Black painted canvas knapsack with "F. / 1st. P.V. / J. Conner" stencilled in white on outside. Belonged to John Conner of Co. F, 1st Pennsylvania Volunteers (Three Months), a company which originated in April 1861 from the Lancaster Fencibles.
Canvas with black waterproof finishe on outside. Machine sewn, squared corners with flaps at top sides that can be tied together to cover top opening. On back are four strips under which belts can be slid. Belt like a "Y"--two ends with holes from one strip that has 2 buckles at its end.
33" x 23.25" hemmed piece, centered along one long (33") edge and sewn to top back of case. Two 8.5-inch strips of twill tape sewn 7 inches apart in center of both 23.25" edges so this piece can fold over, completly covering the case and can be secured with ties.
Civil war bayonet with broken blade and bronze handle. Stamped "M" in handle. Accompanying tag reads, "picked up from Gettysburg Battlefield on July 7th, 1863 by Isaac W. Leidigh of Paradise."
Rubber shaving box, circular. "U.S.N." "Don't Give Up the Ship" Label on exterior reads, "This is a shaving box from the old frigate congress which the Merrimack sank." In pen on label, "Emmons"
Brass buckle of the sword belt used with the Civil War uniform of Jacob Pontz (1838-1929). Rectangular buckle is cast in high relief with a raised spread eagle with E PLURIBUS UNUM banner in his beak and an olive branch in one talons and arrows of war in the other. Foliate branches undergird eagle with a "U" formation. One brass clasp/clip of belt is loose - a part that would have fit end of now-missing belt and attached via clip on back of buckle.
See Pontz Sword #2015.031.1
Provenance
Passed from Jacob through his daughter Nelle who married a Pickering to the donor, the gr gr granddaughter of the Jacob Pontz.
Civil War coatee, perhaps for Pennsylvania Volunteer Regiment 1, Company K, known as the Jackson Rifles. Appears to be a dress/parade uniform.
Navy blue & white wool coatee with standing collar. 3 columns of buttons on the front and on two 15-inch tails. Metallic-thread embellishments on sleeves and tails. Front of garment tapers to a slight point at the center front, ending at the waist. Back with tails is longer. This is a finely constructed and tailored garment made of quality materials.
Buttons: Bronze-colored metal buttons with "Jackson Rifles" circling a center "JR" monogram. On reverse of button is a metal loop/shank and "Pettibone Mfg. Co., Cincinnati." 26 buttons on front of garment (one is missing) in three columns of 9; and 2 at waist level on back of garment. All have a diameter .875 inch). Three .25-inch buttons along side seams on each sleeve.
Back of garment: White wool along outer & inner edges of both 15-inch long tails. A hook & eye sewn where tails meet in center to align and hold tails together. Both decorated with branches with 13 star-like leaves sewn in metallic threads.
Sleeves: Both underarm and sides seams. (A torn seam opening reveals padding beneath sewn button shanks to anchor them.) Three .25-inch buttons sewn 2, 3.5 & 5 inches from cuff along underarm seam. Sleeves lined with tan silk-like fabric with woven plant designs.
Inside body of coatee: "31" in black inked onto batting at back neck. Remaining threads beneath indicate that a sewn-in tag was removed. A fabric loop for hanging the garment is sewn onto the collar. Garment is lined with grid-stitched batting. 6-inch slash pockets on left front and one on each tail.
