Naval & Military
We offer a variety of naval artifacts, many quite rare, including sailor's personal possessions. Also naval manuscript material and photography. Manuscript and photography material can also be found in there separate categories.
A0285 VERY RARE CIVIL WAR EMBROIDERED SAILOR'S CAP FROM USS PENSACOLA
Very few of these Civil War caps survive. This is an exceptional example made from blue dyed wool with hand stitched top in pie shaped segments. Wonderful multicolored silk thread embroidered top. Black silk side ribbon and hat tally hand painted with the ship's name and flanked by painted anchors. No lining but a fine colored sweat band.
$5700SOLD
A0287 SAILOR'S DITTY BOX USS CANANDAIGUA
This 19th century box is elaborately carved, bearing the name; “USS CANANDAIGUA” on the front with a spread wing eagle on the top with 4 stars in each corner. One end is carved: “U S N” while the opposite end has the owner’s initials “W T R”. Made with dove-tail joints and fitted with a key lock (key missing). Later lined with felt.
The CANANDAIGUA was a Civil War sloop of war launched in Boston in 1862. She served throughout the Civil War as part of the south Atlantic blockade squadron. She captured the Confederate blockade runner Sesesh. She part in the attacks on Charleston. She was broken up in 1875.
$950
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A0208 WALKING STICK FROM TIMBER OF THE ROYAL GEORGE
The Royal George was a 100 gun first rate Ship of the Line launched in 1756. In 1782 as flagship of Admiral Kempenfeit she was at anchor off Spithead undergoing repairs. She was heeled over by moving the guns to one side when water began to flood into the lower gunports. She sank taking about 800 sailors, visitors and Admiral Kempenfeit. During the 1830s - 1840s divers recovered some guns and timber which were used to make commemoritive objects, this walking stick being an example.
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The shaft is made from the timber with a turned bronze cap engraved with a scene of the sinking of the Royal George. Around the cap is engraved: Royal George Sank 1782 Raised 1840
$525
A0013 PRESENTATION SPEAKING TRUMPET 1858
This important and unique presentation speaking trumpet Inscribed: Presented to Capt. James F P Rust By The Members of the Association August 21 1858
Prior to the Civil War, Captain Rust was owner and master of the bark HERSILIA of New York. During the Civil War he joined the navy and assumed the rank of Acting 1st Assistant Engineer aboard the USS AGAWAM and the expedition up the James River. After the war he served aboard the USS OSCEOLA.
The unique hammered relief decoration depicts a ship in a storm, a man in a small boat and a humorous scene of one man being bucked off a mule as the mule bites another in the butt.
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The photo shows officers aboard the AGAWAM one of which is certainly James Rust
$2750
A0211 REVOLUTIONARY WAR WATER KEG
Choice all original 18th century Revolutionary War barrel style soldier's camp keg canteen. Made of wood staves and bound with iron bands with raised wood spout and hand forged bail handle. Canteen is in exceptional condition being tight with no loose staves. Measures 10 inches long and 6.5 inches diameter across the heads.
$950
A0176 LITHOGRAPH OF USS MENDOTA
Original lithograph by Endicott of New York titled The United States Gunboat Mendota.
The Mendota was sidewheel steamer launched in 1863 and acquired by the Navy. She served on the North Atlantic Blockade at the James River.
The print is in fine condition, professionally cleaned with some minor margin repairs. Unframed, 20.25 x 33 inches.
$950
A0301 THE ANDREW INDERWICK NAVAL ARCHIVE 1807 - 1820
This archive consists of 13 letters written by Andrew Inderwick, Royal Navy officer who served aboard several warships during the Napoleonic and War of 1812. He details accounts of the growing conflict between Britain and the Americans. Includes details of clashes with the America.
One fascinating account describes a strange creature found dead on a beach 35 feet in length and having hoofs like a horse. Inderwick records the account from the captain of the brig Slade that was under convoy of HMS Crocodile. A complete summery of each letter is available upon request.
$2750
A0077 LARGE CIVIL WAR PHOTO OF USS TUSCARORA WITH COMMISION OF D. H. CROWELL
Captain David H. Crowell 1820-1920 of Chatham Massachusetts entered the U S Navy in 1861 and served as Acting Master aboard the USS Tuscarora. Prior to his enlistment in the Civil War, he headed a party of Argonauts to California during the Gold Rush.
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This period photograph, commission, signed by Navy Secretary Gideon Wells and the CDV of Crowell were owned by him. The albumen of the Tuscarora is huge measuring 13.5 x 18 inches (sight) in period frame. The reverse inscribed with Crowell's service on the warship. Click the link below for Crowell's biography published in: Chatham Sea Captains in the Age of Sail
$1750
A0209 RARE ROYAL NAVY MANUSCRIPT FITTING MORE BOW CHASE GUNS
This 4 page manuscript, dated 1825 was written by Richard Blake, master shipwright at the Portsmouth Dockyard to the Navy Board. Titled: Mem'd of R. Blake's Bow It details Blake's new bow design for 74 gun ships of the line so that additional chase guns can be added to the bow. He mentions a model made to demonstrate that double the guns could be mounted on two decks. The document has an original plan illustrating the idea. 1822 watermark.
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Richard Blake was master shipwright at the Portsmouth Dockyard from 1835-1841. This document dates 1825 before he was appointed as master shipwright. Fine condition, 12 5/8 x 15 1/2
$350
A0253 USS CONSTITUTION SOUVENIR BOX
Oak and bronze box made from material from the USS CONSTITUTION c.1927
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This box is one of a number of souvenir objects made to support the restoration of the frigate CONSTITUTION in 1927-1930. These boxes made from oak and bronze have become extremely collectable with some reaching 4 figures at auction.
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This example is in fine condition with a fine dark patina.
SOLD
A0086 A PAIR OF BUILDING RECEIPTS FOR THE USS CONSTITUTION DATED 1798
These highly sought after receipts date from the building of the famed frigate CONSTITUTION. They were received by Henry Jackson, Naval Agent for the Boston Navy Yard.
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The top example is for the gun carriage's ironwork and is signed by David Cobb and states for the Frigate Constitution.
The second signed by Benjamin White is for surveying timber at the Boston Navy Yard. Though does not mention the Constitution, All these Jackson receipts were for the building work done on the Constitution.
SOLD
A0228 RARE USS CONSTITUTION GAVEL
This gavel was made from oak timber from the frigate CONSTITUTION in 1907 when the ship went through a moderate restoration after her return from Portsmouth Navy Yard.
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Very few objects can be found from this restoration, making it much rarer than objects made from the 1927-1930 rebuilding.
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This gavel came from noted historian Joe Copley of Portsmouth NH. It is inscribed on the handle: "1907 U.S.S. Constitution built 1797. In War 1812" 11 .5 inches
SOLD
A0094 LOGBOOK: FRIGATES BRANDYWINE & UNITED STATES 1830-33
This naval logbook begins with the frigate Brandywine under the command of E.P. Kennedy, but soon under James Biddle and Mathew C. Perry in the Mediterranean Squadron. Daily entries, some lengthy of naval content. James Dalgren of Civil War fame is
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mentioned as a midshipman. Among famous ships mention are the frigate Constitution and Constellation. No covers and the first few pages are rough with stains and corner losses but no loss to content.