Historical and cultural relics and artifacts bring about our appreciation for the past. Some of the collectibles in which people pride themselves on are those relating to the American Civil War. It can be fun – but it can be costly.
You need to be more than financially stable as you need to have a sense of assurance that you can fulfill the act of collecting Civil War artifacts as a hobby. If, however, you plan on merely nurturing this fascination of yours and that you would be contented with visiting museums, then it is highly advisable that you check out Gettysburg Museums.
Some of the museums in Gettysburg showcase about 4,000 relics from the American Civil War. Furthermore, it also features items from World War I and II, presidential and political documents from the time of JFK and other presidents, Marilyn Monroe, and so much more.
When it comes to the Gettysburg museums, any Civil War collector-slash-hobbyist would need to be informed of some fundamentals required in ensuring that you will have the best relic hunting experience.
Knowing the Best Metal Detector
If you love collecting old things from decades ago, then you need to brush up on your history. There are about three million soldiers that took part in almost 10,000 battles. The discovered relics in the museums are just a small percentage of what has been left behind. Thus, a suitable metal detector is a significant investment not only for metal detecting hobbyist but also for Civil War enthusiasts.
Knowing Where to Find Civil War Relics
While it may be overwhelming as to how much information there are online, there are a few things that you should keep in mind when collecting Civil War relics. To make your search becomes easier and bearable, it is crucial to always go back to what you have learned in history class. The valuable antiques during the time of the American Civil War would include a wide selection of things – buttons from uniform jackets, knapsack hooks, buckles, bayonets, canteens, pistol bullets, and belt buckles!
When it comes to belt buckles, do not forget that a “CS” stands for Confederate Service and a “US” for Union Service. If you look at the historical map, it was once divided into the North and the South. You get to see how the troops were split up and put under categories.
Remember, most battles took place in the four Border States. Furthermore, you can use this to narrow down where to start with your metal hunting.
Some of the most avid collectors and Civil War enthusiasts would already know a thing or two about these pieces of military memorabilia they are dealing with. However, for a beginner, it would be best to be familiar with the description of each item. Furthermore, it would help if you can take pictures of each relic and provide listings so that others can be able to see the item from multiple angles and be able to examine them properly.
When it comes to collecting Civil War relics or anything involving history, it is essential to be aware of what had happened at the time when the object was used. Keep in mind that military memorabilia is not only restricted to items used in wars. Keep an open eye out for military personnel objects used after the war. Nonetheless, it would be beneficial to know the difference between an authentic one and those that are replicas and knockoffs.
If you love anything Civil War, then make sure to visit the Gettysburg Museum. We have one of the most extensive collections of Civil War and World War artifacts.