This item is round identification disk made of thin sheet silver. Measuring 1” in diameter, the center is cut out leaving the silhouette of a horse and rider. The outer band is engraved with “John Gallangher / Co. K. 1^st ME. CAV.” The horse and rider are also finely engraved.

The back retains the hinge and catch of a t-bar pin. The pin itself is missing.

Born in New Brunswick, Canada, John Gallagher was 35 years old, living in Fort Fairfield, Maine when he enlisted on November 2, 1861, into Company “K” of the 1^st Maine Cavalry. He mustered out on November 25, 1864. According to death records he died on 12/14/97, though his gravestone indicates a date of 12/18/98; he is buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Caribou, Aroostook County, ME.  The 1^st Maine Cavalry served in the Eastern Theater, mostly with the Army of the Potomac.

Northern jewelers were astonishingly quick to exploit the ready market of soldiers eager to possess any type of personal identification badge and, often, to encourage them to have a better one than their comrades. Newspaper ads for badges were plentiful, and soldiers were enlisted as “agents in the field” for various firms. These early “dog tags” could be as simple as printed string tags, or more involved pieces. Coin-like discs with information and honors stamped on them were available, as were fancier sheet silver cut-outs with engraved inscriptions, colored enamel-filled pieces, or both. Some were ornate gold and silver wonders of craftsmanship. This is one of those jeweler-made pieces. From the Texas Civil War Museum collection.  [jet/L] [ph:L]

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