Many items that are offered up as original, authentic, genuine artifacts of the American Civil War are not. Test your ability to judge the true Civil War items from those that date from a later era. Below are images of various items. To the best of my knowledge all are original and none reproduction or fake. Those who have a reference library might take the quiz both closed book and then open book. For those who lack experience collecting Civil War artifacts the quiz illustrates the problem of knowing is it Civil War?

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PART ONE Items 1-10

ITEM ONE

The back is lead filled and had four thick attachment wires. Three are broken off.

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Chose one of the below:

1. Civil War
2. Post-Civil War

ITEM TWO

This is a stamped brass horn with wire attachments in the back. The size is two and one-eighth by one and one-eighth.

Chose one of the below:

1. Civil War
2. Post-Civil War

ITEM THREE

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This is a yellow wool cavalry chevron that was said to have been found "in a government warehouse."

Chose one of the below:

1. Civil War
2. Post-Civil War

ITEM FOUR

This wooden object was sitting on a gun dealer's table at a gun show.

Chose one of the below:

1. Civil War
2. Post-Civil War

ITEM FIVE

This is a stamped brass insignia with wire loops in back.
Chose one of the below:

1. Civil War
2. Post-Civil War

ITEM SIX

This is a breech loading carbine marked:
SPENCER REPEATING
RIFLE CO. BOSTON MASS
PAT'D MARCH ------(worn)
Near the trigger is a small switch which turns as shown.
Chose one of the below:

1. Civil War
2. Post-Civil War

ITEM SEVEN

This is a navy shoulder strap marked as shown.
Chose one of the below:

1. Civil War
2. Post-Civil War

ITEM EIGHT

This button has an eagle that has a raised shield on its chest. The back is marked: "Horstmann*Phila*".
Chose one of the below:

1. Civil War
2. Post-Civil War

ITEM NINE

This is a Georgia state button whose back reads Mintzer Phil 1861.
Chose one of the below:

1. Civil War
2. Post-Civil War

ITEM TEN

This is a wool forage cap marked on the inside crown Bent and Bush Boston.
Chose one of the below:

1. Civil War
2. Post-Civil War

Disclaimer

Score: For the Collector or Would be Collector