This is a nice example of an early Gettysburg battlefield pick-up from the scene of the first day’s fighting at Gettysburg in the fields west of town. This was formerly in the Shields Museum and acquired privately from them in 1974 in the purchase of one display case of relics from the first day’s fight. The cap box shows some field use and exposure on the battlefield, but is in very good condition and the provenance is tight.

The box is constructed with a one-piece front, the latch tab being an extension of the outer flap, and two narrow belt loops showing the maker’s effort to imitate the pattern coming into use in U.S. accouterments in early 1862. The distinguishing Confederate characteristic, particularly at that date, is the use of a button-ended brass fastening stud rather a globular or conical stud fastener. Termed by collectors “awning,” “shade,” or “wagon cover” studs, these flat button types were readily available studs used to secure the bottoms of tarred or oil cloth flaps for a variety of common civilian purposes.

The box in very good condition, showing pretty minor crazing and wrinkling to the surface from flexing and wear, and some minor stains, but not much finish loss. The very tip of the latch tab is torn, but this does not affect the hole, which shows some stretching from actual field use. An incised line along the edge of the outer flap is visible. The long inner flap is there with the side ears in place. The sewn belt loops are in place and secure on the back of the pouch. There is a short white and brown stain between the loops, probably from an old label. As with the face of the pouch there is crazing and wrinkling from flexing and use, but not a lot of finish loss. It has never been touched with any leather treatment and should not be. This would make a great addition to a collection of Confederate accouterments, a good study piece for Confederate cap pouches, and has a tight Gettysburg provenance.

This comes from the collection of Tom Bohon, one of our earliest and most regular customers, who also used to regularly visit the Shields Museum. In 1974 Ellen Shields, running it for the family, offered Tom the opportunity to purchase one display case of relics in an all-or-nothing purchase simply to make more room. The case was entirely pick-ups from the first day’s battle field west of town where Union cavalry and troops from the First and Eleventh Corps fought to hold off advancing Confederates until Union forces could concentrate. Tom took the deal and kept them ever since. We are proud to offer them. They have a great provenance to Gettysburg and have not been on the market before, aside from that brief moment in 1974.

Please check out our other offerings from this collection as well. As Tom realized, this is an opportunity not often presented.    [sr]

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