Civil War star grip inlay

[Sim Carstairs]

I’ve been involved with black powder firearms for a very long time and there’s always a first!

During the Civil War, troops from Texas (and some from Mississippi) were frequently seen wearing a brass star pinned to their hats or clothing. Some stars were sewn on. The star was a big symbol with the Texas guys stemming from the Texas Revolution and Confederate soldiers would say “their star has fallen” in reference to their state’s star succeeding from the Union. Many Confederates viewed the star as a symbol of succession. They were sold to the troops by sutlers.View attachment 992808These guys are from Terry’s Texas Rangers and very representative of the star worn by these Confederate troops.

Well, after reviewing thousands and thousands of Civil War photographs, I found one where a grip on a wartime revolver had a star inlay. This is Andrew Flake, 12th Tennessee Infantry. Andrew was from Carroll County, Tennessee. Note the grip! I’ve never seen one before in a wartime photograph.View attachment 992809

Probably many of you are familiar with the famous Wyatt Earp revolver that was gifted to him and had a small presentation inlay on the grip, but the others are mostly Hollywood. The Flake revolver is certainly unique and I wonder where that revolver is now.

Thought some of you here would enjoy seeing this. I’ll be looking for upcoming threads where folks are adding a star inlay on their Pietta or Uberti revolvers.

 

[windini]

Love the History Lessons! And great pics, too. Thanks for the post.

 

[Ephraim Kibbey]

While those may actually be his own weapons, many CW photos were taken with ones supplied by the photography studio!

 

[Sim Carstairs]

While those may actually be his own weapons, many CW photos were taken with ones supplied by the photography studio!

I seriously doubt it. I’ve spent a good portion of my life examining these photos from various sources, and I have never seen a wartime revolver like that in a picture. Your right about studio props, but you see the same ones in photo after photo and you can’t miss them. This isn’t one of them....

 

[kBob]

Early on Florida troops wore a star and supposedly some were angry at being mistaken for Texans.

The Florida star was an elongated six pointed star with the top and bottom “rays” being larger and longer than the other four rather than all equal like the Star of David.

-kBob

 

[Sim Carstairs]

Early on Florida troops wore a star and supposedly some were angry at being mistaken for Texans.

The Florida star was an elongated six pointed star with the top and bottom “rays” being larger and longer than the other four rather than all equal like the Star of David.

-kBob

It is believed the Bonnie Blue with its star is based on a banner from the short lived Republic of West Florida. Confederate Floridians liked the star symbol as well.

 

[kBob]

First action against the federals was before secession with the late night seizure of the Arsenal at Chattahoochee followed next morning by the seizure of the navy yard in Pensacola. Basically the Florida legislature was faced with Two counties that had seized federal property and held federal troops at gunpoint. "May as well join in", they said.

Growing up in Gadsden county, I was hoping the local JROTC unit could get a Confederate Battle Streamer for the Arsenal Seizure. Florida state 26 mile away had a CSA Battle Streamer for Natural Bridge(Florida, St. Marks river), so it made as much sense the local Highschool in the county seat where the arsenal seizing guys came from should have a streamer.

I had to wait until my time at The Citadel to march behind a bundle of CSA Battle Streamers though and later behind the one at Florida State.

My understanding is that Florida State has removed theirs but I doubt Citadel and VMI have retired theirs.

There were numerous flags at Pensacola in the weeks after the Navy yard was taken. Militia units from Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama showed up to help before the CSA government was a thing. Many real Floridians feel ripped off over Ft. Sumpter and Charleston getting all the press with their later, and less important to the formation of the CSA, events. though the Cadets at The Cidadel did fire on Star of the West before "us", they waited a good bit to fire on the Fort!

The USMC does not talk about laying down arms in Pensacola or their first ACW KIA being from Friendly fire later in taking a ship (Guarded by one old man night watchman with a flintlock musket) in the harbor there.

-kBob

 

[arcticap]

This is an interesting article about the 1st Alabama Calvalry which fought for the Union.
Although unknown by most today, every state in the Confederacy had volunteers that fought for the Union.
The most famous was the 1st Alabama Cavalry which escorted and protected Gen. Sherman in his March to the Sea.
And they were also present when Confederate Gen. Johnston finally surrendered to Sherman. --->>> http://www.1stalabamacavalryusv.com/1sthistory.aspx

Some men ended up fighting for both sides.
There was a case in North Carolina of a man who was forced into Confederate service who didn't want to serve.
At his first opportunity he escaped and joined the Union Army.
Then after he was captured by the Confederates, he was hanged when it was learned that he was a deserter.

This is a list of civil war units by state including those from Confederate states that swore allegiance to the Union. --->>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_American_Civil_War_units_by_state

In 2016, a movie based on a true story was released named Free State of Jones.
Resident farmers along with runaway slaves and Confederate deserters claimed a part of Mississippi and revolted against the Confederacy.
They managed to hold out until the Confederacy was dissolved.--->>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_State_of_Jones_(film)

 

[JCooperfan1911]

The South will rise again!!!

 

[theotherwaldo]

It's not so much that the South is rising (although it is).
It's that the old North is sinking... .
-And the gun makers are headed South,