Full Answer
Is there such thing as a generic Civil War fife?
These fifes are as close to a "generic" Civil War instrument as there is. None bear a maker's mark, yet they often have some military designation and they abound in collections throughout the country.
Is my civil war rifle/pistol worth anything?
The other items aren’t worth much, it’s all about the buckle. I have a rifle and pistol from the Civil War, both are from the north and are in close to perfect shape. The rifle was made at the beginning of the war, and is perfect, no cracks or breaks, looks like it was not fired, as is the pistol. I would like to know the value of such a rarity.
Are Confederate weapons worth more than Union?
Confederate pieces will always seek higher value then Union pieces unless the Union piece has provenance or was carried by someone of historical significance. Many newbie Civil War collectors want to buy a long rifle, carbine or maybe a sword to start their collection.
How much does a Civil War butcher knife cost?
Butcher Knife & Saw - Civil War Period butcher knife, also called a medical saw & listed in Lord's Encyclopedia, page 122 volume 4, used in camps to cut up meats, bread, etc. The size is 17 1/2" long overall with a 11 1/2" blade, wood handle good, shows honest age & use. - Price is $ 75.00 plus shipping and insurance. Item - M-25-825
How much is a fife worth?
The Ferrary reproduction fife is priced at $125. Fifes are very durable but require care like any other musical instrument—they need to be cleaned and oiled regularly and stored in appropriate conditions.
What is a civil war fife?
During the Civil War, there were any number of fife makers who produced instruments that all looked pretty much the same and were seldom marked with the maker's name, if anything at all. They were all cylindrical bore instruments with ferrules that were short; some had long ferrules.
How old is the fife?
Antedating the orchestral transverse flute, the fife is first attested in Europe during the 12th century. From the time of the Crusades it has been played with cylindrical side drums as an infantry instrument, notably in Switzerland and Germany.
What's the difference between a fife and a flute?
The fife, most accurately described, is any cylindrically bored transverse flute, usually in one piece (but sometimes two), usually somewhat longer than the piccolo and having only six fingerholes with no keys.
What does a fife look like?
A fife is a musical instrument that looks like a very small flute. Fifes are usually made of wood, rather than metal, and are common in military marching bands. A fife is much more high-pitched than a flute—it's also louder and more shrill sounding.
What does the name fife mean?
place nameThe name Fife is both a boy's name and a girl's name of Scottish origin meaning "place name". Musical choice that might work great in the middle.
Who is king of fife?
Donnchadh IV, Earl of Fife [Duncan IV] (1289–1353) was sometime Guardian of Scotland, and ruled Fife until his death.
What does fife mean in Scotland?
fifenoun. A small shrill pipe, resembling the piccolo flute, used chiefly to accompany the drum in military music. Fifenoun. A traditional county of Scotland now a Unitary Authority, situated between the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth, with landward boundaries to Perth and Kinross and Clackmannanshire.
What wood is used for fife?
The color of a fife is usually determined by the type of wood used. Grenadilla, also known as African Blackwood (black) and Maple & Rosewood (brown) are common woods. It doesn’t really matter what color you get. Most fifes are black, but black and brown fifes look alike from a distance.
How much are persimmon fifes?
For the budget minded, there are “Student” level persimmon fifes available from Cooperman for around $50. Some people find these difficult to play, and some vendors counsel that you should avoid wood fifes that sell for under $100. On the other hand, some people have no problem with them and some schools and corps use them for their fife and drum programs—it’s a matter of personal experience. If you can afford it, however, it’s best to go straight to a professional level fife, since they aren’t that much more expensive.
Why do some players prefer fifes?
Some players prefer 10-hole fifes because they offer the ability to play more sharps and flats, but they are harder to learn and even some experienced fifers find them difficult to play. Interestingly, the US Army’s Old Guard F&D, a professional level corps, uses 10-hole Bb Healy fifes.
What fife do you play with a 6 hole?
The vast majority of fifers today play a one piece, 6-hole Bb fife, and that is what most vendors sell—the “C” fife and two piece “concert” fifes that allow you to play more notes are specialty items. If you get a “C” fife, it’s best if everyone else in your group has one too.
Who owned the shotgun in the Iowa 1st Infantry?
Here's a interesting shotgun owned by Capt . Horace Poole with the Iowa 1st Infantry- enlisted in 1861 as a Pvt . Came out in 1864 as a Capt . In 1870 he opened his own company buying and selling hi e ...Click for more info
When was the Civil War percussion musket made?
Original US Civil War Percussion Musket made in 1864. Rare manufacturer Parkers Snow & Co of Meriden Conn, not the common Springfield or Savage. Original finish, not import marked, no rust or pi ...Click for more info
Who delivered the 58 caliber muskets?
" Samuel Norris and William T. Clement of Springfield, MA, delivered 11,000 Model 1861 58 caliber percussion rifle muskets on contract to the State of Massachusetts in 1863 and 1864. The 40 ...Click for more info
What caliber was the Burnside?
"The Burnside was one of the most widely used Union carbines of the Civil war. This 54 caliber, percussion breech-loading carbine fired a unique cone shaped cartridge. The 4th model was made in 1 ...Click for more info
What is William Callender's fife?
Below are two William Callender fifes, one of boxwood and one of black ebony. The ebony Callender fife above is marked "62 Middle Street, Boston," which was where his shop was located from 1803 to 1818. It has seamed ferrules and uses the simple fingering system. Here is a Cahusac fife from around 1780:
When did Graves fife go out of business?
In 1850, a fire destroyed the plant and the Graves family moved the firm to Boston, where they focused on brass instruments until the firm went out of business in 1878. Below is a Graves fife, courtesy of Jack Doyle.
What are the characteristics of a Cloos fife?
A significant characteristic of the Cloos fifes is that the design on the ferrules is knurled rather than scored. Instead of a line pattern cut on a lathe, the design is machined in such a way that the metal is compressed and molded by a machine tool.
What is Graves fife made of?
Made of boxwood and made sometime in the1830s, the Graves fife has two unusual chracteristics: It is in the key of B natural and the scribing pattern on both ferrules is 4 + 0 + 4. Between 1819 and 1880, Klemm & Brothers made fifes in both Philadelphia and in Germany and was a major supplier during the Civil War.
What is unique about Crosby fifes?
One unique characteristic of at least the early Crosby fifes is in the way the bore was cut. Apparently, the tooling available was of insufficient length to cut the bore in one pass. It would be cut from one end, the fife would be reversed on the lathe, and it would be cut again in the opposite direction.
Who made fifes?
Although it was before his time, it is conceivable that they were made by William Callender, who would have been age 24 at the time. Callender, born in 1756, made woodwinds, including fifes, between 1796 and 1825. Some European fife makers of the period were W. Camp, Cahusac, Button & Purday, Astor and others.
Where was the Oppenheim fife made?
Here is a Cahusac fife from around 1780: Here is an Oppenheim fife made in London around 1790. Made of Boxwood, the ferrules were attached by punching on the inside score lines. At the end of the War of Independence, soldiers were permitted to take their muskets home with them.
