Cape Pin/Watch Fob - "Flaming Bomb"
SOLD
Item: Cape Pin/Watch Fob - "Flaming Bomb"
Construction: Cast brass.
Approximate size: 19 x 34 mm.
Condition: Excellent, excavated. Very pleasing dusty-green patina. No bends, cracks, breaks, or repairs.
Recovered: Stafford County, VA area.
Reference: Similar examples are pictured in:
- "Civil War Artifacts" by Howard Crouch on page 173, item 3.
- "Excavated Artifacts from Battlefields and Campsites of The Civil War, Supplement I" by Stanley S. Phillips on page 183, item 6.
See above pages in the additional images.
Comments: Cape pins are rarely recovered and, of the few that are found, the "Flaming Bomb" type is hardly ever seen. These charm-like devices are a very interesting personal relic that were proudly worn by Civil War soldiers. Designs include stars, stars and crescent moon, the unknown general, General George McClellan, Colonel Elmer Ellsworth, Abraham Lincoln, crossed sabers, crossed cannons, engineer castle, hospital wagon/ambulance, horse head. For decades these devices, have been referred to as "cape pins". It has been suggested that they could have also been used as watch fobs. A 1988 article in "North South Trader's Civil War" Volume XV, Number 5 on page 18 titled "Civil War "Cape Pins" A Misnomer?" is included in the additional images. More recently in 2012, in the Publisher's forum "Learning the Lingo" found in Vol. 36 No. 2 of the "North South Trader's Civil War" by publisher Steve Sylvia, the publisher writes: (the use of)""Cape pin" is still in vogue, although I am convinced, they were used as watch fobs. Maybe a few officers wore capes, but enlistedmen sure didn't. There are far too many excavated examples to attribute them to officer use only.”
This excavated example will be an excellent addition to any excavated Civil War uniform, campsite, battlefield, or general relic collection.
- Product Code:
- PC7203
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