Ask The Appraiser” questions and photographs to [email protected].

Three battles of the 15th Conn. carved on the buttstock. Mr. Linsley’s “folk-art” carved musket of ancestor Private Henry S. Allen, Co. I, 15th Conn. Inf.”

Tin match safe with original wood matches.

Henry Allen’s mess gear, rarely preserved.

Allen’s cartridge box and original tins and .58 caliber cartridges.

Rare rhyme found on folk-art carved Civil War musket.

U.S. .58 caliber Springfield bayonet.