Misc. Dug Relics

Absolutely Superb Battlefield Souvenir/Pick-Up & ULTRA RARE US M1863 Artillery 33" Musketoon Rifle

Excellent True Battlefield Relic and Souvenir From Petersburg

Much of the Stock Still Intact, "1863" Lockplate Date Clear, Even Original Ramrod Still Intact!

A truer, nicer, and more unique "battlefield souvenir" relic you really couldn't hope for (well...unless it was a JS/Anchor Enfield with SC markings I had a few months back!)  This is an excellent example of the early battlefield pick-ups being gleaned by the locals in the South, who were trying to find any means of making money on the backs of their former foes (or whoever wanted to buy this "junk" littering their fields by the cart load!)  Many veterans--especially wealthy Northerners--made many journeys back to the scenes of the youth and terror of the war, and a fledgling industry began in the entire south (and places north like Antietam and Gettysburg) where these relic souvenirs were sold to visitors, or left out for viewing in one of their unique and quite artful displays.  In Petersburg, the "Fort Hell Museum & Souvenir Shop" was one of those early, pioneer operations which displayed and sold many unique and incredible artifacts from the surrounding Petersburg area.  This specimen, coming from there, is a fantastic example, not only in that it clearly was a piece picked-up within 20 years after the war (seeing the metal and wood condition), but that it is a much rarer US M1863 Artillery Musketoon, measuring 33" long (see Flayderman's Guide to American Antique Firearms).  Even the original, full-length threaded ramrod is present!  You can clearly read the lockplate date of "1863".  As was so common back then--and actually DID help the piece--it was coated with some poly or shellac of some kind, which truly did forever protect the metal and wood from further deterioration.  Thanks to that coating, it is 100% stable and solid.  With the aging of that coating, however, it has aged with a mellow-yellow patina--but hey--IT SAVED IT FROM DETERIORATING INTO NOTHING!  You can paint or "patina" it any color you want nowadays.  But I love it just the way it is.  Just splendid.

Sale Pending

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Exceptional Early Pick-Up LOADED Remington Army .44 Cal. Revolver

An exceptional condition and completeness example of an early-found/"battlefield pick-up" Remington .44 cal. army revolver.  This baby not only has the most perfect look (the right balance of slight ground action to give it the perfect "relic" look), but is complete in every way.  You can easily read the serial number 7095 on the inside frame. of Obviously not a "dug-dug" excavated specimen found in the last 40 years, but one picked-up as a souvenir, eye-balled, or plowed-up and put away as one heck of a "killer" relic weapon!  Best of all, three chambers are LOADED...AND...there's a round JAMMED IN THE BREECH!  Obviously, the officer or trooper with this weapon must have quickly realized that he had at least one (maybe two) rounds stuck in the breech of his barrel, and thus pitched the weapon in the heat of combat.  Though no provenance as to what battlefield are this came from, it is the last of the Kegerreis collection--which he lived and collected great quantities of Gettysburg items.  But we'll truly never know where it come from.  Regardless, it is as fine of a "relic" battlefield found revolver as you'd hope to ever have.  No need to upgrade ever.  Someone will treasure this specimen for decades to come...

LAYAWAY

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Outstanding Excavated Colt "Navy" Revolver

MATCHING 99035 JANUARY 1861 PRODUCTION HARTFORD COLT SERIAL NUMBERS & ADDRESS!!!

Arguably the Most Desirable & Collectable Colt Navy Serial Number Range EVER

The Consignor Says, "It's Time To Go!"  Price Reduced !!!

This little gem has an untold history it's dying to tell--which is what really appeals to any Colt or dug weapon collector.  Not only is it a Colt Navy revolver dug from the Vicksburg area decades ago, but is in such fine, early excavated condition that you can still read the matching serial numbers and some of the Hartford Colt address on top of the barrel.  But without question, the best appeal of this weapon is that the matching serial numbers are 99035...a JANUARY 1861 production piece!  The Hartford-made specimens in the latter 90,000 range, like this one, made in late 1860 and extremely early 1861 carry the greatest desirability among most collectors.  With the impending secession and conflict that was clearly at stake with Lincoln's election, many Southern states, arsenals, local Southern retailers, individuals volunteer Companies of soldiers, officers, and anyone wanting a good gun to "kill 20 Yankees" was purchasing weapons from Colt and other manufacturers up North--even after the firing upon Fort Sumter!  There were many shipments of these Colt Navy's sent south in the 90,000 range, especially right after the election of Lincoln through Fort Sumter.  Thanks to Colt's fine serial number production records that survive today, we know this piece was both made and shipped within January of 1861.  Among the Southern shipments were those made to retailers in Mobile, Alabama (if you ever watched Antiques Road Show at the Mobile show, you saw an elderly lady there in Mobile tote one in front of the cameras!) and even 17 Navy's were delivered to the famous Tredegar Iron Works in Richmond!  Given that this weapon was made AND shipped just days prior to secession--or mere days after secession began, all one needs to do is pay Colt the $400 for a serial number check to see what the records say as to who, what, where, and when this specific piece was sold.  I'd love to hear someday from the future owner that this was sold to Jackson or Vicksburg, Mississippi!

This piece also comes from the nationally award-winning excavated weapon display of my local good friend, Claude Maley.  As you can see, it has the quality and historical appeal that is worthy of any fine display.  The metal is virtually free of ground action and pitting, with the greatest detail of even the screws and trigger spring crisp and clear.  You know it's good if you can read ANY of the maker's mark/address or serial numbers.  The hammer is free, so you can move it at will in whatever position you like.  Sure--I wish the trigger guard and backstrap were present to make this one "killer" dug Colt Navy...but then it would be exorbitantly priced, too!  As it is, you get all the quality, history, and beauty for a very reasonable price...

  SOLD

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Fantastic Intact Excavated Colt M1860 Army Revolver w/Bullet Mold & Bullets on Display Plaque

From Historic Chickamauga Battlefield

You'll be hard-pressed to find a Colt Army revolver in this fine of excavated complete condition--and having the bullet mold to boot!  Excavated decades ago from the bloody and decisive Confederate victory at Chickamauga, Georgia, this excellent centerpiece-quality dug Colt Army with bullet mold come with a beautiful display plaque--ready to place on your wall in your "war room"!  It has the distinction of coming from the nationally award-winning excavated weapon's display of Mr. Claude Maley, my very good local friend.  The digger placed two unfired Colt Army bullets with the mold from the battlefield as well, so it really makes the entire display so complete.  There is essentially no pitting whatsoever on the revolver, and only the most minor "round action" to be seen at all.  It is such smooth, solid, stable iron on the weapon.  The brass has a gorgeous patina, and there's even a carved letter/initials on the brass backstrap of "R" or something else with it.  You can even read the matching serial numbers on the weapon!!!  How's THAT for quality!?  Doesn't get much better than this, my friends.  They aren't digging any more of them, and if they did, they wouldn't be the slick, phenomenal quality like this one!

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Very Nice Excavated Remington .44 Cal LOADED Revolver

I'll keep the parade of excellent quality dug guns heading your way!  Another fantastic displaying revolver, being a LOADED Remington .44 cal. Army Revolver, dug years ago.  It comes from the award-winning, stunning dug weapon display of Claude Maley, and it's quality obviously shows.  It has a great, early-dug look and condition to the piece, being completely stable and free of active oxidation.  Most of the chambers are still loaded, as you can see in the photo's below!  It is missing the loading lever, and the brass trigger guard is a modern replacement that was professionally added and aged for display purposes only--if you weren't familiar with Remingtons, and I didn't tell you, you probably would never have noticed.  But we don't pull any "stunts" like that here at Champion Hill Relics.  It looks fantastic with the piece, and you can always have it removed if it bothered you.  Regardless, it sure displays so well, and with those loaded chambers, will be a treasured addition to a dug weapon collection.

SOLD

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Phenomenal Excavated Pair of Allen & Wheelock Revolvers

.32 Cal. Long-Barrelled LOADED Revolver and .25 Cal. Pocket Revolver

How many dug Allen & Wheelock revolvers do you ever get to see?!  These two specimens are in excellent dug condition, being 100% complete (no missing triggers, hammers, cylinder pins, etc), with both having brass rimfire cartridges inside--and the .32 cal. revolver still has several loaded rounds!  The really cool history behind the .32 cal. A&W revolver is that is was dug from my late good friend's farm, Joe Ginn of Cherryville, NC.  Since both revolvers were only made from 1859 until 1862, these were clearly wartime specimens, and the .32 cal. revolver was out of the local NC cavalry camp on Joe's family farm.  All beautiful, and unbelievably rare to ever see these A&W's dug.  Truly "museum-quality".

LAYAWAY

.32 Cal. Allen & Wheelock Below

.25 Cal. Allen & Wheelock Below

 

Spectacular Dug Colt M1849 "Pocket" .31 Cal Revolver

Found Just a Few Years Ago in Athens, Alabama in a Federal Trash Pit

You know me and dug weapons--I get all warm and fuzzy when I can have spectacular quality specimens like this.  This piece was purchased from the digger just a few years ago from the long-term encampment of a Federal camp guarding the all-important railroad heading north out of Athens, Alabama, just a few years ago.  Forrest had actually attacked Athens and the fortifications north of town in 1864, though this specimen was not dug on the battlefield, but in a trash pit.  I was stunned by the completeness and beauty of such a recent find!  Now, it is back to the market so someone else can enjoy among the finest dug Colt Pocket Revolver specimen's ever found.  It's 100% complete--not missing not a single screw or nipple.  Even the spring in the handle is showing.  It even has a good portion of the original walnut grips!  Fantastic.  Matching serials seen on the brass frame, of course.  There's even ample original silvering on the sides of the frame (where the grips had once protected it).  No need to upgrade from this excavated Colt Pocket.  Doubt you'll see one better anytime soon.

SOLD

       

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Unmatched & Unprecedented Quality Excavated Colt Revolving Carbine

Stunning Condition, Completeness, & Rarity -- Dug From Hoover's Gap, Tennessee

ID'ed Exclusively to the Famous Wilder's "Lightning Brigade" (US) Armed With These

I have had the honor to behold several of the finest excavated weapons ever found--ever.  Without hesitation, this Colt Revolving Carbine and the "Dog River" sword last week are among the pinnacle pieces of all dug weapons that exist anywhere.  But this specimen has a provenance behind it that relates an incredible tale of the men, and the battle, in which this piece was fired in desperation against overwhelming odds.  In fact, it is a piece of history that only the most astute historians of the War know and understand.  Brig. Gen'l Wilder's Brigade, being newly designated as a "mounted infantry" brigade to help bolster the pitifully weak Union mounted service arm in Rosecrans army in Tennessee during 1863, would be armed with great effort (and even personal monies) with the latest and best repeating rifles and carbines available in 1863.  Though famously known for their Spencer Rifles they acquired, there weren't enough to be procured, so they also bought Spencer carbines, Enfield Rifles, and some Colt Revolving Carbines.  The Confederates in the Army of Tennessee had not yet encountered a full-scale "fight" against Federal forces armed with new and deadly repeating longarms...but that would change at the Battle of Hoover's Gap in June of 1863.  As Bragg's army rested behind the line of steep hills north of the Tullahoma valley, Rosecrans probed up and down the range of "gaps" in the hills--looking for any opportunity to find a gap open to exploit a Confederate flank.  Given the job to probe  Hoover's Gap, Wilder's Brigade would brush aside the Confederate pickets and small patrols at the mouth of Hoover's Gap, and emerge on the southside of the gap, nearing a crossroads, a small country store, a cemetery, and creek.  Confederate forces camped only a scant few miles from the Gap were hurriedly double-quicked into battlelines, and eventually more than two Confederate brigades of infantry, several batteries, and spare cavalry units assailed Wilder's defensive position at the south end of Hoover's Gap.  What ensued was indeed a watershed battle--the Confederates outnumbered Wilder at least 2-to-1...and they would pay dearly to learn the lesson of new weapon technology!  Despite the sheer weight of Confederate numbers and fury, the repeating rifles and carbines of Wilder's men would punish the attacking Confederates with horrible casualties.  It became quite apparent that the Southern assaults were futile, and eventually, Bragg had to concede that Rosecrans would have him "in the bag" now, and thus began his slow retreat toward Chattanooga.  The Confederates who fought at this small, yet horrific battle would quickly bemoan the new Yankee rifles that their foe could "load on Sunday and shoot all week..."

This piece is an incredible piece of history in equally dazzling condition.  Only lightly pitted with the most minor ground action.  The long-range leaf of the sight still folds up and down with ease, and the hammer moves freely.  Even the sling-ring is still present and free-moving.  As well, the loading lever appendage is movable.  The detail of this weapon's every feature is so gorgeously crisp for a dug weapon, and could not possibly be in any better "dug" condition.  Only 4435 of the Colt Revolving Carbines were ever produced between the years 1856 and 1864.  As rare or rarer than most Confederate-made weapons!

Another show-stopper, jaw-dropper.  "End-of-the road fine," as Larry Hicklen would say.  I have only seen one other dug Colt revolving longarm--and was in such poor dug condition with most of the barrel missing that you couldn't really tell the details of the weapon (whether a rifle or carbine, or what).  I've never even heard of another one in existence.  Coming from the award-winning showcase dug weapons collection of Claude Maley, it can now be the centerpiece of your display...

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Fantastic Dug CS Richmond Carbine/Musketoon from Historic Brandy Station

You all know by now about my "love affair" with dug weapons...there's just something immeasurably and inexplicably describable about the appeal of a weapon found upon a battlefield.  Non-dug weapons are wonderful, but when you find an excavated weapon upon a hallowed field of fighting, there is a unique and deep history that the weapon tries to tell about the violence and horror that it saw during it's last hours of use, before being dropped/discarded upon the bloody field.  Since I've dug two complete weapons myself within one year of relic hunting, I have always had that close affinity for dug weapons.  This one here has just about everything going it!  It is indeed a true Richmond Carbine/Musketoon, clearly used for mounted cavalry service (coming from Brandy Station) with one of J.E.B. Stuart's finest.  The Richmond lockplate is the classic un-milled/un-filled "high-hump" lockplate from the Harper's Ferry stock seized by CS authorities at the beginning of war.  The brass buttplate and nosecap are also pure Richmond specimens.  The trigger guard is the M1855 style--also the kind used exclusively by the Richmond class of weapons.  All of the pieces are in good "dug" condition, being uncleaned but in stable condition.  Coming within it's own beautiful oak display case with flip-up glass top door, it's an already-made showcase!  The case alone is worth $100.  You can have them ALL for such a cheap price...

Sold

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Museum-Quality Excavated CS Sword & Scabbard

"Dog River" Cavalry Saber with Brass-Mounted Scabbard Rings, Vividly Clear Crude CS Lap-Seam

This is bar-none the finest Confederate dug sword and scabbard I have ever personally beheld.  It is hard to describe this seemingly unprecedented and unmatched quality for a truly dug specimen.  I've seen a couple dug Confederate swords alone (without scabbard), and another sword and scabbard dug together, but even they weren't the quality of this.  Indeed, you can still take the sword in and out of the scabbard easily.  Obviously a very early dug specimen (and in very "friendly" ground without a lot of mineralization!).  The brass mounted scabbard rings as well as the brass 3-branch guard have the most beautiful mellowed dug plum/green patina, classic to early-dug brass and copper items.  The pommel, guard, and blade are still quite well attached, and as you can see, only the most minute ground action anywhere.  It comes from the award-winning dug weapons and belt buckle display of my local friend, Claude Maley.  He has set-up his massive display for years at many shows, and as you probably already know, has won so many awards thanks to the quality of showcase items like this.  Now, it can be in your collection.  Bet you won't see one like this for sale anytime soon...

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Spectacular Condition, Early-Dug Remington .44 Cal. Revolver

Found Decades Ago Upon The Fateful Battlefield of Yellow Tavern, Virginia

Fought May 11, 1864 -- Where J.E.B. Stuart was Fatally Wounded

You all know by now my affinity for excavated weapons if you've been watching my site long enough.  Since the day I dug a complete Type I Merrill Carbine several years ago (followed by P56 2-band Enfield, and a cache of destroyed muskets on a battlefield), I have ever been in awe of dug weapons.  When you've got a gun dug from a battlefield, you KNOW it was used in combat.  No need to wonder if it truly saw service in the war slinging hot lead at it's foe (or sat in some arsenal gathering dust, or someone's sock drawer in New England).  Offered here is a superb example of a dug Remington "Army" .44 cal. revolver that was found upon the Yellow Tavern, Virginia battlefield many decades ago.  It is clearly in early-found, wonderful "dug" condition, as the detail of the piece shows.  You can even read some of the Remington address/maker's mark upon the top of the barrel--now THAT is GREAT dug condition!  You quickly notice it is on half-cock (or "prime" position, where you'd put the percussion nipples on).  Every nipple is clearly seen, as is about every single screw in the frame.  Even the detail of the front loader latch is vividly intact, as well as the trigger itself.  The small brass trigger guard is missing, though the internal mechanisms are crisply intact and seen.  A .44 bullet is within one of the chambers, but was placed in there by the digger--not original to the chamber.  It is the finest dug Remington revolver I've ever had, and only a "battlefield pick-up" could be in better condition.  As relayed by the old time digger, he found in on the Yellow Tavern battlefield, and if you know your Civil War history, you know that JEB Stuart was mortally wounded at the May 11, 1864 battle.  You'll be hard-pressed to find a better specimen anytime, anywhere.  Dug weapons in this condition and completeness have become extremely desirable, and very hard to find--for the same reasons that I love them.  Larry Hicklen has dug around 70 Confederate plates--but only two weapons.  And you thought digging CS plates was hard as a relic hunter!  My two dug guns are among the rarest and prized items I have ever found.

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Famous Harper's Weekly Wartime Sketch of the Battle of Yellow Tavern -- Fateful End to the "Last Cavalier"

 

Fantastic Excavated Smith & Wesson-Style .22 Cal. Revolver from Historic Corinth, Mississippi

Here's a cool excavated pistol style you rarely if ever see, coming straight from Corinth!  Remarkable condition original Smith & Wesson-style .22 cal. metallic cartridge firing 7-shot revolver.  It clearly looks like a Smith & Wesson Model 1/2 series weapon, but all S&W's had the hinged barrel frame--this one is the standard built-in frame, so what's even rarer about this dug revolver is that it is one of the many small production infringement copies of a Smith & Wesson!  Literally dozens and dozens of small gunmakers during the cash-cow days of the war copied the Smith & Wesson design, resulting in massive patent infringement lawsuits by Smith & Wesson.  This cool revolver is completely stable and obviously in such fine early-dug condition.  You can see each cylinder clearly, and even detail on the piece such as the tiny front sight aperture.  The historical reference coming from Corinth, Mississippi makes me all the happier, as the strategic crossroads was site to two major engagements in 1862 alone.  The critical railroads literally intersected at Corinth, and both armies vied to control this "Crossroads of the South".  The bloody 2-day battle in October of 1862 almost spelled certain defeat for Rosecrans and Grant.  As usual, however, the South withdrew after such terrific fighting, and Corinth would remain in Federal control for the rest of the war.  This is a wonderful piece of that history!

SOLD

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Outstanding Dug Austrian Lorenz & Springfield Bayonets From Vicksburg

Both in Spectacular Early-Dug Condition -- The Springfield Bayonet Still Has Clear "US" Visible Mark

Lorenz Bayonet Has No Pitting Whatsoever -- Both Blades Complete, Full-Length, Unbent Blades

The third most favorite item for me to ever find as a relic hunter (after a shell and then complete weapon) was a bayonet.  I don't know why, but finding a bayonet is so hard to find anymore--heck, it's hard finding fired minnie's anymore!  Here are two VERY FINE dug specimens found decades ago around Vicksburg.  The Austrian Lorenz is almost 100% certain to be Confederate, as many thousands were in service of the Army of Vicksburg--very few in Federal hands (and the Billy's openly complained about it, with Sherman writing Grant after the Vicksburg surrender that many of the Confederate surrendered arms were "far superior imported rifles," and Grant had his men exchange their ratty old .69's and .58's for the better serviceable Confederate surrendered arms.  The classic 4-sided Lorenz blade is unpitted, with the smoothest metal you'll ever see on a dug example.  The blade is 100% complete--no broken tip--and is unbent.  The socket is solid (only missing the locking ring).  The Springfield bayonet is very solid, with only the most minimal ground action on a dug piece.  Blade is also complete and unbent.  The locking is vividly present on this one, and best of all, you can still CLEARLY see the "US" on the blade!  Can you top THAT for dug bayonets?!

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Excellent Dug Rifle & Confederate Relic Display Board From Central Virginia

Dug Rifle, Gun Tool, Bullets, & Bayonet w/ Display Tag

EXTREMELY RARE Type II Enfield Rifle Pieces!!!!  (Some Claim the Type II's Were NEVER Imported....

Except This Is Yet Another of Several Dug Examples I've Seen!)

Anyone who loves excavated artifacts has got to have and enjoy your classic "relic board" on old original barn-wood/plank-board!  I think there's a law somewhere stating every relic collector, "Must own no less than one (1) dug musket attached to barn wood with other relics encrusted upon it..."!!  But if you are going to have one, by God, get one with RARE dug rifle pieces on it!  The barrel appears to be a US-made Springfield barrel from a rifle, but the other parts are a conglomerate of Enfield and Springfield parts--clearly a "Johnny make-do" kind of gun!  But what's extremely rare to this is that the upper barrel band is 100% a British Type II Enfield barrel band!  The weapon was either a cut-down to a 2-bander, or missing the top portion of the muzzle in battle, given that the barrel is now only long enough to be a 2-bander.  It has a full-length Enfield ramrod on the board with the piece (probably found nearby, and the relic hunter put it with this piece).  But the upper barrel band is extra thick and wide, with original sling-swivel--a 100% no-doubt Type II Enfield barrel band!  Now some claim that the Type II Enfields (the 3-bander original version of the P53's made until about 1860 that had this thicker top band and swelled ramrod), were not imported into the War  This assertion flies in the face of common sense, given that weapons made in every country before the Civil War (outside of Russian weapons) were bought and imported at some point in time into the War, even if only a handful.  But most importantly, this is one of several dug examples I have seen myself to 100% prove that Type II's were indeed used in the War--again, regardless of how few.  The North & South were desperate to get their hands on any modern/military weapon they could, and clearly there were plenty of these British older pieces that they were glad to dump-off to us!  Given there weren't many of the Type II's imported only makes them RARE AS CAN BE!  There are some nice dug bullets on the board as well, including a gun tool, nice bayonet, and the hand-painted wooden tag--all affixed to that gorgeous piece of old barn wood.

Can't beat this essential relic display piece!

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