Civil War soldier’s pocketknife from Cemetery Ridge, Gettysburg – ex-Rosensteel Museum collection

This is another nice piece coming out of the large Gettysburg collection I acquired.  It is a Civil War soldier’s pocket knife fully opened, measuring 8” x 1”. This knife was recovered by Iva Rosensteel on Cemetery Ridge, between the Sedgewick monument and the New Jersey monument (see map).  Iva was the sister of George Rosensteel, who was the founder of the Gettysburg National Museum and the famous Electric Map. This is one of the items they had listed in their log book.

The Rosensteels were, of course, the most famous artifact collecting family in Gettysburg and the bulk of the relics on display at today's Gettysburg National Park Visitor Center came from the Rosensteels.

Cemetery Ridge figured prominently in the Battle of Gettysburg, July 1 to July 3, 1863.  It formed a primary defensive position for the Union Army during the battle, roughly the center of what is popularly known as the "fish-hook" line. The Confederates launched attacks on the Union positions on the second and third days of the battle but were driven back both times.

In my book “Battle of Gettysburg – The Relics, Artifacts & Souvenirs”, I show similar pieces that were recovered at Gettysburg and go into more details on the Rosensteels (see pictures). As expected, this knife is in rusted condition, but it remains solid and is just as found – it is rare to find one of these knives with a complete open blade. It has been coated for preservation.  A Certificate of Authenticity will be provided with this relic. This is an interesting artifact and would go great in any Gettysburg or Civil War collection.