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Page 30 The Antique Shoppe February, 2020
DID YOU KNOW?? Civil War
Sweethearts (also known as conversation
528
hearts) are small heart-shaped sugar candies Continued from Page 9
sold around Valentine's Day. Each heart is
printed with a message such as "Be Mine",
COCOA
"Kiss Me", "Call Me", or "Miss You".
520
Sweethearts were made by the New England
Forrest Ave.
Confectionery Company, or Necco, previously
also made by the Stark Candy Company. Necco
manufactured nearly 8 billion Sweethearts per A model 1847 sword carried by the Pope’s Civic Guard, $350-$520.
Florida Ave.
year.
After the bankruptcy of Necco, the rights to
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the candy were acquired by Spangler Candy Have you seen a handle
Sarno Rd.
Company on September 21, 2018. Q: like this before on a sword?
Because of the change, Sweethearts were There are no marks on the bottom of
MELBOURNE
not sold for Valentine's Day in 2019 but should the handle.
be available in 2020. 192 I have not seen this
Wickham Rd.
GRANT — FT. PIERCE Babcock St. JS: particular short sword
with this “fancy” design before. There are many short sword patterns that
2. Flamingle Collectibles Palm Bay Rd. originated with the Roman gladius sword. The French made the pattern popular
5900 US Hwy 1, Bldg C, Grant, FL 1 worldwide in the early 19th century for use by artillerists as last-ditch defense
3. Grant Antique Mall Malabar Rd. of their positions against cavalry. The U.S. Army adopted the pattern in 1832
5900 US Hwy 1, Grant, FL and contracted with the Ames sword company up through the Civil War.
321-726-6778 Valkaria Rd. 2 Many other countries used this pattern all through the 19th century; most
GRANT of these swords are not decorated and have fairly simple hilts, either with
4. Grant Central Antiques Grant Rd. 3 concentric ring grips or leaf-pattern grips. This example is quite ornate with
5900 US Hwy 1, Bldg B, Grant, FL SEBASTIAN 4 relief engraving on the cross-guard and pommel.
321-676-8727 512 Sebastian Blvd.
VERO BEACH I asked several sword dealers and collectors, and no one could identify this
5. The Castle Antique & Collectibles FL 60 - 20th St. 1 pattern until I contacted Jason Kaplan at JJmilitaryantiques.com who specializes
1102 S US Hwy 1, Ft. Pierce, FL Glendale Rd. in unusual patterns and rare bayonets. He identified it as “Gladio modello 1847
1
772-461-0656 5 della Guardia Civica Pontificia.” So, this sword is of Italian origin, model 1847,
FL 68 -Orange Ave
6. Pineapple Patti’s Antique Mall FL 70 Virginia Ave 6 worn by the Pope’s Civic Guard.
2739 S US Hwy 1, Ft. Pierce, FL Edwards Sunrise Oleander Searching European websites, three examples were found for sale, two in Italy
772-801-5723 FT. PIERCE and one in Czechoslovakia, priced from €320-470. ($350-$520). If this was sold
95 on eBay, using the Italian name, it would probably find a buyer in Europe more
likely than in the U.S

1 1
76
A reproduction of
a famous cannon
maker’s work, worth
$600 - $1,500.

I am working
Q. on an estate
and have come
across this cannon. I
am trying to find out
if it is a reproduction
or not. Here are
some photos. Thank
you for any info you can give
me.
Daniel King of
JS: Ge r man t o wn
was the most famous
Revolutionary War American
cannon maker. Very few of
his cannon survived, and
those that did are very valuable.
I have seen quite a few small bronze cannon of this genre with same markings
made in the 1960s, as I recall. This iron tube appears to be one of the same
reproductions made over 50 years ago. I have valued at least one bronze copy
for insurance for $1,500. Skinner auctions in Boston sold a similar bronze copy
for about $615 in an October 2016 sale. An original in today’s market would
bring hundreds of thousands of dollars.

John Sexton is an independent appraiser and expert of Civil War memorabilia. He is an accredited member of
various appraiser organizations. He can be contacted at 770-329-4984 or www.CivilWarDealer.com.
For a free appraisal of a Civil War item, email a photo and a description to mclwriter@gmail.com.