Star Cape Pin / Watch Fob Charm and Chain
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Item: Star Cape Pin / Watch Fob Charm and Chain
Construction: Cast brass.
Approximate size: 11-1/2 inches in overall length, star measures approximately 1 inch in diameter.
Condition: Very good, excavated. Very pleasing dusty green-brown patina. Shank on star has a slight bend. Star has no cracks, breaks, repairs or other bends.
Recovered: Unknown
Reference: Similar excavated stars and chains can be found in the following Civil War relic reference books:
- "Civil War Artifacts" by Howard Crouch on page 173, items 6 & 7
- "Excavated Artifacts from Battlefields and Campsites of The Civil War" by Stanley S. Phillips on page 120, item 8 and page 121, item 4.
See scans of the above pages in the additional images.
Comments: For years these devices have been referred to as "cape pins" as it was believed that their use was to connect an officer's cape. More recently it has been suggested that they could have also been used as watch fobs. In 2012, in the Publisher's forum "Learning the Lingo" found in Vol. 36 No. 2 of the "North South Trader's Civil War" by publisher Steve Sylvia, the publisher writes: (the use of)""Cape pin" is still in vogue, although I am convinced they were used as watch fobs. Maybe a few officers wore capes, but enlistedmen sure didn't. There are far too many excavated examples to attribute them to officer use only.”
Cape pins or watch fobs, they are very interesting personal relics and a great item to collect. This excavated example with chain will be an excellent addition to any excavated Civil War uniform, campsite, battlefield, or general relic collection.
- Product Code:
- PC589
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