Be vewy vewy quiet, we are hunting...

[Digger54]

I found this wascal a few years ago in the deep woods of the SC Lowcountry where a few other scraps of brass, enfield bullet drops, and a South Carolina State seal popped up. Nothing else. My thoughts are either it was a drop from hunters, or a civil war soldier was carrying it as a keepsake from his child. I am very curious about this brass rabbit.

I want to clean it up and gently polish off the rough patina but I am hesitant if it has some sort of specific history. Input?

 

[mick56]

I would not clean it any more than it already is.

Cleaning it would destroy most of its value.

 

[Digger54]

I would not clean it any more than it already is.

Cleaning it would destroy most of its value.

The history and possible value is what I am trying to determine. Unless this item has specific history or a high monetary value (which I doubt), I am inclined to go against my policy of leaving relics unaltered and polish it for a better appearance.

 

[creskol]

I would not clean it any more than it already is.

Cleaning it would destroy most of its value.

The history and possible value is what I am trying to determine. Unless this item has specific history or a high monetary value (which I doubt), I am inclined to go against my policy of leaving relics unaltered and polish it for a better appearance.

Regardless, I personally would leave it as-is! Can't make it have a better appearance than it does right there! That is nice relic!

 

[Goodyguy]

I'm having trouble finding a match..... hard to find a rabbit wearing shoes and jacket, Not Peter Rabbit or the White Rabbit of Alice in Wonderland.

 

[Bramblefind]

Maybe this guy? Benjamin Bunny - from the Peter Rabbit series:

 

[Digger54]

Maybe this guy? Benjamin Bunny - from the Peter Rabbit series:

That looks like an exact match to me! Very good detective work. That being the case, it had to have been a hunter drop since Benjamin Bunny was first introduced in 1904. Very strange that the drop would have happended right in the middle of a small relic site in the deep woods. Maybe a hunter took along his son or daughter who dropped it, or just carried it for good luck. I once found a 1921 Silver dollar under a huge oak in a confederate picket point which told me it had to have been a hunter drop from the tree.

 

[Goodyguy]

Yep Benjamin Bunny

 

[Digger54]

Yep Benjamin Bunny

Thanks to all! My next step is trying to figure out who made the figurine and when.

 

[Goodyguy]

Yep Benjamin Bunny

Thanks to all! My next step is trying to figure out who made the figurine and when.

Check the bottom real good for markings.

 

[Digger54]

No Markings

Check the bottom real good for markings.
[/quote]

Went over the bottom real good with a jeweler's loop and no mark. : (

 

[Kenosha Kid]

Re: No Markings

Went over the bottom real good with a jeweler's loop and no mark. : (

A lot of the Vienna bronze pieces / cold painted miniatures (similar to yours) aren't signed/marked:

http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/726641

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/tiny-old-miniature-vienna-bronze-rabbit-figurine

The Benjamin Bunny pieces I've seen are in the standing position (the sitting rabbit in the top link just lists it as "rabbit" so it could possibly be an imitation of Benjamin Bunny):

http://cgi.ebay.com/BEATRIX-POTTER-...eAntiques_Collectables_EH&hash=item56413a7661

 

[Digger54]

Re: No Markings

Went over the bottom real good with a jeweler's loop and no mark. : (

A lot of the Vienna bronze pieces / cold painted miniatures (similar to yours) aren't signed/marked:

http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/726641

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/tiny-old-miniature-vienna-bronze-rabbit-figurine

The Benjamin Bunny pieces I've seen are in the standing position (the sitting rabbit in the top link just lists it as "rabbit" so it could possibly be an imitation of Benjamin Bunny):

http://cgi.ebay.com/BEATRIX-POTTER-...eAntiques_Collectables_EH&hash=item56413a7661

Excellent information, thanks!