Page 46 - JOA-3-21-RE

by John Sexton

Q: I found this a few years ago metal detecting in New Hampshire, it made invasion fleet was the largest yet organized by the Navy, containing
it into American Digger magazine. I usually find mostly junk so I am 77 vessels and 16,000 Army troops under Brigadier General Thomas
curious if this is worth anything? I couldn’t find anyone in New Hampshire W. Sherman. The combined force secured Port Royal Sound on 7
to even look at it for me to appraise it. Any help would be great. November 1861 after a furious four-hour battle. Wabash led the battle
line in this major strategic Union victory.
JS: No doubt this embossing seal die for the USS Wabash is rare, but “The CSS David submarine torpedo boat…attacked the Wabash on
rarity often is a little factor towards value. Many rare and unique items April 18, 1864. Ensign Charles H. Craven, Officer of the Deck,
have little or no market value. This is a nice and unusual relic but spotted the cigar-shaped vessel in time for Wabash to get underway.
limited market. Similar dies of similar rarity and age might sell in my The David disengaged from the attack in the face of musket fire and
opinion for as much as $100-$200. round shot discharged from Wabash.”

Response from the owner: I was told
at one time that the seal wasn’t worth
anything when I was proud of my find –
so I got mad and threw it in the lake.
But I went back today and found it
because the only water that isn’t frozen is
next to the dock, so it wasn’t that deep. I
am going to frame it with the magazine
article. Even though it isn’t the “Holy
Grail of relics,” you are right; it’s unusual,
rare, and pretty neat. Thanks again for
your info on it.

About the Wabash from Wikipedia:
An embossing seal die from the “The USS Wabash was a steam screw
USS Wabash, worth between frigate of the United States Navy that
$100 and $200. served during the American Civil
War … and was sold in 1912. After
capturing several frigates, the Wabash departed on October 1861 A drawing of the USS Wabash
to spearhead the Federal assault on Port Royal, SC. The assembled Photo: public domain

Q: I purchased this CSA survivors’ Q: I found this whip in a house;
association badge; the seller said it the person died. It has a tag on
was from the Confederate survivors’ it that says the whip is cavalry. I
association, a veteran’s hat badge. see writing in leather that says,
Now, I just want to ask you if this “Capt. F.H. Ruger, AQM.”
is a genuine badge. I looked and The second line looks like “102
didn’t see any markings. I know ILL NY.”
there was this association of veter- Can you tell me if this is
ans in Georgia, but I haven’t found the Civil War time period?
any actual pictures of veterans Thanks.
wearing this. Any information
would be much appreciated. JS: The whip is old, I’m sure,
but the markings are most
JS: This badge, I have never An unknown badge, likely more recently added.
seen. I do not know if it is never seen by experts. It’s not uncommon to see util-
old or new. Everett Bowles of itarian items with stencils or
CivilWarBadges.com has never stampings or names and units
seen one either. The pins on the that supposedly make them
reverse appear British, WWI. If Civil War. Early Civil War
more turn up, we will know it is catalogs from the Centennial
probably a new fantasy item, but have lots of identified items
based on pics, it looks original. that were just made up and
No idea about the value; could sold to unsuspecting collectors.
be British.
An old whip with markings that
The pins on the reverse may be are hard to verify with
British from WWI but still an no actual provenance.
unknown badge.
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44 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles