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Page 26 The Antique Shoppe September, 2018
metal detecting, maybe 40 years ago, was on Clark’s Mountain in Orange
The Civil War Collector County, Virginia, with several friends on a hot summer day. Glenn Glakas and
I were just getting back to the car when we heard The Village People’s song,
“In the Navy,” being sung loudly by Frank McLaughlin of Covington, Louisiana,
By John Sexton which seemed quite out of place—until he got to the car and showed off the
CSN ship button he had just found. I’m sure Leonard Smith and Dan Cook
remember being out-hunted by Frank. We had all found CS buttons that day,
Q. I found this button on my property near Augusta, Georgia, a few days ago. but none of us remember any of them except Frank’s navy. That button was
No other relics found so far other than this button. What is it worth? probably worth more then than it is today, as markets and tastes change.
—Fred, Hepzibah, GA Congratulations, Fred. Good luck with more finds.
JS: That is a really scarce button you found. Confederate Navy buttons are
among the rarest of Civil War buttons, most of which were imported. Alphaeus SHOWN LEFT: A rare Confederate Navy button showing a three-masted schooner
Albert in his text, Record of American Uniform and Historical Buttons, and “CSN.” The Confederate Navy was very small so the need for buttons was
describes 22 distinct varieties, and only three of those were made in the also small. Surviving examples are always highly cherished among collectors.
United States. Your example, which Albert designates as “CS 68,” is the only Note the crisp, well-defined back mark, “EM Lewis & Co Richmond VA.”
maker-marked Confederate button
that is local to the U.S. Q. John, here are some pics of a CS sword. It
The manufacturer’s mark, “E. M. came from an old friend of mine who was an
Lewis & Co., Richmond VA,” is found Indian artifact collector, and he had some Civil
on the back of the button in raised War stuff as well. We found it in an old printer’s
letters in a depressed channel. The cabinet in the bottom drawer that was locked.
shank is missing, and there is a push We had to pry it open, and the sword was in
in the front, but the sailing ship the back wrapped in a sock. The blade is 18 3/8
vignette above “CSN” is clear and inches long and 2 ¼ inches wide at the handle.
easily discerned. Similar examples The handle is about 5 1/2 inches long and it is
can be found priced at Civil War 3 3/4 inches wide at the guard. I would like to
tradeshows for about $1,200. A know the value and have it authenticated.
dealer would probably pay between —Thanks, Kent
50%-75% in today’s market.
One of my fondest memories of

OCALA - BELLEVIEW - CRYSTAL RIVER

REDDICK - WILLISTON
SHOWN: Possibly a reproduction of
a CS sword; if real, dealers price it at
NOW OPEN IN NEW LOCATION Heritage Antiques $4,000-$5,000.

aka JS: I believe this sword is a reproduction,
the Old Wander Inn but I would need to see it in person to
DIGGERS ANTIQUE MALL
1811 N. PINE AVE. 103 NW Hwy. 19 be 100% sure. This particular pattern
Historic Downtown is not often seen faked. It is unknown
MOSSY OAKS ANTIQUE MALL OCALA, FL 34475 Crystal River, FL 34428 who the original manufacturer was,
352-563-5597
8,000 Sq. Ft. 30+ Dealers Mon-Sat 10:30-5 352-629-5250 but a few collectors believe it was
6260 SE 118th Place Open 7 Days a Week Open Daily possibly Leech & Rigdon in Columbus,
6/10 mi. S. of Belleview on Hwy 301 Clock Repair • Post Cards Mississippi, where other weapons were
Belleview, FL 34420 Mon-Sat 10am-5:30pm • Sun 12-5pm Antiques • Collectibles made in 1862. The style of lettering of
352-307-0090 DiggersAntiques@gmail.com Handpainted Furniture
Offering a Dazzling Variety of Mid Century Modern the “C” and “S” are similar to those
Antique & Vintage Merchandise WE BUY AND SELL ESTATES found on other products known by this
Professional Furniture Restoration Available ACCEPTING NEW VENDORS www.heritageantiquesmall.com firm which was a major Confederate
Check out our albums on Facebook 45 38 40 supplier of edged weapons, revolvers
and associated accoutrements.
• ANTIQUE • Back Door Antiques at auction and on dealer sites priced
Williston’s Newest Antique Store
This popular pattern can be found
EMPORIUM from about $4,000-$5,000 for best
36 E. Noble Ave. · Williston original examples. A relic example sold

17990 NW 77 Ave Antiques-Furniture-Books-Collectibles & More in auction last year for about $2,500.
th
Some really good fakes were sold
Reddick, FL 32686 Dixie’s Antiques Mall by an Independence, Missouri, vendor
352-591-1221 Antiques, Collectibles & Gifts from the late 1960s through the
OPEN 1990s. Yours appears of the quality I
112 W. Noble Ave. Tue-Sat 10-4 remember in that pattern from that
- OPEN DAILY 10-6 - Williston, FL 32696 Parking company. Their swords were made by
I-75 at Exit 368 (352) 528-2338 at rear craftsmen in Spain whose quality in
of Store
Over 8,000 sq. ft. of Air Conditioned Comfort some patterns still fools collectors
info@antiqueemporiumfl.comm 36 with 75+ “FILLED TO THE RAFTERS” booths 28 and dealers today.
Rental Booths Available
ANTIQUEEMPORIUMFL.COM Open 10-5 Mon-Sat 27 BackDoorAntiques.org · 352-528-0769 Continued on Page 32