These are not questions we get very often. But we were thrilled when Silver Spring, Maryland resident Eric Ballard asked them. His queries led him to Orion’s Attic. Ballard was the latest steward of a Civil War accoutrements used and worn by Union Army soldier Nelson B. Case, a private in the Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry — Company C. family had passed down the collection through multiple generations. (Check out our video interview we conducted with Ballard about his Civil War relics. Read the emotional story of the collection, too.) The relics and memorabilia included everything from Case’s musket to his Bible.
Our passion for American history and historical objects played a role in launching our business. We’re better versed relics and rare books from the American Revolution than we are the Civil War. It made more sense for us hand off the evaluation and purchase of the collection to our friend and colleague Tim at Mid-Atlantic Military Antiques.
How to place a numeric value on an authentic Civil War musket
The first compass point any antiques dealer uses to start the process is to remind sellers that sentimental value doesn’t equal financial value. We have to look at all objects from an objective standpoint of what a willing buyer would pay a willing seller on a given day. Not to mention how much work we have to put into selling them.
Ballard’s priority was making sure his family’s collection stayed in tact with a new collector who would cherish it the way they did. Sentiment came second. Tim purchased the whole collection and will eventually put it on the market for re-sale.
Case’s gun is an authentic piece of American history but it has a lot of blemishes that detract from its potential value. Tim’s take:
The musket is by E. Robinson New York, not one of the big-demand manufacturers like Springfield Armory or Colt. Auction estimates for Colt rifles in pristine condition can reach $4,500.
“Investment-grade Civil War muskets by the big manufacturers still and people are sometimes willing to pay big money for them,” Tim says. “But this E. Robinson model isn’t one of them.”
Tim points to other factors that limit the guy’s value. There are big rust spots on the barrel, minor damage to the stock, and an overall loss of finish. “The rust and loss of finish are really what hurts the value,” Tim says.
E. Robinson Civil War rifles in perfect condition often top out at a retail value of $2,000 to $2,200. Case’s gun would likely sell for perhaps half of that. It’s not a guaranteed seller, either. E. Robinson rifles have repeatedly not met low reserves at various auction houses.
What’s the rest of the Civil War accoutrements and memorabilia worth?
The rest of Ballard’s collection included a Civil War bayonet, bayonet belt, artillery bag, field Bible, Psalm book, and Army of the Potomac medal. While they are all great pieces of history that the next collector will love, they’re affected by the same condition issues.
Put all those factors together and the rest of the collection might fetch anywhere from $200 to $400. Tim says that the same items in high-grade, top-shelf collector condition could see a retail value of $1,000 to $1,500.
Got some great stuff including historical artifacts that you would like to sell?
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