Civil War Artillery Pincers

Civil War Artillery Pincers from battlefield. Click picture for details. (SOLD)

Civil War Artillery Gunners pincers. They are in a frozen position and measure about 6 ½” long. This was an important tool used during the Civil War by artillerymen to open ammunition crates and to work on artillery shells and their sabots. In The Civil War Collectors Encyclopedia, by Francis Lord, he states "If the obstruction in the vent projected beyond the surface of the gun, or had a head, it could be withdrawn with the gunner's pincers, which were made of iron with steel jaws. One end of the arms had a clasp for drawing nails". This item was recovered on private property at the Port Hudson, Louisiana Battlefield. In cooperation with Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant’s offensive against Vicksburg, Union Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Bank’s army moved against the Confederate stronghold at Port Hudson on the Mississippi River. On May 27 1863, after their frontal assaults were repulsed, the Federals settled into a siege which lasted for 48 days. Banks renewed his assaults on June 14 but the defenders successfully repelled them. On July 9, 1863, after hearing of the fall of Vicksburg, the Confederate garrison of Port Hudson surrendered, opening the Mississippi River to Union navigation from its source to New Orleans. This artifact is in good condition; only a tiny piece missing off one of the handles and it is in very solid condition and has been coated with a varnish for preservation. (SOLD)