Peculiar Little Rarity from the Trenches...

[parsonwalker]

Haven't posted in a VERY long time, because I haven't had a chance to really do serious hunting in a very long time. Went to an old campsite and dug a partial infantry Kepi emblem, and an Eagle button not 20" away. The balance of the day consisted of a couple of three-ringers, a piece of spoon and some Percussion caps.



My digging buddy says that this little cylindrical piece with the loop is a pretty rare Confederate "igniter" connected to artillery. He couldn't recall much and I have found zero on the internet about it. He thought it was called a "McCoy Igniter," or a "McCroy Igniter?" Anybody can enlighten me?

 

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[relic nut]

No help here, but it looks like a great hunt. Glad you got out.

HH, RN

 

[trapperart]

No help here but congrats on some nice finds

 

[digging440yrs]

Are you thinking of maybe C.A. McEvoy of Richmond Virginia ?

 

[parsonwalker]

Are you thinking of maybe C.A. McEvoy of Richmond Virginia ?

Man, you are GOOD!! Mystery solved. This is what Pete George (Cannonball Guy) wrote about them sometime back (someone else's post):


For photos of intact dug and non-dug McEvoy igniters, see pages 64-64 of "Artillery Fuses of the Civil War" by Charles H. Jones.

You're correct, a McEvoy fuze-igniter is a very scarce relic. Scarce enough that (strictly for Historical Records purposes) I'd like to make a note of the battle-location (and specific time-period) your specimens are from.

Congratulations on what we Artillery fans consider a very cool find. smiling smiley

Regards,
Pete [PCGeorge]

 

[chrisdigs]

Nice relics glad you where able to get out....congrats

 

[texjim]

Awesome digs...