Page 45 - JOA-Sept-2021

by John Sexton

Q: I acquired a Civil War medallion – it looks like a dog tag from rosters of Company
Major General G.B. McClellan. If you can, I would like to return it to B, 5th Pennsylvania,
the family. It means nothing to me since I do not have any ancestors related and was from
to A.B. McClellan. Mooresville, Penn.
He survived the
JS: This is a typical dog tag of the Civil War which was sold by camp war and received a
sutlers (salesmen) with a name and unit stamped by the sutler from a pension in the 1880s.
die kit. There are several varieties which could be chosen including Civil War dog
patriotic motifs, various generals or George Washington, etc. General tags sell for a large
George McClellan is found on this example. range of prices, The back is inscribed with A Civil War dog tag with
This soldier whose name is stamped on one side, Private depending on the Private McElrath’s name General George McClellan’s
McElrath, fought in Gen. McClellan’s Army of the Potomac. The aesthetics and the and unit, $300-$400. image on the front.
5th PRVC (Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer Corps), of which history. This soldier
Private John McElrath was part, thought highly of their deliberate has an average history, and the token is in average, well-used condition.
and cautious commanding general. Private McElrath is found on the Market value would be about $300-$400.

Q: Hello, I found you online. I have this rifle that was my grandpa’s gun.
A converted 19th century long gun, $800-$1,000. All my relatives with any info have passed on. Any information would be
great. Thanks.

Below, The hammer and lock plate marked with “Jos. C. Randal,” perhaps the person JS: Your old long gun appears to be a percussion conversion of an
who converted the rifle from a flintlock to percussion.
original flintlock fowler. The date and name on the barrel are possibly
the date and the person who did the conversion. The name on the lock
is English, though the stock is American.
In the early 19th century in rural America, everybody had a
“Kentucky” rifle. You could use it like any other tool, to hunt small
game and defend the homestead.
It appears in as-found condition, and similar guns can be found
priced in the general antique market for $800-$1,000.

Q: Mr. Sexton, I was wondering if you could the Civil War. This is an example, however, with the
give me some information on this envelope and possibly U.S. three-cent stamp.
the value. It looks like a secession envelope made of Memphis was occupied by Union troops
fairly thick brown stock. Postmarked “Memphis April in mid-1862 and was a large supply base and
2_, 18__” and addressed to Dr. W. Steele (?) Of important Mississippi River port. The envelope
Elmwood. I would appreciate any information, and was a popular pattern in the South and no doubt
thanks for your time. an interesting souvenir and novelty for anyone
receiving it in the north. A surplus envelope sells
JS: You don’t often see Confederate patriotic A Confederate patriotic envelope with stamp for about $75, postally used with U.S. postage,
envelopes used to send letters to the Union during and postmark imprint, $200-$300 $200-$300.

Q: Hello, sir. Can you give me a little more information on the Civil War
sword my father left me? It would be greatly appreciated. My father was a big
Civil War enthusiast, and I was left with a lot of stuff.

JS: Your sword is a model 1860 light cavalry saber. These were made by An 1860 Ames light cavalry saber, $700-$800.
several contractors during the Civil War. Your example was made by Your sword appears to be in very good
Ames Manufacturing Company, Chicopee, Massachusetts, in 1863 and average condition, good original leather and
inspected by “D.R.” (Not sure offhand who he was, but it can be looked wire-wrapped grip, good blade with easily dis-
up). That is what all the markings on the blade ricasso mean. You will find cerned markings and correct scabbard. Similar
matching inspector initials on top of the brass pommel and on the swords can be found priced at Civil War shows The “US,” “1863” and
scabbard drag if you look closely. or bought in auction for $700-$800. inspector mark of “D.R.”

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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