Probably Our Most Significant Historical and Least Common Find

[cambria09]

Howdy All. We dug this on 04/14/12 at an 1880 farmhouse in Central Florida. We hunt several home and farm sites locally from the late 1800's to 1930's and find many of the same relics that I have seen posted on T-Net (harmonica pcs, ammo, makeup items, buckles, old glass, buttons, tack and car parts, coins, tokens, household goods, toys, tools, keys and locks, etc.) but I have yet to see anything posted like this relic.

It was patented in on August 1, 1865 and was made by a leather goods manufaturer in based in France and NY City. At first I did not realize the siginificance of this item. Growing up in the south I have heard the term "carpet bagger" and "scalawag"... I believe this brass piece may have belonged to one! Carpet baggers and scalawags were southerners who immediately after the Cival War exploited the South in the name of reconstruction.

The item pictured was a valise or carpet bag latch of that era. It was patented by Bernard Stienmetz on 8/1/1865, 108 days after Lincoln was assasinated at Fords Theater. It has (34) stars on one side, the same number of states in the Union from 1861 to 1863. While I don't know if it actually belonged to a carpet bagger and the dates are little off regarding the number of stars and states in the Union in 1865, I am convinced of both conclusions. (Can you blame me?)

Patent US49207 - BERNARD STEINMETZ - Google Patents

Incidentally we dug it one day shy of the 147th anniversary of Lincoln's assaination...far-out and solid huh?

My wife thinks I going through a mid-life crisis but I can't seem to get enough of this hobby and finds like this make it worse. Thanks for the view and may the finds be with you.

C9

 

[got2dig]

Nice find!

 

[jewelerguy]

that's pretty cool!

 

[Papa Bear]

A nice piece of history and reminder to all that there was nothing civil about the War of Northern Aggression.....Well done!!

 

[Mackaydon]

You may be aware the R. Neumann and Co. business and building in NY still existed as of just a few years ago--and may still. If they do, they may be able to shed more light on your find.
Try: R. Newmann and Co.
Description – Leather Goods Manufacturers
Address – 300 Observer Hwy, Hoboken, New Jersey ( NJ ) 07030-8410
Telephone – (201) 659-3400
Don.......

 

[Tnmountains]

Very cool find but the carpet baggers and skaliwags were from the North exploiting the South Sir haha. We were just protecting our women and children.
Nice find c-9 and HH to ya.
TnMtns

 

[cambria09]

Very cool find but the carpet baggers and skaliwags were from the North exploiting the South Sir haha. We were just protecting our women and children.
Nice find c-9 and HH to ya.
TnMtns

Hello Tnmountains. I stand corrected. I should have indicated that Carpetbaggers and Skalawags were opportunists mostly from the north not the south looking for easy gains to be made in the impoverished Confederate States...we still have them here...they are now called "politicians".

Thanks for the correction to my typo. HH C9

 

[leprechaun]

Nice historicle find.

 

[Valley Ranger]

Hello Tnmountains. I stand corrected. I should have indicated that Carpetbaggers and Skalawags were opportunists mostly from the north not the south looking for easy gains to be made in the impoverished Confederate States...we still have them here...they are now called "politicians".

Thanks for the correction to my typo. HH C9

Ok, this is far too important distinction not to get it right. A "Carpetbagger" was actually a person from the North who came to the South after the WBTS to take advantage of the decimated economy and impoverished Southerners. The earned their name because of the luggage bags they often carried - made from used carpets.

A "Scalawag" was a whole different animal. This was a Southerner who supported Reconstruction after the WBTS, - even the most abusive aspects of it - for his own personal gain and advantage.

 

[cambria09]

Ok, this is far too important distinction not to get it right. A "Carpetbagger" was actually a person from the North who came to the South after the WBTS to take advantage of the decimated economy and impoverished Southerners. The earned their name because of the luggage bags they often carried - made from used carpets.

A "Scalawag" was a whole different animal. This was a Southerner who supported Reconstruction after the WBTS, - even the most abusive aspects of it - for his own personal gain and advantage.

Hello Old Stonewall. Dang I am corrected again. You are right this is too important to get wrong. Thanks for the clarification, I always thought that C-baggers and Salawags were one and the same. Thanks again and good hunting to you. C9

 

[Mzjavert]

That's something I would have never thought of finding. Not that I'd find one in Indiana. Great bit of history.

 

[PikesPeakCharlie]

Man I just love items like this ! Nice find, Congrats !!!!

 

[rabajohn]

I like thinking that your latch came off while the carpetbagger was being beat on the head with it by an intended Southern victim! Noting the crack, it all fits nicely.

 

[Jess]

Here is an image from the US Patent and Trademark and Trademark Office.

It is a bag lock, I looked it up by the Patent number

 

[Jess]

And here is the text that goes along with it




edit! Haha! I just noticed the Google link you put in your original post. I feel like a dork.

 

[Gunrunner61]

Killer find!.................HH

 

[Erik in NJ]

Yes, I see the faint writing "R. Neumann & Co" on an old brick smoke stack (I believe that's what it is) every day as my train pulls into Hoboken....I will try to get a photo of it and post it here. Hoboken is in New Jersey (as in your address) and not New York. I thought it was an old relic still standing.

 

[cambria09]

Yes, I see the faint writing "R. Neumann & Co" on an old brick smoke stack (I believe that's what it is) every day as my train pulls into Hoboken....I will try to get a photo of it and post it here. Hoboken is in New Jersey (as in your address) and not New York. I thought it was an old relic still standing.

Hello Erik in NJ. Thanks for the reply. A picture would be great. I have been looking for an email address for the company to send them a pic of this find thinking they may be able to shed more light on it but can't find them on the internet. Let me know if you can help.

HH. C9

 

[Erik in NJ]

Hi - give me a few days as it looks like rain most of the week. Did you try the telephone number that someone posted? Regards, Erik

 

[cambria09]

Hi - give me a few days as it looks like rain most of the week. Did you try the telephone number that someone posted? Regards, Erik

Hello Erik. Yes, I called them this morning and they agreed to take a look at it. The fellow I talked to said that the R. Neumann Co. was begun in 1863 and has concerns in France and Germany also. I will post any new info that comes to light. Thanks for the reply. Chris