This method of displaying Civil War battlefield relics came into being in the decades after the war. In the fashion of the time, these relic pyramids usually stood four feet in height, each of their four sides filled with fascinating artifacts. Although these pyramids may be glimpsed in old photographs and in museum collections (the Gettysburg National Military Park possesses several comparable specimens), very seldom are they offered for sale. This piece ranks with the choicest relics we've seen. By every standard, a superb collectible!

This particular pyramid has numerous items affixed to it that were dropped or fired during the battle of Antietam, MD on September 17, 1862. It comes directly from the descendants of a family that owned a farm that was of strategic importance during the battle. Previously in the possession of the granddaughter of the owner of the farm, it was passed to her nephew, and, except for a few brief periods, has been in the home of his widow in Sharpsburg, MD since the mid-1900's.

The pyramid was created by O.T. Reilly, who as a small boy witnessed the fighting at Antietam. Born in Keedysville, he became a battlefield guide at the age of 15. In 1890 he opened a museum and relic shop on the square in Sharpsburg, MD.

The pyramid stands approximate 48" tall. Adding extra 9" of height is the 3" Schenkl shell seated at the top of the monument, which can be easily detached from the pyramid. Shell is missing it's fuse, and is in fine condition with just minor pitting to it's surface.

The four sides of the pyramid are as follows:

1. The letters and numbers forming the date "SEPT 17 1862" are spelled out in a mixture of US Minie balls and Enfield bullets in both dropped and fired condition. The lettering is surrounded by a "ribbon" type decoration, composed of Gardner and Enfield bullets as well as Minie balls, also being a mixture of dropped and fired. Affixed to the wooden board below and to the left and right of the 'T' is a pair of iron grapeshot in fired condition. A narrow ledge separates the upper portion from the lower base board, upon which sits a mixture of .69 caliber Prussian and Belgian bullets, both dropped and fired. A pair of fired iron grapeshot are also affixed to the ledge.

2. The letters and numbers forming the word "ANTIETAM" are spelled out with Minie balls, mainly in dropped condition. A long 'ribbon' design weaves around the letters, and is composed of dropped, pulled and fired US Minie balls, as well as .54, .57 and .58 caliber bullets. Affixed to the lower ledge above the base board is a mixture .69 caliber bullets and grapeshot.

3. Side three is composed of three circles with various items within. The top circle is formed with a mix of US Minie balls and US eagle coat buttons; the middle circle is composed of US Minie balls and round balls, as is the large circle at the bottom with a star in the center. Again the bullets are a mix of fired and dropped. Miscellaneous small relics are attached within each circle, the largest being a knife in the middle circle, and a SNY waist belt plate and five US eagle coat size buttons within the bottom circle. The ledge separating the upper and lower sections on this side is missing a number of items.

4. The remaining side features a star design composed of .58 cal. round balls; at the center is one cast iron grape shot. Around the star are affixed five 'US' belt plates. Attached to the board above the star are a pair of bayonets.

The lower base board on each side of the pyramid has a Union eagle breast plate affixed at center, surrounded by a pair of ribbons formed by a mix of dropped, fired and pulled projectiles. The border around the breast plate is composed of multiple types of bullets interspersed with rivets.

Bullets of varying types and sizes, both in fired and dropped condition, are attached in vertical lines where each of the larger upper boards meet.

This relic display presents the opportunity to purchase a truly outstanding and unique piece of history!

SPECIAL SHIPPING ARRANGEMENTS REQUIRED