Trunk and Civil War Items Identified to Captain John W. Trafton, Company E, 27th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry

Description:

Trunk and Civil War Items Identified to Captain John W. Trafton, Company E, 27th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, c. 1861-65, a leather-covered wooden trunk with iron fittings, an officer's kepi with gold braid, an embroidered infantry bugle with "27" in the center, eagle "I" buttons, and a silk liner, a pair of saddle holsters (flaps replaced),a pair of spurs, an officer's belt and pistol cartridge box, an officer's sash, an 1850 foot officer's sword made by Ames with a steel scabbard with brass fittings, a leather card case with two handwritten cards, two pocket diaries from 1862 and 1865, an officer's embroidered eagle hat insignia, a 1st Lieutenant's staff shoulder strap, a set of extra rich 1st Lieutenant's shoulder straps, a set of Major's shoulder straps, a set of Smith's Patent false embroidered captain's shoulder straps, a pocket watch face with Trafton's name on it, an ink wash image of Trafton in uniform wearing the kepi, a round tin container holding two buttons, a wedding book from 1867, two letters and two documents related to Company E, and a New Bern, North Carolina, newspaper dated 1862, and a folder with his service records and information on the group.

Provenance: Purchased from The Horse Soldier in June of 1988; the collection of Ron Tunison.

Note: Trafton enlisted at Springfield, Massachusetts, on September 20, 1861, as a 1st Lieutenant, he was promoted to captain on July 22, 1862, and was mustered out of service at New Bern, North Carolina, on June 26, 1865.
Estimate $4,000-6,000

Kepi has wear from use as does the sword belt and trunk. The foot officers sword is in very good condition with no blade or hilt damage, and the officers shoulder straps have some moth damage.


Items may have wear and tear, imperfections, or the effects of aging. Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.

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