Confederate Cavalry Bugle / SOLD

Confederate Cavalry Bugle - Inventory Number: CON 359 / SOLD

During the Civil War the bugle became the predominant signal instrument in the Army surpassing the fife and drum. Most all bugles were made of copper, brass or German silver. There are instances of presentation bugles made of silver. A few instances of references to bugles made of tin. These are said to have been used by the Confederate Army.    

The first written record of this was in January 1, 1866 in the Adjutant Generals Report. “A tin trumpet, taken from a Chief Bugler of a Virginia Cavalry unit by the 16th Illinois Cavalry in or around Jonesville, VA on November 29, 1863. According to the report the rebels lost 21 officers and men killed, 21 prisoners taken along with 85 stands of arms and 15 horses.”

This tin bugle measures 23” inches in height 6 inches across, with a bell diameter of 5 ½ inches.  Constructed of five skillfully contoured sections of tin with exposed lead solder and a fitted pewter mouthpiece.   This cavalry bugle originated in Staunton, Virginia and bears a collection inventory code in black ink on the bell solder joint.    The body has a wonderful untouched patina with several shallow dents attesting to its service.

 Inventory Number: CON 359 / SOLD