SCF-Collector Posted November 30, 2010 Share #1 Posted November 30, 2010 For those who might not be familar with the general term "ladder badges" - the name applies to a group of Veteran badges that identify a Veteran's unit (or units). The term is derived from the general construction of the badges - a series of bars connected by chain-loops with each bar designating the Veteran's unit (company, regiment, State, type of unit). There is a wide variety of badges that fall into this category - from the traditional 3-4-5 bar true "ladder" badge - to those that have a 1-2 arched bars with a shield-shaped drop. The latter are usually stamped with the soldier's name/rank - with the former are usually not identified to an individual soldier. These badges first appear for Civil War Veterans - but they do exist for Span-Am war Veterans, and I'd imagine others. I have seen ladder badges for Infantry, Artillery (Heavy and Light), Cavalry, Engineer, and Navy service. These badges were usually "made" at the various reunion events. Vendors would set-up at the event with a supply of "bars" (e.g., State name bars, cavalry/infantry bars, company bars) and then construct them for the Veterans upon request. So you served in Company A, 30th regiment, New York, Infantry.....okay, let be hook those together for you. Would you like a tassle drop added to the bottom of the badge for $.05, or maybe a Corps badge for $.10 - and/or a ribbon? You can imagine the Veterans at their reunions - proudly displaying the designation of the unit(s) they served in (I've seen badges with more than one unit identified) - and in the process identifying themselves to other Veterans that served together. The majority of the pieces that are available are Yankee - but there are certainly Confederate badges out there (fairly scarce, but they do exist) - and that's what I wanted to post today. While I do own several Confederate ladder badges (all Virginia, of the "shield" variety) I've always wanted a Maryland badge - since I'm a native Marylander. I recently got lucky and picked up this ladder badge for the 1st Maryland Volunteer Infantry The 1st Maryland Volunteer Infantry was formed April 1861. It mustered-In on June 16, 1861 and mustered-Out on August 17, 1862, at Gordonsville (when its term expired). In that 14-or-so months of service it saw action as follows: - Helped Destroy the Arsenal at Harper's Ferry - 1st Manassas - Shenandoah Campaign - Front Royal - Winchester (1st) - Cross Keys - Peninsula Campaign - Malvern Hill An interesting aside - at the battle of Front Royal - the 1st Marland Infantry CS engaged its Union counterpart of the same designation. It is thought to be one of the only, if not the only time two identically designated units engaged during the Civil War. The 1st Maryland CS was victorious that day - taking prisoner many members of the 1st Maryland Union Infantry. Many of these men knew each other, including a pair of brothers fighting on opposite sides. These men, being unable to return to Maryland after being discharged, joined other Confederate units - but many went on to form the 2nd Maryland Volunteer Infantry CSA. The designation was changed to identify it as separate from the original 1st Maryland. At Appomattox the 2nd Maryland surrendered less than 50 men I'm absolutely thrilled to have added this piece to my collection - it's a great Confederate unit - and it's from Maryland! These Maryland ladder badges are scarce - I've seen maybe 6-8 in my many years of collecting - but they are out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan H. Posted November 30, 2010 Share #2 Posted November 30, 2010 All I can say is WOW! If only the general membership had a clue as to just how rare and historic these pieces are. Thanks for showing this and congratulations on the find! Allan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cutiger83 Posted November 30, 2010 Share #3 Posted November 30, 2010 Very cool! Have you ever seen a SC one?...Kat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluehawk Posted November 30, 2010 Share #4 Posted November 30, 2010 :w00t: Holy Moly What a great treat to see... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teufelhunde.ret Posted November 30, 2010 Share #5 Posted November 30, 2010 Great thread! Thx's for taking the time to post this one and the history behind them... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1perazzi Posted December 1, 2010 Share #6 Posted December 1, 2010 Very Very Nice :thumbsup: :drool2: Maryland to boot ! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1perazzi Posted December 1, 2010 Share #7 Posted December 1, 2010 Very Very Nice :thumbsup: :drool2: Maryland to boot ! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCF-Collector Posted December 1, 2010 Author Share #8 Posted December 1, 2010 Thanks Kat. Yes, I have seen a SC ladder badge or two over the years. They are certainly very scarce though - as are most confederate badges of this type. I did a quick Google search just now - to see what's out there - ran across a Mississippi, a Tennessee, and a Kentucky. Heck, I even saw an Arkansas ladder badge on eBay not long ago (1st and only one of those I've ever seen! Very cool! Have you ever seen a SC one?...Kat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cutiger83 Posted December 1, 2010 Share #9 Posted December 1, 2010 Thanks Kat. Yes, I have seen a SC ladder badge or two over the years. They are certainly very scarce though - as are most confederate badges of this type. I did a quick Google search just now - to see what's out there - ran across a Mississippi, a Tennessee, and a Kentucky. Heck, I even saw an Arkansas ladder badge on eBay not long ago (1st and only one of those I've ever seen! Thanks so much for getting back with me. My Great-Great Grandfather served in the Confederate Army. I will definitely keep an eye out for these! Don't know if I can afford one! ...Kat Edit: Just did a quick google search! These are worth some money! Don't think I can afford one! I will just admire yours! :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason G Posted December 2, 2010 Share #10 Posted December 2, 2010 I'm speechless. My GGGGrandfather served with Co D, 1st Md Cavalry. One of the few to enlist when Lee 'invaded' Md in Sept of 1862. What a fanstastic piece. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCF-Collector Posted December 2, 2010 Author Share #11 Posted December 2, 2010 Thanks Jason. I had a chance at a Company C, 1st Maryland Cavalry ladder badge many years ago. At that time I couldn't bring myself to make such a huge (at that time) investment in a single piece. I kick myself every time I think about that one. I hope one day to have another shot at that badge I'm speechless. My GGGGrandfather served with Co D, 1st Md Cavalry. One of the few to enlist when Lee 'invaded' Md in Sept of 1862. What a fanstastic piece. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
X_redcatcher Posted December 2, 2010 Share #12 Posted December 2, 2010 I have had a few of them however all from union units, great to see a reb one. I have been looking for one from the 110th PA for years.. good catch!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason G Posted December 3, 2010 Share #13 Posted December 3, 2010 Mickey....this is the first CS one I've ever seen. No doubt I couldn't afford one but it's great to see! Thanks for posting it up for us! Who knows, maybe I'll blunder into one at a yard sale LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grrrldoc Posted January 10, 2011 Share #14 Posted January 10, 2011 This is very nice, and I hate to throw a wet towel on things, but must admit I am very skeptical about the drop...It looks as though it is a recently added/modern item... Melanie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wartimecollectables.com Posted January 10, 2011 Share #15 Posted January 10, 2011 This is very nice, and I hate to throw a wet towel on things, but must admit I am very skeptical about the drop...It looks as though it is a recently added/modern item... Melanie It is unusual compared to what one see's on most ladder badges however it's 100% correct. These were sold at reunions by vendors who would make up whatever unit (Corps, Battery, Company, etc.) combination you wanted and many were sold impressed with the veteran's name. This 'drop' is typical UCV and has been seen on other badges and in period veteran images as well. It's a fine badge and Maryland is tough to find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted July 13, 2011 Share #16 Posted July 13, 2011 This is a shield type veteran badge in my collection.P.M.Faggart was part of the North Carolina JR. Reserves.The 2nd N.C. Junior Reserves were at Bentonville in 1865.Thanks for looking.Robert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted July 13, 2011 Share #17 Posted July 13, 2011 This is a shield type veteran badge in my collection.P.M.Faggart was part of the North Carolina JR. Reserves.The 2nd N.C. Junior Reserves were at Bentonville in 1865.Thanks for looking.Robert Thanks for sharing that: as you can see I have merged with another CSA ladder badge. I was not even aware of ladder badges until I picked up a Union grouping a couple weeks ago. They are quite interesting pieces, North or South, and I can only imagine that CSA cavalry badges are rather scarce. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan H. Posted July 14, 2011 Share #18 Posted July 14, 2011 Thanks for sharing that: as you can see I have merged with another CSA ladder badge. I was not even aware of ladder badges until I picked up a Union grouping a couple weeks ago. They are quite interesting pieces, North or South, and I can only imagine that CSA cavalry badges are rather scarce. Robert- AWESOME BADGE! I am quite impressed and appreciate getting to see it. FS- I know it is your forum, but this badge deserves it's own thread. This shield badge and ladder badges aren't the same thing. It's kind of like adding all of the airforce patches together into one thread because they are all air force patches as I see it. :thumbdown: Allan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted July 14, 2011 Share #19 Posted July 14, 2011 FS- I know it is your forum, but this badge deserves it's own thread. This shield badge and ladder badges aren't the same thing. It's kind of like adding all of the airforce patches together into one thread because they are all air force patches as I see it. :thumbdown: If we get as many members showing CSA badges and shields as we have AAF patches, I will split them out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted July 14, 2011 Share #20 Posted July 14, 2011 Allen Thanks for the comments.I am glad you could find it.Robert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croix de Guerre Posted July 15, 2011 Share #21 Posted July 15, 2011 Awesome history! Thank you for sharing these with us! Question: Are these heavily faked? :think: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted July 15, 2011 Share #22 Posted July 15, 2011 Awesome history! Thank you for sharing these with us! Question: Are these heavily faked? :think: I have never seen a great quanity of these badges floating around for sale.If something is faked they become plentiful and ebay becomes full of them.Hopefully there is something in the manufacturing of these badges that makes it real difficult and the fakers stay clear.Robert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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