Recent Civil War Recoveries & Farriers

[Valley Ranger]

Here are some of my better finds from a recent Civil War relic hunt. We hunted what was a dug in Union camp near Culpeper, VA. Many of the finds indicate that the camp was occupied by a lot of farriers and the army's mules and horses. I found quite a few mule shoes and others did as well, along with a lot of curry combs. Here are some of my more interesting finds: A pair of farrier's nippers (will be cleaned), a broken set of brass calipers for map reading/making (or possibly used as farrier toe calipers/dividers), a US rosette from a bridle bit, rein end, musket ball, a complete Eagle button, part of another, several button backs, a rivet with some of the leather still attached, a horseshoe nail, a square nail, and 3 unidentified pieces that may be saddle or accoutrement related. Got some more iron pieces I'll post later. Can anyone ID the 3 items on the right?


Image on the right is a period photo of Union Army Civil War farriers.

 

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[beez0404]

Those are some very nice CW relics. Great job saving them.

 

[Valley Ranger]

Those are some very nice CW relics. Great job saving them.

Thanks beez. I really like the nippers. A personal tool always carries a special meaning to me.

 

[VOL1266-X]

Nice recoveries Richard. Farriers were very important to cavalry. Many were Farriers before the war don't you think? HH, Q.

 

[Valley Ranger]

Nice recoveries Richard. Farriers were very important to cavalry. Many were Farriers before the war don't you think? HH, Q.

Yes, I think so Quindy. Of course, back then, many soldiers, (especially Southern boys) could do their own farrier work. Most of those men in that photo were, according to the source, very recent immigrants. The farrier work in the war, along with what it took to feed the mules and horses each day, was quite a monumental job.

 

[Pointman]

There is a military camp just close to where I live which was put together at the start of WWI. They had a small battalion of men that did nothing but take care of the horses. There is a road where I believe their camp was situated and they would move the horses down, which is now a highway.

 

[pong12211]

Wow you are really digging history. Congrats on the finds hope they keep coming for you.

 

[Valley Ranger]

There is a military camp just close to where I live which was put together at the start of WWI. They had a small battalion of men that did nothing but take care of the horses. There is a road where I believe their camp was situated and they would move the horses down, which is now a highway.

Very interesting. Have you hunted the area yet?

 

[Valley Ranger]

Wow you are really digging history. Congrats on the finds hope they keep coming for you.

Thanks Pong.

 

[detectahead]

Nice recoveries!! Nippers are cool!

 

[Valley Ranger]

Nice recoveries!! Nippers are cool!

Thanks! Yes, can't want to clean them up.

 

[WheatWaffle]

Nice finds!

 

[Davers]

Nice Finds..

 

[Mud Hut]

Are you sure those are nippers? The shallow, low angle jaws don't seem like they were designed for that purpose.

 

[BuckleBoy]

Those are some fantastic and seldom-seen CW relics! Well done.

 

[pepperj]

Nice saves on the relics, the three items you asked about remind me of support rivet/pins that would of ran through wood supporting the two pieces, thus having the washer on the ends.

 

[Valley Ranger]

Are you sure those are nippers? The shallow, low angle jaws don't seem like they were designed for that purpose.

Too small to be pullers. My farrier son thinks they're most likely nippers.

 

[Valley Ranger]

Nice saves on the relics, the three items you asked about remind me of support rivet/pins that would of ran through wood supporting the two pieces, thus having the washer on the ends.

Yes, that's what I was thinking - maybe to hold a leather pouch or something? Thanks.

 

[Valley Ranger]

Those are some fantastic and seldom-seen CW relics! Well done.

Thanks Buckle!

 

[markp]

nice pieces of history