Civil War Gear

You don't have to be a war re-enactor to love collecting Civil War gear. Collectors can collect a variety of items from this time period from buttons to swords. Civil war memorabilia collectors include a wide variety of people, from every continent. What do you collect?

Contents 1 Finding Civil War Gear 1.1 Reenactor Gear 2 Steering Clear of Fakes 2.1 Online Guides 2.2 Collector's Guides 3 Conclusion

Finding Civil War Gear

While living near an old war field can be handy, the majority of items that are authentic collectible civil war items can be purchased in antique stores, on eBay and from fellow collectors. Serious collectors will rarely buy dug items though, since it is considered raiding someone's grave. Online auctions usually list items as either dug, or non-dug, so that collectors know where the items have come from. Most authentic items on the market that are in good condition usually come from families that have been collectors for generations or had a family member that served in the War Between the States.

Places to find authentic Civil War gear include the following:

• Civil War Preservations
• Heller's Civil War Antique Shop
• Georgetown Antique Mall
• Civil War Battleground Antiques, Inc.
• R. Howard Rare Coin Gallery

Reenactor Gear

Reenactors are probably the largest group of Civil War collectors in the United States. They enjoy collecting things that will help them create an air of authenticity when they are performing on battlefields or at their encampments. Depending on which side of the war they are fighting on, they will collect items that suit their particular military costumes.

Steering Clear of Fakes

Nothing can ruin a hobby faster than finding out you've collected an item that is a fake. There are two ways to try and avoid buying fakes: educating yourself about Civil War items and researching a buyer before you purchase items from them. The Internet is a great place to find information on Civil War collectibles, as well as feedback on unscrupulous antique dealers and auction sellers.

Online Guides

There are websites for Civil War collectors, which include information on how to identify fakes. Some of these sites include the following:

• Civil War Outpost Fakes-Bogus Relics
• Savage Station Spotting Fakes Guide
• Arms Collectors.com

Collector's Guides

A collector's guide is a great resource for collectors of Civil War memorabilia. They often use color photos or line drawings, which accurately depict information for antique collectors. Things that are important, especially if you are collecting authentic pieces, include maker's marks, patina and condition of the item you have collected. Even if you are collecting reproductions for reenacting, the more authentic looking the piece is, the better.

Books that are popular amongst Civil War collectors include the following titles:

• Civil War Collector's Price Guide by Nancy Rossbacher
• North South Trader's Civil War Collector's Price Guide 10th Edition by Publisher's Press
• The Collector's Guide to Civil War Period Bottles and Jars by Mike Russell
• Uniform's of the Civil War by Robin Smith
• Civil War Collector's Guide for Paper Memorabilia by Alan Charles Phillips

Conclusion

Collecting Civil War gear is a fun and educational hobby. If you love history, this is the perfect starter hobby for both the young and old. There are wonderful historical sites and museums to visit all over the United States. There are also many places near these historical sites that sell antiques, reproduction items and reenactor clothing.

Since this particular hobby attracts many individuals selling fake items, it is imperative that you research items to find out who the original manufacturers were before you consider buying anything. While it is convenient to purchase items online, buying expensive items without an appraisal from an authority on the subject can be a bad idea. For example, buying an antique Confederate Civil War belt buckle for less than $2,000 is highly questionable. Research the items you want to collect thoroughly before you buy to avoid disappointment in the future.