Extremely Rare Civil War Cavalry Feed Bag – Documented Example / ON-HOLD

Description

Extremely Rare Civil War Cavalry Feed Bag

1 of 3 Documented Examples 

 

Exceptional and extremely rare Civil War cavalry feed bag, representing one of the most elusive categories of surviving Federal mounted equipment. Constructed with a chestnut-colored leather bottom, expertly shaped and sewn to a heavy canvas body, this example reflects the robust yet utilitarian construction required for sustained cavalry operations in the field. 

 

The feed bag retains its original leather suspension and adjustment straps, including a leather adjustment strap fitted with an enameled roller buckle, a highly distinctive and seldom-encountered feature consistent with mid-19th-century military hardware. The enameled finish remains visible, underscoring the authenticity and exceptional preservation of this piece. 

 

Cavalry feed bags were essential items, issued in limited numbers and subjected to constant hard use, resulting in extreme attrition rates. As a result, original Civil War cavalry feed bags are virtually unknown today. This example is one of only three documented to exist, placing it among the rarest surviving pieces of mounted service equipment from the American Civil War. 

 

Provenance is outstanding. This feed bag originates from the renowned James Stametelos Collection and later the Jan Gordon Collection, both widely respected for their focus on originality, condition, and scholarly integrity. Jan Gordon acquired this example in the 1990s from The Horse Soldier in Gettysburg, paying $3,950, a significant sum at the time and a testament to the recognized rarity and importance of the piece even decades ago. 

 

An extraordinary survival, combining exceptional rarity, strong construction details, and impeccable provenance, this cavalry feed bag represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to acquire one of the most seldom-seen artifacts of Civil War mounted service. 

 

Inventory Number: CAV 123