BLOCKADE RUNNER INC. is proud to offer our customers and friends an assortment of American Civil War and Pre-Civil War Relics, books, etc.
Some are from my collection, from time to time my interest change and I "sell off" one type of relic to buy another. Some of these are brought in by friends and customers. All of them are guaranteed original. They are listed here in no particular order. If the page becomes too large I will categorize them to make your viewing a little easier. Feel free to contact me should you need more info regarding any of the relics listed here.
As always, I'll consider any trade! Any and all relics have a 10 day inspection period and you can return them during that time only with no restocking fee. After the 10 day inspection period there will be a 15% restocking fee. There are no returns after 30 days of receipt.
Well this thing is getting a little too large for one page so I'm going to start categorizing it. Just click the link below to go to the topic you would like to see.
ARTILLERY
Projectiles, primers, frag.s, grape shot, etc.
BOOKS
Original books & newspapers along with a few reprints and reference books.
BOTTLES
Original bottles, jars and glassware.
BUTTONS
Original buttons both military and civilian.
EYEGLASSES
Original Eyeglasses of the Civil War Era.
HARDWARE
Original Hardware of all various discription.
IMAGES
Original CDV's, Dags, Ambro & Tintypes.
MONEY
Original Money, Paper & Coin from the Civil War Era.
SOLD
Photos of some of the more interesting items that we have sold lately.
NEW ITEMS LISTED BELOW
  
WOMEN OF THE SOUTH
I don't know how I was lucky enough to come into possession of two of these books but I did. I'm keeping the best one and I'm going to offer the other to you. Go to any of the rare book searches and see if you can find another. It took me 3 years to find my first copy. There were two printings of this book. One just before the war and one just after. This is the 1865 copy. There is no content difference between the two printings other than the date.
This book contains the works of 35 Southern poets with portraits of 7 of them. You see two of them here. The younger is Rosa Johnson of Natchez Miss., the elder is Octavia Walton LeVert of Mobile Ala. The portraits were taken from "recent" photographs so the fashion is current to the 1861. (go ahead, ask me how I know, I dare ya.) All of the work submitted is pre war. Each of our poets biography is included with a few pieces of their work.
Included here you will find the work of our favorite Tennessee Poetess, Virginia French along with Caroline Gilman, Emma Southworth, Caroline Hentz, Sally Ford, Susan Archer Talley, Augusta J. Evans, Jane Cross, Mary Shindler and many more.
The condition of the book is "GOOD", all the pages are tight, no tears to pages or binding. Covers are bumped but that's about it. 511 pages of rare insight into the pre-war Southern writers view of just about everything.
WOMEN OF THE SOUTH $169.95 BUY NOW!
BLANKET STRAP BUCKLES
Here's a pair of what are often referred to as, "CS Blanket Strap Buckles". You may remember seeing a photo of a pair with a heart shaped design on them. That photo has been used 1000 times by different publishers. They may have been used by a guy for blanket straps but their original use was for horse harnesses. What we have here is a good period set of buckles with the bull's eye pattern. They still have a little of the silver wash on them. They are sturdy enough to use with no worry of breaking them. You can use them on your blanket roll if you like or any where you need a set of harness buckles. The loops are about 5/8 of an inch wide.
CS BLANKET STRAP BUCKLES $29.95 SOLD
BONE BUTTONS
We have a new cache of bone buttons just in. Both two hole and four. 3/8 and 5/8 inch. Just let us know which you want and how many. How can you go wrong at only $0.50 each?!
ORIGINAL BONE BUTTONS $0.50 BUY NOW!
CAMP RELICS
OK, this is a recent find and the digger is not giving me any info as of yet. He does tell me that it's local and that everything he's digging is CS. So that said, here's what your getting. Three round balls that are "camp cast", one of them has been cut in half by the soldier. That's a .36 cal. round ball sitting in the brass cup from a balance scale. A very heavy saber belt button, a common brass buckle that could be from a spur/blanket strap and a sewing thimble that is in good enough condition to use. That's a lot of relics for only $19.95
CS CAMP RELICS $19.95 BUY NOW!
 
OHIO EDUCATIONAL MONTHLY MAGAZINE 1862-63
Here we have a December of 1862 and a January of 1863 Ohio Educational Monthly Magazine. A journal of School and Home Education. I found these magazines very interesting and I can only assume that anyone involved in education would find them even more so.
Subjects covered are Penmanship with examples, Grammar, Natural History, Teaching Reading using the Phonics method, (a few years ago they wanted you to think that something new)
Literature, etc. etc. There are of course advertisements for printers and those who offer school supplies, desk, ink, books and such. An editorial page as well as a question and answer page, write in with your question and the state board would answer it in writing. I'll bet a few of our educators would like to see that policy re-instituted!
All the pages are present and intact. The cover of the Dec. issue is a little dark but both copies are supple, you can easily read them without worry of breaking brittle pages. As these magazines are for use by public school as well as for home school, they may not be legal in California.
1862 OHIO EDUCATIONAL MONTHLY MAGAZINE $19.95 BUY NOW!
1863 OHIO EDUCATIONAL MONTHLY MAGAZINE $19.95 BUY NOW!
PETERSON'S LADIES MAGAZINE APRIL 1862
This original copy of an April, 1860 Peterson's Ladies Magazine. This one is in good condition but there are a few thins missing. The colored fashion plate along with the cover are no more. There are 16 other steel engravings though. Many of them are fashion as can be seen in the photo above. This book contains the normal fare you would expect to find, news of fashion, recipes, serial stories, lots of poems, so forth and so on. This copy also includes a pattern for a lovely ladies coat.
1862 PETERSON'S MAGAZINE $19.95 BUY NOW!
 
HARPER'S NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE NOV. 1860
This original copy of an November, 1860 Harper's New Monthly Magazine. This one is actually in very good condition. Nothing is missing and the cover is excellent. Harper's is one of the more literate magazines of it's day, (my opinion) but of course they do include fashion content as well. There is always lots of travel news in every Harper's and they have the most and best cartoons. They never miss a chance to joke about hoop skirts. Only the English magazine "Punch" has more fun out of hoops than Harper's Magazine. There is American and Foreign history, contemporary stories and more steel engravings than any other magazine of the day. But of course the reason the Harper Bros. started this magazine was to promote the books which their company printed so all the latest releases can be found on the back pages. They never expected the magazine to become so popular. Oh well, I'm sure they didn't mind, sell a book, sell a mag.
1860 HAPER'S MAGAZINE $29.95 BUY NOW!
CONFEDERATE GARDNER MINNIE BALLS
Nothing is as Confederate as Gardner minnies. It's like saying "Leech & Rigdon", it's just southern! Gardner's were a great idea, the bottom skirt of the bullet crimped onto the paper which held the black powder, eliminating one of the "hand ties", but often the machinery was just not up to par and they would look poorly made. These are an exception to that rule. They are very well made and in great condition too. All of them have nice a even patina. The 2, .58 cals. are on the far right and both are bulb nose style. The 3, .54 cals. are on the left. Choose which you prefer below.
.54 CAL. CONFEDERATE GARDNER MINNIES $8.95 SOLD
.58 CAL. CONFEDERATE GARDNER MINNIES $8.95 SOLD
 
CAP POUCH
I think this is my favorite style of cap pouch, the one piece front. It's just a little smaller than those mid to late war cap pouches and the finial is just a little more rounded. It's in very good condition as you can see in the photos, the leather is soft and pliable. You can handle this one without fear of leather flakes coming off in your hand. There is just a little of the lamb's wool left. The nipple pick loop is solid and the original nipple pick is included. If your buying this one to display you won't to worry about "trading up", you'll have a great one right from the start.
CAP POUCH $195.95 BUY NOW!
 
COTTON CARDS
Here's a very good set of cotton cards, very strong and usable with excellent "teeth". Now I don't think these are all that old but if you need a set to really use these are great. If you are a spinner / weaver these along with a basket of cotton bolls will look great setting next to your spinning wheel even if you never card a single spool. This is a set of number 10s. Made by Howard Bro.s in Worcester Mass.
COTTON CARDS SOLD!
 
CS FRAME BUCKLE
Standard CS Frame Buckle. This buckle looks a lot better in person than it does in the photo, I think I "over lit" it. This one has been out of the ground for several years now. It came from General Bates position at the June 1863, Battle of Hoover's Gap Tn. A local Tennessee boy lost this one! It has a crack, just a crack, nothing missing, that has been professionally repaired by Robert McDaniel. You will not be able to find the repair without a magnifying glass. Most folks will tell you he is the top man in the country for repairs, not the state, the country. I hate to give this one up but I've got another I want to buy.
STANDARD CS FRAME BUCKLE $795.95 BUY NOW!
ENFIELD TOMPION
Original Enfield Tompion. Someone fell into a cache of these lately and I was lucky to get a couple of them at an affordable price. This is one of the Enfield accessories that you don't find at every show. A very nice addition to your Enfield Rifled Musket.
ENFIELD TOMPION $65.95 BUY NOW!
CONFEDERATE BATTLE SHIRT AMBRO.
I think this is the only one of these I've ever owned. A quarter plate ambrotype of a Confederate Soldier wearing a battle shirt. It must have been cool that day as he still has his overcoat on. Too bad for us but you can still see a large part of the shirt. I think this one will clean up nicely.
CONFEDERATE BATTLE SHIRT PHOTO $1250.00 BUY NOW!
3 TINE FORK WITH PEWTER
CLOVER BOLSTER
I don't see this too often but every now and again I find a few forks or knives with a neat design inlaid into the handle. These two forks have 3 leaf clovers. They are both in very good condition. No reason at all not to use them. A unique addition to your mess kit. Buy one or both. They are $19.95 each or I'll give you a deal if you buy them both, only $34.95.
ONE FORK W 3 LEAF CLOVER $14.95 BUY NOW!
BOTH FORKS W 3 LEAF CLOVER $24.95 BUY NOW!
 
PISTOL CARTRIDGE BOX
This Pistol Cartridge Box is in fair condition. Some aligator-ing as seen in the photos above. This is an early war model as evident by the round finial. The closer strap is soft, no tears or repairs. I could make this box look much better with a few applications of Pecards Leather dressing. It will make a nice addition to any cavalry or pistol collection.
PISTOL CARTRIDGE BOX $189.95 BUY NOW!
KNIFE FORK SET
Here's a very nice knife fork set. The fork is 3 tine with a dark wooden handle and pewter bolsters. Very clean, no reason at all not to use these. The knife also has a dark wooden handle with pewter bolsters. The blade is very clean and has a strong New York makers mark. The handles of both are still in excellent condition, both are firmly attached to the metal. A very good addition to your mess kit.
KNIFE FORK SET $19.95 SOLD
NORTH CAROLINA $3. 1863
A North Carolina Three Dollar bill, I'm not even going to make a joke about that one. You can see from the photo this one has a few bites missing and a small stain top left but it still displays well. The note itself is pliable, not brittle. It's a Jan. 1, 1863 issue that matures in 1866. Looks like the original owner may have had a little trouble cashing it in but it will still look great in your collection.
NORTH CAROLINA $3. BILL $24.95 SOLD
 
GUTTER BACK FRAME
POLK'S SHELBYVILLE TN. CAMP
A very Nice C. S. "Gutter-Back" style Frame Buckle. This is the the second most common style after the "standard" frame buckles. These were used in both theaters by the Army of Tennessee and the Army of Virginia. This one was excavated in Bedford County, Shelbyville Tn., near the Confederate earth works along the Duck River. Nice chocolate patina with no repairs what so ever. There is one small skid mark from the diggers shovel but it is very light as you can see from the photo. Photos show the buckle very close to actual size. I can't think about Polk's Camp without thinking of Sam Watkins and wondering if he knew the guy who lost this. We'll never know but it's fun to think about.
GUTTER BACK FRAME $695.95 BUY NOW!
1858 SMOOTHSIDE CANTEEN
I've got a great deal for you here. An 1858 smoothside, all the straps loops are in place and tight, no leaks and only minor denting. The corks a repop so throw it away if you don't want it. The side your veiwing in the photo above is the "worst side", The other side has no dents at all. The pewter spout looks great, it is in excellent shape. (So often they are dented or mis-shapen.) It has some surface rusting but it's surface rust only. The strap loops may have been re-soldered at some point in history, maybe not, it's hard to tell. Maybe the original workman just used a little too much solder. Either way it's going to be hard to beat at this price.
1858 SMOOTHSIDE CANTEEN $149.95 BUY NOW!
BRASS SPIGOT
This brass spigot is post war, any date that I could give you would be just a guess. It is designed for a wooden barrel. That's evident from the style. It is not that dis-similar to the Civil War era type that are typically dug in camps both North and South. If you use a large water barrel in camp you are probably using one of those cheap wooden cork lined jobs that cost $10. or more and has to be replaced every year. That's about all that's available. If you replace it with this brass spigot you will never have to buy another. It will bring what I'm asking for it from an antique dealer but I would rather see it put to use. It was found in Lynchburg Tn. so it could very well have a Jack Daniel connection.
BRASS SPIGOT $39.95 SOLD
1840's CAST IRON POT
Believe it or not but this is not the first time I've been accused of selling pot, vicious rumors started by my enemies I assure you.
Bare with me this is a long story. Although seldom scene today this was a very typical and popular style during the 1840s, 50s and 60s. Take a look at any newspaper or magazine ad from the era which is selling stoves, cast iron etc. This is always the style shown. Also check the cook books from the same era, again, this is the only style they show. People in the know about these things tell me that they were typically sold in sets, 3 different sizes of pots as shown above and a large oval style with lid for the oven. But wait there's more, this was the first commercially available cookware made in the US using enamel. The inside of these pots were enameled. I've seen instructions in the period cook books telling the reader to use an enameled pot but it really did not dawn upon me until I bought this one. There's not much of the enamel left in this one. In fact if you intend on using it I would suggest sand blasting the inside of it first to remove all remnants of the enamel and rust. This is the largest size of the set. It's at least a 6 quart pot. One very unique aspect of the design is the handle is hollow iron that has been riveted to the cast iron pot. You will never see anything like that today. Now I am relying on some info from other folks on this one so if you have a period source that contradicts anything I've stated please let me know. I'd love to see it but I think I'm pretty close on everything I've stateed above. One thing you can count on, you will be the only person on your block with one.
1840 CAST IRON POT 69.95 BUY NOW!
HAIR WATCH CHAIN
This may be the best example of HAIR JEWELRY that I have ever owned. I don't use the term, "Museum Quality" often but it really applies here. Not a hair out of place (Corny jokes provided at no extra charge.) Two different styles of braiding technique were used in the making of this excellent piece, a standard braid and then a spiral braid, very elegant. Now I do not know if the T bar and Lobster claw clip are gold or gold plated but they are a very deep gold color, no flaking, 18k is what it looks like. The center piece is very ornate and a charm or key for your key wind is easily added. The hair measures 12 inches long, overall is 12.5 inches.
Godey's ladies book, 1859 advertises hair jewelry in all 12 issues. Hair jewelry was very popular. It's a shame more of it was not stored properly over the years, we would have a lot more great examples.
HAIR WATCH CHAIN $129.95 BUY NOW!
UNUSED PATRIOTIC ENVELOPE
This is an unused patriotic gummed letter cover with a "Columbia" theme. Ready for battle with flag and shield in hand. The face is perfect. If you have ever wanted to make your own covers this would be a great one to copy. There are no stains or browning from age. The back of the cover has a few small spots. It measures 2 3/4 inches by 5 inches.
PATRIOTIC ENVELOPE COLUMBIA $16.95 BUY NOW!
UNUSED PATRIOTIC ENVELOPE
This is an unused patriotic gummed letter cover with a "Flag" theme. Crossed flags of the Union flying in the breeze with tassels. The face is perfect. If you have ever wanted to make your own covers this would be a great one to copy. It is a light blue in color. There are no stains or browning from age. The back of the cover has a few small spots. It measures 2 3/4 inches by 5 inches.
PATRIOTIC ENVELOPE FLAGS $16.95 BUY NOW!
SPORTSMANS BUCKLE W MILL'S STYLE FASTNER
This buckle could have been made by Mills for Winchester Arms. Winchester had a 5 year contract with Mills which allowed them to sell his 1881 patented buckle through Winchester dealers, catalogs and the like. The overall style of this buckle is different from the 1881 as it does not have the classic "H" shape. It may be a later date or even a knock off. These buckles were very popular. This is a complete sportsman's buckle. All you need is the canvas webbing and it's ready to wear. These buckles are from the Indian war period so they are perfect for SASS, Cowboy mounted shooters etc. I don't see too many of these around anymore and the prices have been jumping. A great addition to any western or turn of the century sporting goods collection.
SPORTSMANS BUCKLE $69.95 BUY NOW!
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