VERY RARE – 19th century traveling horse-racing roulette game, popular with soldiers

Being offered is an antique traveling horse-racing roulette game, dating from the mid-19th century. The treen case with lid has a 3 ½” diameter and is 2” high. Inside is a removeable spinning wheel with horses and numbers 1 – 5 and having a small ball. There are five 1 ½” wooden chips with corresponding numbers.  Players would place bets using the numbered wooden counters, spin the center wheel with its small built-in peg  and see which horse "won" the race.

These portable sets were wonderful examples of 19^th century novelty gaming. Because gambling laws and social customs varied widely, these small wooden cases didn’t draw any attention. They could easily fit in a coat pocket or a soldiers backpack.

Gambling was a widespread and persistent part of camp life for both Union and Confederate soldiers during the Civil War, driven largely by intense boredom between brief periods of combat.

Considered a vice and often forbidden by commanders, men were still drawn to gambling for several reasons. The chance to make some money might entice soldiers, but many could ill afford to lose funds desperately needed back home. Others with no such responsibilities gambled to fight the monotony.

Games such as this would be sold to soldiers by camp sutlers. In my book “The Civil War Soldier – His Personal Items”, I discuss some of the vices soldiers faced and how they dealt with it. The game remains in excellent condition and still works just fine. This game is very rare, and I am sure any museum would love to have it in their collection.