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Civil War Accouterments


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Hi everyone!

I found these three items at an estate sale back in March: cap pouch, powder flask and harp. Being a 20th century military collector, and a somewhat beginner at that, I don’t really know very much about them other than what I’ve learned from a Warman’s publication by Graf: Civil War Collectibles. I’m not too concerned about extra knowledge on the harp. I can just imagine it being carried in a pack back in the day.

However, the other two pieces I would love to get opinions and information on. I can’t find any markings on either.

 

The very stiff crude leather cap pouch is brownish tan, a single belt loop, non-magnetic finial and seems to be complete, even with the tool and items ‘rattling’ around inside. I mention this description, not because you can’t see this from the pictures, but from the book it sounds as if this could be southern manufacture. I would love to know what more knowledgeable persons can tell me.

 

The powder flask looks to be missing a threaded piece(spout/nipple?) in the top and maybe has had a screw replaced. I’m curious if the round item attached next to the thumb lever is a tool of some kind. I can’t pull it up nor did I want to force it. Any information on this item would be great as well.

 

Also, I think I know the answer to my next question but feel responsible since I am caretaker of these items for future generations. Should I condition the leather on the cap pouch? I would love to know opinions.F0D9B77E-D1D7-48D6-8F28-DC03FCF11A03.jpeg.f308707c9e6ac94a3d15f4478303151c.jpeg61E2EC35-DE5F-4991-9B49-9601C8349BFA.jpeg.54028dcbdd903b5ebbaac06475f2fc48.jpeg659DF9C4-5AE4-45D6-90EB-E17FC68C5309.jpeg.cb4cc7df7bed6cd36c925febdd712154.jpeg9519786F-B953-4751-9C2E-131228320D77.jpeg.c2084630a25307e15631937dea26a110.jpeg68AE65D0-16FD-41AF-AD15-B396B8F6235B.jpeg.654ec60937d21427726d45d2f422d66f.jpegA6E56F9C-F593-4596-BDB1-0BCE2887CCD1.jpeg.876d1ee98534483ca73ffd18a2996d43.jpeg455B6181-93DF-4703-8D03-ACC11A4A86F2.jpeg.2e0e6cd0d05235437e85b6d5acb6b5bf.jpegB036D287-6898-40B9-85AB-22A85F0CC81E.jpeg.baabf0b5693e6ea5307642bd2b2be8b5.jpeg5CC213D3-4470-4239-85DD-1A9C57C01624.jpeg.dc710c9cf781e5131c18d19470ad215c.jpeg6409DA94-CB7D-4CE3-A4D8-4AADAB155204.jpeg.f24412d4f2871ece00d0e671a9396bd3.jpegCC57CD05-5674-402C-AD35-5430A44E3FF3.jpeg.9bb5afecb149f4a90de4caf0e072ce3f.jpegE5CBB5E0-9D2E-4175-8991-85A54706DD67.jpeg.0971f8ebbd779e2aa192c359280b5b98.jpegCF78E192-52F5-414D-89F5-00C501B42F0E.jpeg.6608352bead5b1cdf000c8cf281d59de.jpeg93EB74FC-55D1-4646-AE86-C36D69C7B18A.jpeg.593b645a85eeaadf9011340154e6e962.jpeg6F3B4F29-5C55-4B8A-875F-204F1E8BB9A0.jpeg.586932d7a70ed97f1ec2acdf3c7cf598.jpeg62A14717-1DD0-40D8-B610-5720C92DE76E.jpeg.4563bcc52bde0d1982f2fef5297d3bf1.jpegE0D4F644-680E-46B3-AADB-0ED8BC824EA3.jpeg.da1d1a0663a6bc87e9bdc5763f6e77ab.jpeg95C95170-DDED-42CD-B6CB-3C856099E824.jpeg.17a68a12428e828a0c0080deeeef67d2.jpegCE374E89-F13C-469E-9F96-E53071EF4F69.jpeg.0446c9b758d1e535e4c8e7276a4526a4.jpeg498A2672-165F-4190-AD56-7C3A18056531.jpeg.72089149be75365335677ea902b5d235.jpeg42D8135E-384B-441C-A640-FB37B84BB3E2.jpeg.0e0e3d774bf655893d51a2ccb1208472.jpeg203787B7-446D-484C-B8FB-44FF77490E59.jpeg.c15c6f9cdc6c8523dd361a167dd85f06.jpegF0FB9EDB-326C-4058-8A58-D6D9A0C3094E.jpeg.fba32f3ff097c4d50cf8dfb4eea99484.jpeg

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Civil War items seem too be coming out of the woodwork lately, Nice finds.  Powder flask is missing the spout. Here's some info on Cap boxes, yours has a pistol wrench. 

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USCapturephotos

Hey there. I just saw your post. I got pretty excited when reading your description of the cap pouch as a single belt strap and a lead or pewter finial like that are good indications that your cap pouch is actually a Confederate made piece. I would be interested if you decide to sell or trade as I have lots of stuff. Can you tell me where you found the cap pouch?

Paul

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Thanks for the info 268th C.A.! I noticed the single belt loop on the ‘Enfield’ example (E) in the drawing. Also, thank you for identifying the pistol wrench and confirming the missing spout. I agree with the Influx of Civil War items. I’ll have to post some pics on a 1/4 plate tintype I found at an estate sale back in December of 2021. A very nice one.

 

Hey Paul, I’ve only owned these pieces for about a month. To answer your question, I just purchased them at an estate sale here in Portland, Oregon. Thanks for the offer. I’ll keep that in mind.

 

So far, the consensus is a ‘pistol’ cap pouch and is leaning toward a southern made piece. Is the powder flask a northern manufactured item? Any ideas on the manufacturers of these two items? Also, should I try and breath some life back into the leather cap pouch?

Thanks again...Alex

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Hey Alex. I spoke with a very knowledgeable friend and he said it is definitely a “classic” Confederate cap pouch but I’m not sure where it would have been manufactured. I would also be interested in seeing the 1/4 plate image that you found. I don’t know anything about powder flasks though, sorry.

Oh, I would leave the leather alone for now if it were me.

Paul

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Thanks for that confirmation on the Confederate cap pouch. I’ll leave it alone for now, cob-webs and all, as I thought that would be the right thing to do. I’ll start another thread soon on the 1/4 plate. Also, if I get a chance, a half year ago I found a 4” solid shot at another estate sale. I’ll post some pics of it too to get opinions on whether it is military or sport:)

Thanks again Paul. I’ll get busy!

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USCapturephotos
2 hours ago, 3jusequlib said:

Thanks for that confirmation on the Confederate cap pouch. I’ll leave it alone for now, cob-webs and all, as I thought that would be the right thing to do. I’ll start another thread soon on the 1/4 plate. Also, if I get a chance, a half year ago I found a 4” solid shot at another estate sale. I’ll post some pics of it too to get opinions on whether it is military or sport:)

Thanks again Paul. I’ll get busy!

Wow estate sales in Oregon sound very fruitful. Congratulations on your finds and I look forward to seeing photos of more.

Paul

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Just chiming in to say nice find on the Confederate cap pouch, worth quite a bit more than the run of the mill federal pouches! 

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Thanks AustinO. After reading about cap pouches in the ‘Civil War Collectibles‘ book I was hopeful. I appreciate the confirmation.

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  • 3 weeks later...
3jusequlib
12 hours ago, albatrosdva said:

Fwiw I have a few loose powder flask pieces. I might be able to provide the missing spout

Thank you albatrosdva. That is very kind of you. Let me know if you find a spout that you think would work for this flask. If you need a spout opening diameter just let me know? As a new member, I’m not familiar with the procedure for procuring an item from a fellow member. Perhaps you have done this before.

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