Field-made large lead acorn, possibly 14th Corp

Soldier made lead acorn, possibly 14th Corps. Click photo and "Detailed Description".

This piece was made from melted lead and is shaped like an acorn. It measures approximately 2 3/4" x 1 3/4" with four attachment holes. There are signs of rust marks at these small holes, probably had some kind of wire attachment. There also appears to be remnants of blue paint. It was recovered at a Union camp at Monocacy, Maryland. I am not sure if this was the intention of this piece as the soldier made it, but the acorn was the designation for the 14th Corps, and blue would have been for the Third Brigade. This unique piece was part of the Frederick McCullough (1907 - 1991) collection, which was accumulated from 1922 through 1988. 

In the early 1900's Frederick's relative, William McCullough was a bookseller in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. He and his family would visit Gettysburg often as he grew up and decades later he had become close friends with several museum owners, authors, historians and relic hunters from the area. He continued to return to Gettysburg until he was eighty four years old, continuing to add to his collection with every visit. Pieces from his collection have been loaned and/or donated to museums, schools and universities throughout New England. 

This unique item is somewhat of a mystery, being made from lead it would have been kind of heavy for attaching to a kepi. And as far as I know, the 14th Corp spent most of their service in the deeper south. I do have signed paperwork as to the provenance of this amazing artifact and will include it with the purchase. This would make a great addition to any Civil War collection.