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by John Sexton
Q: Wondering about the value of my great-great-
granddad’s Civil War knife, Joseph Quinlan,
Wagoner in 1st Co., 132nd Regiment of the PA
Volunteers. My uncle indicates it is a Bowie and
that the handle is made of silver and nickel; the
blade says “Edward Barnes and Sons.”
JS: Your knife is a classic antebellum English
side knife. Edward Barnes was a well-known
Sheffield cutler recognized for quality. The The front and back of an English side knife made
grip is lead-filled German silver. The ricasso by Edward Barnes and Sons for the American
(the unsharpened part of the blade above the market and marked “US,” $300-$500.
handle) is marked “Edward Barnes and Sons”
on one side, and the “US” on the other
side designates it was made for the American many did for utilitarian purposes, based
market. The blade originally, probably, had an on the many times it was sharpened for
American patriotic motto etched into it. Your the blade to be shortened so much. Your
ancestor continued to use this knife, as so knife is now a relic of the war; similar
examples can be found priced at Civil
The “US” mark identifying this knife
as being made for the U.S. market. War shows between $300 and $500.
Q: I was cleaning out my father’s house and came across this, a letter from a
man named John Gross to his sister back home. In it, he asks for 75 cents or
a dollar to get his “likeness” taken, and the picture he had taken is with the
letter. What do you think the value of this would be?
JS: Attractive patriotic stationery always adds a premium to a Civil War
letter, even when the content is mundane. It’s interesting that the letter
talks about his tintype photograph. The soldier John Gross entered
service on July 22, 1861, as a private in Co. A 62nd Pennsylvania
Volunteer Infantry.
The image is unusual with John wearing militia cloth epaulets. The
rest of the standard infantry accouterments are discernible: the US oval
buckle, eagle breastplate on the cartridge box cross strap, and the cap box.
Most Civil War hard images are unidentified, and a premium is always
added for identity. The image was once cased, as noted by the oval mat
line framing the subject.
A letter on patriotic stationery from This sixth plate image appears to be in average condition but
John Gross’ tintype of himself along with soldier John Gross asking for money dark. Market value at a Civil War show or auction would be in the
the letter; valued at $200-$400 from his sister to have his picture taken. $200-$400 range.
Q: Hello, I am looking for any information a Philadelphia lock maker who worked in
you might have on this. My husband got it the 1840s and 1850s. I cannot identify the
from his stepfather, and we don’t have any maker of the rifle, but it is a Pennsylvania-
idea the history behind it. His father is prior made long rifle. The 4-piece,
military and has traveled all over so we are pierced patch box, and mount-
not sure where it originated from or how old ings are generic, though some
it may be. characteristics are reminiscent
of a few known makers.
JS: Your rifle dates to the mid-19th Similar rifles can be found
century. If it was maker marked, it would A mid-19th century long priced in the $2,000 range.
be on the top of the barrel flat. The name rifle made in Pennsylvania Close-up of the hammer and
on the lock plate, Joseph Randall, is that of valued at about $2,000. lock plate that is marked by
the maker, Joseph Randall.
John Sexton is an independent appraiser and expert of Civil War memorabilia. He is an accredited member of various appraiser
organizations. He can be contacted at 770-329-4984. If you have a Civil War item for him to appraise, email a photo and a
description to mclwriter@gmail.com.
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