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For those history buffs who can't pass up an opportunity to hold a piece of the past in their hands, collecting Civil War artifacts is a very rewarding hobby, and for most collectors, a passion. Collectors, who do not mind doing a little traveling, a little digging, and a lot of research, know that finding artifacts first hand is really exciting experience and for those who do not have the time to go digging, there are lots of other ways to begin and continue a great collection.

Here are a few tips on collecting really great Civil War artifacts and memorabilia.

EBAY: There is nothing like Ebay when it comes to relics from the past. Depending on how much you want to spend, you can buy a CSA (Confederate States of America) sword or gun or bid on a Union uniform, complete with tassels and bullet holes. Ebay is the perfect place for the discerning collector who wants to buy a piece of history that is usually accompanied by a COA (Certificate of Authenticity.)

BATTLEFIELDS or SURROUNDING AREAS: Many Civil War battlefields are now national parks, so you wouldn't want to take your metal detector in and just start digging where you please. However, many of the surrounding areas are locally owned and if you ask nicely enough, many people will let you trot all over their thousand acre farms and not begrudge the Minnie ball or button you find there. Make sure that you get permission before you go digging anywhere that does not belong to you!

MUSEUMS: Most Civil War museums have gift shops where you can purchase a musket ball or small artifacts. They may range anywhere from ten dollars to thousands, depending on what they have to sell and how much you want to spend.

YARD SALES: These treasure troves of trash have yielded some of the great finds of all time. Do not be surprised if you find jars full of buttons and then pause to take a closer look. You would be surprised how many Union and Confederate buttons (from uniforms) turn up in things like that. Look for anything that bears the CSA logo and you will know that you have something of value. Additionally, you can often find old newspapers, books, clippings, postcards, and journals. Sometimes you will get lucky and find Civil War era newspapers in stacks of unwanted or throwaway papers.

ESTATE SALES: Estate sales are different from yard sales in that the person who lived in the home has usually died and the family is attempting to liquidate the estate. These are great places to find relics and memorabilia that have been tucked away for generations in a family. Make sure that you get the history of the item you are interested in purchasing so that you can make a valid historical connection if you choose to resell it or donate it to a larger collection. Also, you can often call in advance and ask if they have any Civil War artifacts or complete collections. You would be surprised at how many other collectors are out there and you could very easily purchase for one price what it would have taken you years to collect otherwise.

Whether you are just beginning or a seasoned collector, Civil War artifacts are not as rare as some might think and you can establish a very interesting collection over the course of time. As with any hobby, tenacity and the nose to smell a good bargain will often lead you right to the perfect piece for your collection!

Learn more about this author, Lisa Doherty.
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