Miscellaneous Dug Items

Click on any thumbnail for a larger image. 

1. Quite rare excavated smooth type Model 1858 tin spout St. Louis Arsenal Federal canteen.  This was recovered by Dr. Rees Buttram in the early 1960s from private property at Chickamauga.  Artifacts this large are just not being recovered anymore.--$95.
2. Really cool original Civil War candle holder display.  I have mounted an original Civil War iron candle holder onto a piece of exploded Civil War cannon shell and put a candle in place for display.  Talk about a nice Civil War desk display item !!  The candle holder was recovered by Dr. Rees Buttram from private property near Shiloh in the early 1960s--$48.
3. Excellent condition excavated blue-green medical bottle recovered from Gen. Rosecran's 1862 - 1863 Federal winter camps here at Murfreesboro, TN. occupied following the Battle of Stones River.  The bottle is "Open Pontil" and embossed "Barry's Tricopherous For The Skin and Hair - New York".  A fantastic item for your medical display.--$48.
4. Excavated Model 1816 .69 cal. conversion lockplate and hammer recovered about 40 years ago on private property near Shiloh by Dr. Rees Buttram.  The two pieces will come apart because the hammer screw is broken and is likely why the lockplate was discarded.--only $48.SOLD
5. Excavated "open pontil" Civil War Medical bottle recovered about 40 years ago from a camp site trash pit here at Murfreesboro, TN.  It is labeled "FAHNESTOCK'S VERMIFUCE" -- As small as this bottle is "VERMIFUCE" must be some potent stuff !!!  The last bottle like this that I had was "Elixer of Opium" - I just wonder if "Vermifuce" and "Elixer of Opium" could be close kin ??  {Thank You Jay --- I will order me up some "Vermefuce" THE NEXT TIME I NEED RID OF INTESTINAL WORMS !!!}--$85.
6. Here is one of the very rarest dug revolvers that you might hope to recover.  It is a SUPER SCARCE FLUTED .44 cal. Model 1860 Colt Army Revolver.  It was recovered about 40 years ago from a Confederate camp site on private property near Winchester, VA.  The revolver is serial number "2298" which is "most desirable" 1861 - 1862 production.  I am including a full compliment of excavated Colt projectiles to display with it.--$895.SOLD
7. MONSTER COOL RELIC --- Excavated .69 cal. Model 1816 musket barrel and bands recovered almost exactly 50 years ago {actually it's 50 year recovery anniversary was just a few days ago "May 2, 1963"!!!!} on private property near "The Wilderness" in Virginia.  The  "super cool" part is that the musket was CLEARLY SEVERED by a projectile or a piece of shrapnel.  I have set a fired bullet in place that matches the path of whatever struck this weapon.  I strongly suspect that it was NOT a good day for whoever was carrying this musket.  Here is a great historic relic with a neat old recovery tag.--$295.
8. Excavated huge brass soup spoon recovered from a Confederate camp near Corinth, MS. about 40 years ago.--$25.
9. Nice group of 5 artifacts recovered from the camp of Wharton's Texas Cavalry occupied during the spring of 1863 and located just outside Unionville, TN.  The group consists of a broken Confederate style spur - an excellent "star pattern" coat size Floral button - and 3 Confederate type bullets - all in a nice glass display case.--$75. for all
10. Absolutely beautiful set of "6" excavated brass Federal cavalry spurs recovered by Dr. Rees Buttram from private property near Shiloh about 40 years ago and in the actual glass display case that these were in while on display for many years at the Tennessee Civil War Museum located at the base of LookOut Mtn. in Chattanooga, TN.  The original museum label still remains with this fine display of spurs.--$495.
11. Broken percussion musket barrel recovered many years ago on private property at Shiloh by Dr. Rees Buttram.--Only $45.
12. Pretty green excavated cast brass Confederate scabbard ring mount.  This was recovered on private property at Shiloh many years ago.--$48.
13. Excavated nice condition Leech and Rigdon style Confederate Manufactured Cavalry Spur recovered from Spring Hill, TN. on private property in areas that Forrest's and Van Dorn's Confederate Cavalry were camped in 1863.--$275.
14. Civil War whiskey bottle recovered from a Federal trash pit here at Murfreesboro, TN. and occupied during the spring of 1863.--$35.
15. Excellent condition excavated complete cast brass 3-branch guard from a Federal Model 1860 Cavalry saber.  If you have a dug saber blade -- This is all you need to have a complete saber and seldom offered for sale.--$125.
16. Perfect condition excavated heavy cast brass private purchase {but Confederate used} cavalry spur.  This one was recovered from Starnes 1863 C.S. Cavalry camp located near Altamont, TN.  It has the rowel perfectly intact and a nice green/brown uncleaned woods patina.  A very nice piece.--$275.
17. Excavated circular brass cavalry Rossette.  This was recovered from the 1863 Winter Camp of the 51st Alabama Cavalry located near Fosterville, TN.--$35.
18. Two unique Enfield musket artifacts  presented in a glass display case.  One of the artifacts is a brass Enfield Tompion and the other artifact is a very unusual Enfield Bullet.  The soldier loaded this bullet into his musket upside down and had to use his bullet extractor screwed onto the back end of his ramrod to remove it.  The interesting thing is that normally when a bullet has been extracted the extractor hole is in the nose, but on this bullet, because it was loaded upside down, the extractor hole is in the rear.--$45.
19. This is an excavated, lead filled, circular "US" Cavalry bridal rosette.  It was recovered on private property near Shiloh, TN in the late 1960s.--$65
20. Excavated Federal infantry bugle hat pin.  Recovered from private property at Shiloh in the late 1960s by Dr. Rees Buttram.  The pin was folded up when found and has been nicely straightened and restored by the "relic doctor" - the best - Robert McDaniel.  It will display really nicely.--$85.
21. Very nice set of excavated Federal brass shoulder epaulets recovered on private property at Shiloh in 1968 by Dr. Rees Buttram.  This is an item that you could find 40 years ago, but is almost unheard of to recover now due to the huge signal they give.  These would be a fine addition to any collection and are quite likely published in one or more of the early reference books.  They are priced the same as a large "U.S." oval belt plate and are at least 10 times rarer.--$250.
22. Quite rare excavated Leech and Rigdon pattern Confederate enlistedman's cast brass cavalry spur.  This was recovered from Gen. N. B. Forrest's position near Harpreth River at the Battle of Franklin, TN.  in  Nov. of 1864.  One leg is broken on the spur which is no doubt why it was discarded.--$95.
23. Excavated complete .69 cal. Model 1816 bayonet - This was recovered many years ago from private property at Shiloh, TN. by Dr. Rees Buttram.--$100.
24. Rarest of the rare excavated silvered oak leaf "Lt. Col." shoulder strap insignia.  It is in beautiful condition and was recovered in the early 1970s near Brandy Station, VA. by Chuck Sykes.  In 35 years I have only had 3 of these - so how scarce is that ??--$395.
25. Excavated base to a flag pole recovered on private property here at the Battle of Stones River.  It shows so much wear that it is almost worn through on one side.--$48.SOLD
26. Box of something like 100 - 150 iron relics that have been excavated from a Confederate camp site located near Nolensville, TN.  There are two or three cavalry bits - a curry comb - a camp hatchet - broken up bridle parts - iron buckles - and all kinds of other pieces {literally a starter collection}.--$125. for all
27. Federal picket pin recovered here at Stones River {after a Union cavalryman tried to drive it into one of our limestone rocks.}--$95.
28. .69 cal musket barrel that appears to have been severed by an artillery shell.  This unusual artifact was recovered on private property at Shiloh by Dr. Rees Buttram in the late 1960s.  This barrel is a Model 1816 converted from flint.--$95.
29. Regulation Federal Cavalry picket pin recovered by Dr. Rees Buttram on private property near Shiloh in the late 1960s.  A bit odd in that it had a watering bridle draped over it when found.--$95.
30. Excavated Federal "hi-port" cavalry bit recovered from a Confederate cavalry camp at Corinth, MISS.  The Rebels had removed the  cast bras "U.S." rosettes from each side so that they could then use the bit themselves and it NOT be "U.S." marked.  A very neat  "U.S. to C.S." kind of relic.--$85.
31. Very cool excavated soldier's "mess kit" display consisting of a "half canteen plate" - a knife - a fork - a spoon - a cup - and an original "fire water" bottle.--$175. for all
32. Excavated musket "main spring vice".  This was carried by the Sergeants {both U.S. and C.S.} and used to replace broken musket main springs LITERALLY in the heat of Battle.  This was recently recovered on private property just down the street from the shop here at the Battle of Stones River.--$45.
33. Scarce excavated NUMBERED Confederate Enfield buttplate.  This was recovered from a Confederate camp located near Mobile, AL.--$195.
34. Excavated smooth type Model 1858 Federal canteen.  It remains for the most part - intact - but pretty flattened.  It was recovered on private property near Shiloh in the early 1970s.--$95.
35. Excavated 69 cal. Model 1816 triangular socket bayonet.  This was recovered here at Stones River in the early 1970s by Wade Buchanan.  Where this bayonet was recovered "The Avenues" upscale shopping center now sits.--$95.
36. Excavated cast brass partial Confederate cavalry spur.  This was recovered by Dr. Rees Buttram in the 1960s from a Confederate cavalry camp located near Corinth, Miss.--$85.
37. Excavated "pot hook" made from a saber blade - Recovered from a Confederate camp at Corinth, Miss.--$25.
38. Nice green patina on this excavated cast brass Confederate cavalry spur recovered by Bill Whitt at the Battle of Franklin, TN.  from the position of Forrest's C.S. Cavalry there.  This is the style that had a separate piece attach into the back of the spur to hold the rowel.  It was recovered in the area where Forrest's Cavalry crossed the Harpeth River.--$75.
39. Beautiful group of excavated artifacts - All recovered by Anthony Skok here at the Battle of Stones River over the past several years.  The group includes one unfired "L shaped" Confederate cannon friction primer - one cast brass "screw-on type" Confederate cavalry spur - a Civil War "Snake Oil - Magnetic Ointment" bottle out of a Confederate trash pit here - 3 carved bullets - one rare 69 cal. triangle base French minie - one buck and ball set - one musket combination gun tool - a complete set of "Puppy Paw" hooks out of a belt buckle - one broken bayonet blade - two musket parts - and a brass bayonet scabbard tip.  These are the nicest items out of A LOT of relic hunting.--$225. for all
40. Quite rare beautiful excavated gilted brass 1884 "James G. Blaine" Presidential token.  In the Presidential token world - this is one that you don't see every day.  "Republican Candidate for President - 1884"--$95.
41. Excavated cast brass Confederate "Issacs - Campbell" knapsack hook.  This was recovered here at The Battle of Stones River on the Confederate battle line under what is now "The Avenues" Shopping Center.  There will be no more relics from this site.--$65.
42. Excavated Nathan Bedford Forrest "related" brass tag -- {kind of - sorta}.  Here's the deal  -- During the Civil War John Morton was the Chief of "Forrest's Artillery" and following the War wrote the definitive book on the subject "Forrest's Artillery".  West Morton was John Morton's son and was County Register of Nashville during the early 1900s.  This tag belonged to West Morton.--$45.
43. Absolutely excellent excavated condition on this cast brass Federal cavalry spur recovered from the Battle of Stones River here at Murfreesboro, TN.--$75.
44. Enfield nose cap and tompion recovered from the Battle of Franklin. TN.--$65.
45. Cast brass cavalry spur excavated from Starne's CS cavalry camp here in Middle Tennessee.  Some collectors believe that the rowel holder on this style spur is meant to be a crude "Eagle's Head".  Definitely a cool style spur that you don't recover every day.--$85.
46. Very rare to recover IRON Isaacs Campbell Confederate used knapsack hook.  I have seen less than 10 of these recovered in this area in the last 30 years.  It will be a long time before you see another one of these for sale.--$75.

47. Three excavated brass officer baggage trunk locks all excavated from Union 1863 winter camps here at Murfreesboro.  Two of the three locks have the military eagle motif on them.--$65. for the set. 

48. Large size cannon shell fragments from various battlefields perfect form making a desk paperweight or great for any display. These large fragments are becoming very difficult to dig. $15 each
49. We have picked up several arrowheads in Middle TN, while looking for Civil War Relics. They of course are hundreds of years older but what made a good camping ground a hundred years ago also made a good camping ground a thousand years ago. We offer these arrowheads in groups of 2, 3, 4, 5, and 8 – complete with a display case. The prices are:

50. 2 and case --$25.
51. 3 and case --$30.
52. 4 and case --$38.
53. 5 and case --$48.
54. 8 and case --$70.