Wood gavel, crafted from bullet-struck wood from Culp’s Hill, Gettysburg. 19th century ink inscription to reverse reads: “Culp’s Hill / Gettysburg / July 1863 / 1865”.  Overall 9.75 in., head width 4.75 in. 

Finely crafted gavel crafted from the wood of a witness tree to the battle of Gettysburg, marked by a bullet hole visible on one side. The reverse bears a handsome period inscription identifying the source: “Culp’s Hill/Gettysburg” and "July 1863/ 1865" indicating the origin of the witness tree wood, the date of the battle, and speculatively the date at which the item was created. Gettysburg Battlefield souvenirs were popularly made from the bullet-damaged wood around the battle sights, particularly Culp’s Hill, which saw some of the heaviest fighting during the conflict. This gavel contains historic memorabilia from the battle while also acting as a relic itself. Gavels made out of bullet-struck wood were often used in G.A.R. halls or sold as souvenirs.

[Civil War, Union, Confederate] [Gettysburg, Little Round Top, Culp's Hill, Pickett's Charge, Devil’s Den] [Manuscripts, Documents, Letters, Ephemera, Signatures, Autographs] [Art, Folk Art, Military Art, Etching, Engraving, Lithographs, Prints, Ephemera] [Relics, Militaria]