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12 - Antique Shoppe - www.antiqueshoppefl.com
Hey, John, found you on the Internet. I may have a piece of American
history; looks like battle strategy and then a written turn of events. I’m
going to send some pictures your way. Maybe you can help me out with
this to figure out what exactly it is, if it’s real, and the possible value of
something like this.
Here is who signed the document; I can’t make the name out. If you
could help, that would be great.
Dear Sir, I found this item at an auction. I’ve been able to find some JS: This is a wonderful 3-page, detailed letter written just a few days
information on Nathan Ames, but not much concerning this specific after the Battle of Stones River in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, which
item. I have enclosed some pictures along with the two patents that most was fought Dec. 31, 1862 to Jan. 2, 1863. Captain Hodsden gives a
closely resemble the item. Thanks for any information you can provide! good account of troop movements during the battle along with a map
I appreciate it! showing the overall Union army position approaching Stones River and

JS: During the Civil War Era, there were Murfreesboro. He also tells of his older brother James’s death on the
several patented knife, spoon and fork first day’s battle from an exploding shell. Brother James (of Co. A, 18th
combinations sold to soldiers. I have not Ohio Volunteer Infantry) was buried at Stones River National Cemetery
seen this particular example actually at Murfreesboro.
marked Ames before, but I have seen Dewitt C. Hodsden,
unmarked examples priced at trade shows who wrote the letter for
for around $200. Hodsden, was a captain in
Ames is a popular maker, and I would the 9th Indiana Infantry. He
imagine it would bring a premium with would not survive the war,
good markings; maybe $300-$400 would being terribly wounded at
be a range it should sell in. Kennesaw Mountain on June
24, 1864, and dying of his

←A knife with spoon and a fork combination made wounds on July 27, 1864.
by Ames, $300-$400. The combo of eating utensils He is buried at the National
fitted together. Cemetery in Marietta,
Georgia.
Similar letters with maps
and detailed battle content
This is 1 1/2 inches tall and 1 1/2 inches are always in demand.
wide at the bottom of the bell. Presale estimate for auction

JS: There are a handful of different would be $500-$1,000,
Gen. George McClellan ferrotype where it would most likely
pinbacks. These were campaign pins find a home.
for the presidential election of 1864.
The condition of the ferrotype image is Map and description of the
most important, and typically, McClellan Battle of Stones River, $500-$1,000.
sells for around $1,000 on average. The
damage and chipping hurts this and will ----------------------------
probably bring about half, my guess. John Sexton is an independent appraiser and expert of Civil War memorabilia. He is an accredited member of
In the photo is a pair that sold for $1,300 ↑A McClellan presidential various appraiser organizations. He can be contacted at 770-329-4984. If you have a Civil War item for him to
at Heritage Auctions a few years ago. campaign pin with a ferrotype appraise, email a photo and a description to mclwriter@gmail.com.
image attached to a bell,
about $1,000.

Dear Sir, attached are photos of a Civil War rifle I own. I’d like to know anything about it, including its appraised worth. The
first four photos are of the gun and any identifying information on it I could find. The last two show it’s only flaw: there is a
bolt missing. (The photos show both sides of the gun where the bolt goes through.)
What is this worth in its present condition? Where can I get this professionally repaired so as to not harm its value?
Thank you.

JS: This is a popular Civil War percussion breech-loading carbine nicknamed a “grapevine carbine” due to the shape of a
loading lever. The gun is marked on the rear of the lock, “GWYN & CAMPBELL,” in an arch above “PATENT/1862/HAMILTON O”.
The frame is stamped, “UNION RIFLE,” vertically below the breech. Two inspector’s cartouches are found opposite the lock; one
is “WHR”. William H. Rogers inspected between 1862 and 1863.
Appears to be in good/very good condition overall. It also appears complete in your
photos, other than missing a lock screw which needs to be replaced, but that is minor.
Average good/very good examples are priced by dealers around $1,500. Excellent examples
retaining a bright case sell for more than double.

←A grapevine carbine made by Gwyn & Campbell, $1,500.
The rifle’s “Gwyn & Campbell” mark and “PATENT/1862/HAMILTON O”.