2006-06
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/31/2006
Original Inscribed Toothbrush belonging to a 54th Massachusetts Civil War Volunteer Colored Infantryman, Choice Fine. 7" long. Wooden-handled Civil War era toothbrush, which folds to an extended size of 4" and having a carved inscription of its original owner: "G. Ringgold - 54 MASS. REG." George W. Ringgold, private, was a resident of Pittsfield, a barber, a 20-year-old who enlisted February 28, 1863. Ringgold was mustered out on August 20, 1865, after reaching the rank of corporal. Lovely cherry wood toothbrush, nicely polished, with a few missing bristles and an inch-long, hairline crack along the back of the handle. This is a rare, original historic item from Massachusetts' first all-Black fighting regiment, distinguished for its service on the field of battle in South Carolina, in which the regiment lost its commander, Robert Gould Shaw, and suffered heavy casualties. A unique item directly relating to the famous Black Infantry, the 54th Massachusetts.
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