Collection of Unusual Artifacts
By John Sexton · Originally published July 2018 · pp. 26–27
Dear John: I just went up to get the chest from my father made by my Great-Grandfather. My Great Grandmother first showed these to me in the 1950’s. They moved to Ohio from Ulysses, Kan., in the early 1900’s when Ulysses went bust. Her husband showed them in a local fair every year for a fellow who gave them to him. He died in 1948, prior to my birth, so I do not know how long he had them. There is a US belt buckle with the leather belt on it, a metal powder dispenser, leather gloves (still soft), and another shot dispenser. Also, there is a wallet my great-grandmother says he carried with him. I also have an octagonal barrel percussion rifle with the hammer underneath that I can’t identify and a wooden canteen with a note [saying] it was made around 1812. Other items in the chest include gloves that I am not sure if [they were] cavalry or Civil War, Chief Red Cloud’s quiver and arrows, and tobacco pouch. C.C. Austin, Texas
Dear C.C.: Your ancestors’ diverse belongings found in the trunk have been well-preserved. John J. Rosson of Huntsville, Ill., does appear in the Civil War roles as enlisting in Company F, 119th Illinois, Aug. 8, 1862, and being discharged at Mobile, Ala., Aug. 26, 1865. The only item in this trunk that may have been Private Rosson’s during the Civil War is the wallet with his GAR card. The belt pre-dates the war and is actually a model-1840 enlisted dragoon sword belt, which is quite scarce, but was obsolete by the Civil War. Similar examples can be found priced for about $1,000. The canteen indeed dates to the War of 1812 era as noted on the tag and would have market value of about $600. The rifle is a unique American underhammer rifle, unknown maker with a value of about $400-600. The powder flasks are civilian and have values of about $25-35 each. The gloves or gauntlets are typical of Indian War era cavalrymen and similar examples are priced between $100-150.
The most interesting items in this trunk are the 3 beaded Indian artifacts, which all appear to date 1870–1880. The moccasins would have pre-sale estimate of $600-800 and the bandolier bag $1,500-2,000. The most valuable items are the Plains Indian beaded quiver and bowcase with the accompanying tag that states they were taken from Chief Red Cloud. It would be hard to give 100% credence to the tag as it only lists arrows and a tobacco pouch; there is no tobacco pouch here, and no mention of quiver or bowcase, but the arrows and their associated quiver and bowcase do date from the period stated on the tag. Even with no direct historic tie to Chief Red Cloud, they would still have a pre-sale estimate in auction of $6,0008,000. I spoke to several Indian artifact dealers and auctioneers who concur with this evaluation. It would be interesting to see what they would actually sell for in this particular climate where Indian War material has been strong.
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 as well. His website is www.civilwardealer.com. He is coauthor of the book Confederate Bowie Knives (2012) by Jack Melton, Josh Phillips and John Sexton, that was published by Mowbray Publishing Inc. Send “Ask The Appraiser” questions and photographs to [email protected].
Fine Plains Indian beaded quiver & bowcase with two metal-tipped arrows. gloves.
Beaded moccasins also appear to be Great Lakes in style, and possibly later than bandolier bag or quiver.
