Civil War Relic In Amazing Condition!

[UnderMiner]

Found this really neat looking three-pronged fork today. When I spotted it among the heaps of junk at the dump I knew it was special.
It is made of wood, pewter, and steel.

My research indicates that it is over 150 years old, dating back to the American Civil War. Though a bit rusty it is in remarkable condition.
The wooden handle is connected to the steel prongs by a pewter inlay in the shape of a three leaf clover. My first Civil War fork, and it's a lucky one! So happy!

I read that these were used by both Union and Confederate soldiers:

Pewter clover inlay:

There is some rust on it and the handle is dried out and separating on the inside, but it is still in remarkable condition for its age:

 

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[MrMikeJackie]

Cool find bro! I was waiting for the next dump find. Good save

 

[relic nut]

That thing is awesome!! I found just the fork part of one at a Union camp but it was toasted. Yours is awesome! Congrats

 

[Garrett424]

That is a fantastic find. The condition IS amazing.

Congrats.

 

[sutphin]

MINER THAT FORK COULD NOT BE MUCH MORE FINER . LOOKS TO HAVE BEEN ISSUED YESTERDAY. DANG YOU SURE ARE ONE LUCKY FELLA . I FOUND ONE ONLY WITH 2 TINES , HELL I WOULDNT BE SURPRISED IF YOU DONT POST THE KNIFE , SPOON AN PLATE TO GO WITH IT. YOU LUCKY DOG. NICE SHOW CASE PEICE. THE CLOVER INLAY STANDS OUT FOR SURE.

 

[UnderMiner]

MINER THAT FORK COULD NOT BE MUCH MORE FINER . LOOKS TO HAVE BEEN ISSUED YESTERDAY. DANG YOU SURE ARE ONE LUCKY FELLA . I FOUND ONE ONLY WITH 2 TINES , HELL I WOULDNT BE SURPRISED IF YOU DONT POST THE KNIFE , SPOON AN PLATE TO GO WITH IT. YOU LUCKY DOG. NICE SHOW CASE PEICE. THE CLOVER INLAY STANDS OUT FOR SURE.

Thanks Sutphin! Yes, this is definitely going in a showcase one day. I always keep my eye out for strange looking and unique items, but honestly I didn't know the true significance of what this was until I got home and did some research. I knew it was old but I was stunned to learn it was from the Civil War. I'm still pretty stoked, and I will undoubtedly be returning to the place I found this and looking for more tomorrow .

 

[Goldiver]

Wow, nice score!

Steve

 

[OBN]

Fine catch again!!

 

[Mach1Pilot]

Nice one right there - too bad they don't survive in the ground that well!

 

[CoinandRelicMan]

Nice save Bro !!!

 

[CRUSADER]

A little sketchy with the CW connection, don't you think? Doesn't look military issue to me, so although CW era, I assume these were used in domestic situations as well? If not please explain? (love to know what makes it CW)

 

[UnderMiner]

A little sketchy with the CW connection, don't you think? Doesn't look military issue to me, so although CW era, I assume these were used in domestic situations as well? If not please explain? (love to know what makes it CW)

I admit there is no evidence of it being used in the actual war. But I never said it was, it just dates to the US Civil War time period. This type of fork was used by both civilians and soldiers alike so there is no way to tell who used it or where. Still this IS the kind of fork regularly found in Civil War camps and battle grounds so it isn't too far fetched to think it could at one time been in the war.

 

[Brother Al]

I admit there is no evidence of it being used in the actual war. But I never said it was, it just dates to the US Civil War time period. This type of fork was used by both civilians and soldiers alike so there is no way to tell who used it or where. Still this IS the kind of fork regularly found in Civil War camps and battle grounds so it isn't too far fetched to think it could at one time been in the war.

We were all at war?

 

[CRUSADER]

I admit there is no evidence of it being used in the actual war. But I never said it was, it just dates to the US Civil War time period. This type of fork was used by both civilians and soldiers alike so there is no way to tell who used it or where. Still this IS the kind of fork regularly found in Civil War camps and battle grounds so it isn't too far fetched to think it could at one time been in the war.

Never said far fetched & agreed it was period. But your title states 'Civil War Relic', that was all. I just like to stick to facts as much as possible or we just wander off into fairyland. After all we are finders/collectors of 'History' not fiction.

 

[UnderMiner]

Never said far fetched & agreed it was period. But your title states 'Civil War Relic', that was all. I just like to stick to facts as much as possible or we just wander off into fairyland. After all we are finders/collectors of 'History' not fiction.

The facts are it dates to the American Civil War period and was used by the people of this age, and that's all I'm claiming of it.

 

[CRUSADER]

The facts are it dates to the American Civil War period and was used by the people of this age, and that's all I'm claiming of it.

Good we agree. Otherwise we start claiming every harmonica reed is a CW relic...lol

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

"My first Civil War fork . . . "

In that case I still have a Vietnam War Boy Scout mess kit! The time is right and we were all at war. ;-)

 

[d2]

That style was from the time period but were not issued to troops. I have found that very type around old house places and in and around yankee camps here in Arkansas. I found a bunch of broken ones at a camp on the river. All parts were there buried in the sand. The tines, spoon part and one knife blade along with bullets and melted bullets. The only handle I kept is one I found in the river. I have it in a bottle of river water now. I assume that they destroyed the silver ware so no one else would be able to use it. I figure they probably stole it anyway. Y'all know how them yankee's were... d2

 

[CRUSADER]

That style was from the time period but were not issued to troops. I have found that very type around old house places and in and around yankee camps here in Arkansas. I found a bunch of broken ones at a camp on the river. All parts were there buried in the sand. The tines, spoon part and one knife blade along with bullets and melted bullets. The only handle I kept is one I found in the river. I have it in a bottle of river water now. I assume that they destroyed the silver ware so no one else would be able to use it. I figure they probably stole it anyway. Y'all know how them yankee's were... d2

That is all I was trying to say, that that is no need to stretch the truth, because on this forum the truth shines through. Because we are all a bunch of history nuts....lol

 

[Tnmountains]

Maybe a better title would have been "150 year old fork is rescued"! It is a nice fork where ever it was used.