Misc. Dug Items
Misc. Non-Dug Items
Civil War Insignia
This page last updated January 28, 2012
EMAIL Phone: 804-873-5462
Plez Bagby
PO Box 6425
Charlottesville, VA 22906
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PC3949 Carved Jeff Davis Eagle Hat Insignia This carved Jeff Davis hat insignia is one of those relics that has the "wow factor". Soldiers passed there idle time whittling away at wood, lead bullets, and various accoutrements with much of it turning into works of art. In this case, with this Jeff Davis hat insignia, the area to either side of the eagle's neck and head, including everything above, between the wings has been cut away. Four tiny holes, two up and two down, were made so that two attachment wires, which are still present, could be strung though so that the device could be attached to a hat or jacket. These Jeff Davis hat insignias were proudly worn by the enlisted men. Click on the on the thumbnail picture to the left, and you will see at the at the bottom of the page that I have included an image of a similar, but slightly different, Jeff Davis hat insignia that is complete, for comparison purposes. (Please note that there were several different dye stamps producing these insignias all with slight variations). On the rear side of this insignia, at the base of the shield, are remnants of the solder that once securd the original wire loops. This example, recovered in the early 1990's off Lee's Ridge Road in Warrenton, VA., is in excellent condition, has no cracks, breaks, bends, or repairs. Constructed of brass it has a base brown patina which is still partially covered by a yellow woodsy type soil layer. It is another great example of soldier artwork while in the field and this will enhance any Civil War insignia collection or general excavated relic collection. Approximately 2 x 2 inches. $195.00 Order Information or Questions? |
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PC3808 Jeff Davis Hat Insignia This excavated Jeff Davis hat insignia, recovered in LaGrange, TN., is in very good condition and is from the recently released Civil War relic collection of longtime Tennessee relic hunter John A. Marks. It is another one of the best documented relics that I have had the opportunity to offer, and it is with great pleasure that I can make it available on this website. Mr. Marks relic hunted over a span 33 years beginning on January 11, 1967 and recovered a copious amount of relics during that time. The meticulous Mr. Marks managed to document each relic he recovered by marking it with its date of recovery and his letter and number code indicating area of recovery. Many of the relics Mr. Marks pulled out of the ground were pristine in condition. Mr. Marks passed away on March 13, 2000 but what he left the Civil War relic collecting community, as well as Civil War historians, will be forever appreciated. DESCRIPTION: The front of this Jeff Davis hat insignia has a dark brown patina and shows a beautifully detailed eagle clutching an olive branch and arrows in its talons. At the top between two peaks is a break and there is a small hole just above the eagle's eyeball. The rear is in equally good condition. Also on the rear is the date of "1-9-75" and his more exact recovery location code of "LG+10" with the "LG" indicating LaGrange and the "+10" indicating a more specific area of LaGrange where this fine relic was recovered. Mr. Marks included this find in his first journal which is dated "11 Jan. 1967 to 24 Oct. 1983". In the picture enlargements of this piece, I have included a copy the page from his journal that includes the entry he made for this particular find on 1-9-75. A copy of this page, along with a copy of the North South Trader article titled "The Way It Was" by John A. Marks will be included with this relic. Click the preceding link to read the article now. This very nice belt plate will be an excellent addition to any excavated Civil War belt plate or general relic collection. Approx. 1 7/8 x 2 1/2 inches. $240.00 Order Information or Questions? |
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PC3805 US Cavalry Crossed Sabers Hat Insignia This excavated US cavalry crossed sabers hat insignia, recovered in LaGrange, TN., is in very good condition and is from the recently released collection of longtime Tennessee relic hunter John A. Marks. It is one of the best documented relics that I have had the opportunity to offer, and it is with great pleasure that I can make it available on this website. Mr. Marks relic hunted over a span 33 years beginning on January 11, 1967 and recovered a copious amount of relics during that time. The meticulous Mr. Marks managed to document each relic he recovered by marking it with its date of recovery and his letter and number code indicating area of recovery. Many of the relics Mr. Marks pulled out of the ground were pristine in condition. Mr. Marks passed away on March 13, 2000 but what he left the Civil War relic collecting community as well as Civil War historians will be forever appreciated. This insignia, with its smooth and even dark green patina, has very little wear and tear. There appear to be a couple of areas where Mr. Marks may have straightened the sabers by simply bending them straight, but there are no other repairs. Two of the four attachment loops are still present and the date of "2-15-71" and his more exact recovery location code of "+7W" are visible on the rear. Mr. Marks included this find in his first journal which is dated "11 Jan. 1967 to 24 Oct. 1983". In the picture enlargements of this insignia, I have included a copy the page from his journal that includes the entry he made for this particular find on 2-15-71. A copy of this page, along with a copy of the North South Trader article titled "The Way It Was" by John A. Marks will be included with this relic. Click the preceding link to read the article now. This very nice insignia will be an excellent addition to any excavated Civil War insignia or general relic collection. SOLD |
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PC3754 Jeff Davis Hat Insignia This excavated Jeff Davis hat insignia is in very good condition and has a very nice dusty brown-green patina. Its face is near perfect and shows a well defined eagle clutching arrows in its left talon and an olive branch in its right. The high resolution picture of the front shows a tiny bit of surface wear to the left of the eagles lower neck where there is a very small area where there is surface wear. This is not a hole or a repair and is mentioned for exactness. The rear is in very good condition and is missing its two attachment loops. It has no cracks, bends, or repairs and was recovered by a Virginia relic hunter in Charles City County, VA. where General George B. McClellan had his headquarters. It was this location, in June and July of 1862, that supplied 140,000 Union troops. This very handsome Civil War relic, direct from the digger, will make an excellent addition to any Civil War insignia or general relic collection. Approx. 1 7/8 x 2 1/2 inches. $195.00 Order Information or Questions? |
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PC3495 Ohio Breast Plate This Ohio breast plate is a rare find as these plates were only issued to a limited number of troops. Ohio was the only northern state to issue a shoulder strap plate with its state seal. Recovered in Culpeper County, VA from in the area of the Battle of Cedar Mountain. The plate, with its battle torn appearance, is nearly complete with solid solder and both brass attachment loops. Its brass face has aged into an handsome green patina as typically found in the red clay soil of Culpeper County. Stamped into the brass is the informal state coat of arms which depicts symbols of industry, agriculture, and transportation along with a sunrise in the mountains all surrounded by a wreath of laurels What is exceptional about the brass face of the plate is the amount of fine detail that still remains visible. The background lines and bricks all visible along with the arrows, canal boat, and plant. The plate is basically complete with the exception of the upper left section of the rim and a couple of areas of missing solder in the rear. This plate has not been repaired. Though this difficult to find plate has field recovered issues, it is still in remarkably good condition for its age of 150 years. Another example of this plate is pictured in the second edition of O'Donnell and Campbell's "American Military Belt Plates", as plate 471 on page 294. The plate offered in this listing measures approximately 64 mm in diameter. $1,295.00 Order Information or Questions? SALE PENDING |
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PC645 "IOWA" State Badge This excavated field cast "IOWA" veteran's badge is in good condition and is an unusual and hard to find relic. Constructed of lead there are two holes at each end for attachment purposes. The lead has a greyish white patina. When recovered it appears that is was bent in a couple of places. At some point it was straightened and this is evidenced by the existence of the grey areas in the patina as well as the ribbon like curves along its edge. It measures .67 x 2.2 inches and is one of the more interesting pieces of field made insignia I have ever come across. Other similar IOWA field cast badges can be found pictured in Stanley S. Phillip's book "Excavated Artifacts From Battlefields and Campsites of The Civil War 1861-1865 Supplement I" on page 148 in pictures 15 & 16. This unusual relic would be an excellent addition to any insignia or general excavated relic collection. $495.00 Order Information or Questions? |
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PC646 "Ind 100" Badge This unusual excavated badge marked "Ind 100" is in very good condition and was most likely proudly displayed by a member of the 100th Indiana Infantry. State badges are typically constructed of brass but this one was made of lead which now has a very pleasing white patina. The rear shows two areas where some type of attachment device once was. Little is known about these state pins which have also been referred to as "veteran" pins. But what is know is that these pins have been excavated from campsites and battlefields in various areas of the war. According to a well written article written by Jim Stanley titled "Western Theatre State Pins", found on page 18 of Vol. 32 No. 4 of the North South Trader's Civil War magazine, it is likely that sutlers sold these pins to reenlisting veteran troops as well as to soldiers in the field as a way to designate their home state. State badges or pins are rarely offered for sale and this one is a very fine and unusual example. This one has no cracks, breaks, bends, or repairs and will make an excellent addition to any Civil War insignia or general relic collection. Approximately .63 x 1.32 inches. $495.00 Order Information or Questions? |
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