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WOODEN MILITARY FIELD CHEST OF CONFEDERATE MAJOR

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
WOODEN MILITARY FIELD CHEST OF CONFEDERATE MAJOR
SACKFIELD MACLIN, SAN ANTONIO, TX. This is an interesting field chest no doubt contemporary to Maclin’s days as a U.S. Army paymaster in the late 1850s. The iron bound wood chest measures 38"x20"x20” has an original painted inscription “Major S. Maclin / CSA”, the “CSA” originally was “USA” & the “U” simply painted over w/ a “C”. Major Maclin was stationed w/ the US Army in the pay department in 1861 but he resigned Feb 23 1861. He did have later service in the Confederacy though details are sketchy. It is known that when he resigned, he was holding $30,000 in gold that he allowed to be confiscated by the new Texas Confederate General Twiggs after the War began. The US Govt. held him responsible & seized his property in Michigan since according to contemporary newspaper accounts, he had accepted a commission in the Confederate Army. Inside chest is contained a sm. caped black trimmed postwar jacket w/ a pair of loose embroidered stars of unknown purpose. The chest has a 32x36” tacked on Indian wicker cover w/ red & black southwestern decoration, obtained when he was serving as a CS paymaster in Texas. CONDITION: wooden chest still retains much of its original blue milk paint w/ the normal heavy scuffing & wear on bottom & edges. Iron hardware is complete including latch & lifting handles. Piece of newer red cloth has been glued in the bottom. The wicker top is worn & frayed in areas & has some additional modern tacks holding it in place. The sm. coat is poor w/ missing lining & holes as can be seen in photos. (02-13583/JS). $2,000-3,000.