CW N Civil War News
Vol. 45, No. 5
$3.50
America’s Monthly Newspaper For Civil War Enthusiasts
Good Weather Brought Big Crowds to Baltimore TIMONIUM, Md.—The 65th anniversary of the Maryland Arms Collectors Association Show was held at the State Fairgrounds, Timonium, Md., on March 16 & 17, 2019. This gun show, more commonly known as “The Original Baltimore Antique Arms Show” or just “The Baltimore Show,” is acknowledged by most people as the premier antique gun show on the American east coast and by many as the best antique gun show in the world. The Baltimore Show attracts thousands of serious collectors from across the globe. Whichever way you view it, you would have to admit that once again it was a great show for dealers, collectors, the general public, and anyone interested in gun collecting or military history. It is a true labor of love for the collectors who make up the Show Committee. The show opened to the usual rush of customers on Saturday and quickly filled the Cow Palace. Over the years Maryland Arms Collectors Association has expended great effort and expense
Best Weapon Award went to Ken Knoll (right) for his Macon Arsenal 10-pounder Parrott rifle, Serial No. 8. Standing to his right is his son Bradley. to transform a building designed to exhibit cows into an attractive and accommodating space to welcome exhibitors and visiting crowds. Those who attended were treated to over 900 sales and display tables of antique and historic arms and arms-related items. One of the major attractions was the “Best of Show” display, “A Withering Hail of Iron – Grape and Canister in the Civil War.” This display offered a look at the various types of cannon shot used by Union and Confederate forces during the War Between the States. It was fascinating to learn the difference between the canister and grape shot in both size and utilization. Our “Best Single Weapon” highlighted a 10-pounder Parrott, Serial No. 8, the only known surviving 10-pounder Parrott rifle made by Macon Arsenal. Exhibitors came from 44 states and 10 foreign countries including Canada, The United Kingdom, Israel, Switzerland, Belgium, and
Germany. As is usual with the show, old friends were revisited and new friends were made and treasures found new homes. The weekend seemed to fly by and all too soon it was Sunday afternoon and time to announce awards for the show. When displays win awards at the Baltimore Show, you can be assured that they are world class. Judges Choice Awards went to Robert Jaffe for “Fayetteville Rifle,” Douglas Porter for “Remington Nylon .22 Rifles,” Bill Vance for “Pennsylvania and Maryland Long Rifles and ART,” and Paul D. Johnson for
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48 Pages, May 2019
Redesignation of Fort Sumter National Monument CHARLESTON, S.C.—The National Park Service announces the redesignation of Fort Sumter National Monument to Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park. The law also establishes management authority and defines the park boundaries to include: Fort Sumter, Fort Moultrie, and the Sullivan’s Island Life Saving Station Historic District. This provision was passed as a part of the John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management and Recreation Act (Natural Resources Management Act of Recognizes) that passed both houses of Congress in February; President Donald Trump signed it into law on Tuesday, March 12, 2019. Originally, U.S. Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina introduced legislation in both 2016 and 2017 to enact the changes to the park. Fort Sumter was added to the National Park Service as a national monument in 1948. Fort Moultrie was added to the park in 1960 using the Historic Sites Act of 1935. “This name change to Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park will help the public understand and recognize that Fort Sumter, Fort Moultrie, and the Sullivan’s Island Life Saving
Station Historic District are part of America’s National Park system,” stated Dawn Davis. “In particular, it will be wonderful to have Fort Moultrie elevated by including it in the name of the park, especially as the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution is just a few years away. Fort Sumter is the site of the opening bombardment of the Civil War on April 12-13, 1861. Across the Charleston Harbor entrance is Fort Moultrie, the site best known for the patriot’s repulse of the British Navy on June 28, 1776. Combined, both forts showcase 171 years of seacoast defense. Fort Sumter is located in Charleston Harbor and is only accessible by boat. Concession-operated ferry boats depart daily from Liberty Square in Charleston, and from Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant. The Liberty Square departure point houses the park’s primary visitor center and is located at 340 Concord Street in Charleston. For information on ferry departure schedules and prices, call Fort Sumter Tours, Inc. at (843) 722-2628 or visit them online at www.fortsumttertours.com. Fort Moultrie is located at 1214 Middle Street, Sullivan’s Island, and is accessible by car. Visit www.nps.gov/fosu/index.htm.
Aerial view of Fort Sumter off Charleston, South Carolina. (Library of Congress, Carol M. Highsmith Photography, Inc.)
Inside this issue: 47 – Advertiser Index 8 – Black Powder, White Smoke 36 – Book Reviews 38 – Critic’s Corner 34 – Emerging Civil War
44 – Events Section 22 – The Graphic War 24 – Inspection, ARMS! 39 – Small Talk-Trivia 16 – The Source
10 – The Unfinished Fight 28 – This And That 14 – Through The Lens