Civil War Collectibles for Sale
Civil War pieces are among the most reproduced items in the antiques trade, and a convincing copy can fool even an experienced eye. Paying collector prices for a cast reproduction belt plate or a rifle with replaced parts is a mistake many collectors make only once. Wild West Treasures sources Civil War collectibles for sale from gun shows and private collections in the United States and Europe, and describes every piece with its markings, condition and background.
Browse the Civil War collectibles
What are Civil War collectibles?
Civil War collectibles are original objects from the American Civil War of 1861 to 1865, ranging from firearms and edged weapons to accoutrements. Because the war armed millions of men in just four years, the variety of Civil War collectibles is huge, from mass-produced rifle-muskets to rare officers‘ pieces. The Civil War collectibles for sale in the catalogue fall into three main groups:
How do you recognise authentic Civil War collectibles?
Authentic Civil War collectibles usually reveal themselves through their markings and wear. On US martial arms, look for inspector‘s cartouches stamped into the wooden stock, matching serial numbers on the main parts and a patina that is consistent across metal and wood. Belt plates and buckles are the most frequently copied artefacts, so weight, casting quality and the construction of the back are worth checking closely. Provenance matters just as much, which is why all Civil War collectibles for sale here come from a known source. Pieces from the decades after the war, such as Hopkins and Allen revolvers, belong to the Old West rather than the Civil War.
Civil War collectibles from the US and Europe
Not every Civil War firearm was made in America. Both the Union and the Confederacy imported large numbers of European arms, such as British Enfield rifle-muskets with their Tower lock markings and Austrian Lorenz rifles. Many imported Civil War collectibles for sale today come from European collections, while American-made pieces such as Colt Navy revolvers and the early cartridge revolvers from the Smith & Wesson collection mostly come from US sources. Several carbines saw service again on the frontier after 1865, which links this period directly to the Wild West rifles that followed. Sourcing on both sides of the Atlantic is what allows the catalogue to offer Civil War collectibles from both worlds within its wider range of antique military and frontier arms.
Request details on a Civil War piece
Contact us with the rifle, accoutrement or artefact you have in mind, and you will receive a personal reply on its markings, condition and availability. All Civil War collectibles in the catalogue can be enquired about without obligation. Because new Civil War collectibles for sale arrive after every fair, a second look next month can pay off.
