The Civil War and Civil War Collectibles

The Civil War still has a fascination for a large numbercountries. Those who are involved in these replays of
of Americans, largely due to the conflict not onlymost of the great battles also have a demand for
being the largest to take place on American soil, butCivil War collectibles and replicas of all kinds.
also the only one that pitched cousin against cousin,One of the reasons for the relatively large loss of life
and in some cases brother against brother.over a fairly short period time is the disparity
The popularity of Civil War collectibles is just onebetween improvements in weaponry and the old
indication of this fascination for a very unique andfashioned battle tactics used. During this period, and
significant part of American history. This one conflictjust prior to it, weapons improved immensely in
caused more deaths per head of population than anyeffectiveness. Rifling was applied to canons and small
country suffered during World War I, although thearms, improving distance and accuracy. The rifled
vast majority of deaths, estimated at more than onemusket was common, but the breach loading rifle and
third, were due to disease.carbine also came onto the scene, speeding up the
Disease was not yet understood at that point itfrequency with which the weapons could be reloaded
history, and little knowledge was available on whatand fired.
caused it or how to prevent or control it. The mostThe first real repeating guns became freely available,
common diseases were typhoid, pneumonia,and the so called 'machine guns, or rapid fire guns
dysentery and tuberculosis, though other highlywere first used in battle. They were not used as
infectious diseases were also rampant. This was duemuch as they might have been, however, since the
to people, especially young men who had beenUnion was reluctant to employ these new weapons
isolated from large communities, coming into contactfor some reason. In spite of the new weaponry, the
with so many others. Diseases such as measles,tactics were still those of the Napoleonic era and
mumps and chickenpox were common, and thesebefore. Masses of troops on either side faced and
were not so much the direct cause of fatalities, butcharged each other, and were easy targets for the
weakened those who contracted them and reducedaccurate weapons being used.
their ability to fight.It is these new weapons that are the target for the
The aftermath of the Civil War was significant, notcollectors. Sabers, hand guns, muskets rifles and
only with respect to freedom from slavery, but alsocarbines are all in demand, and when that demand is
in its economic significance to the Southern states.unable to be met by the dwindling number of items
Destruction was widespread, and the loss of sothat are not in museums, it is fulfilled by replicas that
much of the youth of a relatively small area hadare indistinguishable from the originals.
profound effects on its ability to recover. The socialPersonal items such as belts, buckles, watches and
consequences of the freedom of slaves were alsothe like, are also popular, though it is the weapons
significant, and it is little wonder that this relativelythat most collectors look for. Those involved in
modern period in American history fascinates soreenactments have different priorities to collectors,
many.since their first objective is to be as authentic as
The fact is, that America does not have a longpossible with respect to all aspects of uniform and
history, and an event of the importance of the Civilaccessories. Union and Confederate uniforms are
war is bound to be considered of consequence tomuch sought after and the accoutrements such as
many people. This is exemplified in the reenactmenteating utensils, flasks and canteens, and hats, caps
of the battles of the war, not only in the USA andand badges are popular, especially with the enactors.
Canada, but also in Britain and other European