fort finds what are they???

[alderan33]

There are five items that need Id's.

The first item is a large piece of brass sheeting that was crumpled almost beyond recognition. It sat in my garage for two years before I finally got around to examining it. The only reason I kept is was because I was able to discern what I thought was a "6" (which turned out to be a 9) and the words, "Rock Island Arsenal". I hammered in out on the ground and discovered that it was actually a cavalry insignia. Can anyone tell me what this might have been used for?

The second item is a pistol handle. I doubt we will be able to positively ID it until electrolysis is complete as I believe there are numbers hidden below the rust.

The third item is a piece of brass adorned with acorns and leaves similar to the designs I have seen on the dress helmets.

Item four is a small circular piece of brass that looks like a top or something but isn't.

Item five is also brass. It is in two pieces and has circular bevels on it.

Thanks for any help. HH

 

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[HomeGuardDan]

The top right seems to be the guard to a sword

The bottom right looks to be a stencil or polishing plate

The bottom left I believe is a vent to a M1872 or M1881 Helmet (went inside the top portion for ventilation

 

[nhbenz]

Good call Dan on the helmet vent. One is shown here: Pre-WW1 PAGE
I can read "Allien &Co" on that item, who did make plenty of stuff for the military. I believe they started in the late 1870'.

 

[DCMatt]

Good call Dan on the helmet vent. One is shown here: Pre-WW1 PAGE
I can read "Allien &Co" on that item, who did make plenty of stuff for the military. I believe they started in the late 1870'.

Henry V. Allien

 

[DCMatt]

The top right seems to be the guard to a sword

The bottom right looks to be a stencil or polishing plate

The bottom left I believe is a vent to a M1872 or M1881 Helmet (went inside the top portion for ventilation

Canteen stencil

 

[DCMatt]

The top right seems to be the guard to a sword

It looks too small to be a sword guard. I'm thinking it was a letter opener replica of an officer's sword - 1872 or 1902 pattern?

DCMatt

 

[HomeGuardDan]

It looks too small to be a sword guard. I'm thinking it was a letter opener replica of an officer's sword - 1872 or 1902 pattern?

DCMatt

Good call on the canteen stencil - I was trying to figure out what a stencil for those three would be used for (Company letter, number and crossed sabre)

I disagree with the replica of an officer's sword. Yes it is too small for the standard sabres we are use to seeing, but the size of the attachment is about right for those of late 1800's NCO/Musician/Fraternal swords. I do not know for certain what type of sword it went to, but I am willing to bet it is an actual sword guard to one of those (obviously not an official US military weapon). Could also be a child's sword - they did make them. I just think with the detail and construction style, it was made for more than opening letters. All the construction points are consistent with sword construction - if it were a replica letter opener it would be very well made.

 

[Carolina Tom]

I hear you DCMatt! Good job on the ID.

 

[duggap]

The big square item looks to be the base off a car jack?

 

[tennessee]

Great bunch of saves. Congratulations.

 

[alderan33]

Thanks for all the help. I really appreciate it.

 

[DCMatt]

Thanks for all the help. I really appreciate it.

Do you know anything about the 9th Cav? You have some real history there!

From Wikipedia:

From 1866 to the early 1890s, these regiments served at a variety of posts in the Southwestern United States and the Great Plains regions. They participated in most of the military campaigns in these areas and earned a distinguished record. Thirteen enlisted men and six officers from these four regiments earned the Medal of Honor during the Indian Wars. In addition to the military campaigns, the "Buffalo Soldiers" served a variety of roles along the frontier from building roads to escorting the U.S. mail. On April 17, 1875, regimental headquarters for the 9th and 10th Cavalries were transferred to Fort Concho, Texas. Companies actually arrived at Fort Concho in May 1873. At various times from 1873 through 1885, Fort Concho housed 9th Cavalry companies A–F, K, and M, 10th Cavalry companies A, D–G, I, L, and M, 24th Infantry companies D–G, and K, and 25th Infantry companies G and K.[SUP][9][/SUP]

Buffalo Soldier in the 9th Cavalry, 1890


A lesser known action was the 9th Cavalry's participation in the fabled Johnson County War, an 1892 land war in Johnson County, Wyoming between small farmers and large, wealthy ranchers. It culminated in a lengthy shootout between local farmers, a band of hired killers, and a sheriff's posse. The 6th Cavalry was ordered in by President Benjamin Harrison to quell the violence and capture the band of hired killers. Soon afterward, however, the 9th Cavalry was specifically called on to replace the 6th. The 6th Cavalry was swaying under the local political and social pressures and was unable to keep the peace in the tense environment.
The Buffalo Soldiers responded within about two weeks from Nebraska, and moved the men to the rail town of Suggs,Wyoming, creating "Camp Bettens" despite a racist and hostile local population. One soldier was killed and two wounded in gun battles with locals. Nevertheless, the 9th Cavalry remained in Wyoming for nearly a year to quell tensions in the area

Cool stuff!

DCMatt

 

[alderan33]

update, could this be a sword hilt?

The item I originally thought was a pistol handle may well be a sword handle. After electrolysis a pattern began to emerge with some very cool designs.
I think I can make out the letters S H O T as indicated by the orange arrow.
This is one half of the piece. The other is now in the electrolysis vat.
Any help on the ID would be most appreciated.