Welcome!

Please feel free to use the information on this page as a buying reference when you go 'picking'.

Most of the items that we find have a fast turnover rate however if you are interested in an item that you see here please leave an e-mail address or other contact method in the blog comment box and we will let you know if that item is still available and quote you a price.

Have a specific type of artifact that you'd like to see us seek out and report on? Wondering what that thing in the attic is or what it's worth? Our team is always happy to offer free advice.

Thanks for visiting us and Happy Picking!

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Non-Firing Replica British Pattern 1853 Enfield Civil War Rifled Musket

For immediate sale/ closeout from the pickers. Check out our Craigslist ad.
CLICK HERE: listing auto-expires in 45 days

This non-firing replica is highly collectible and would be suitable as a wall hanger, discussion piece, or for the civil war reenact-er on a budget.

We originally purchased this at Stoneham's Armory on Steinwehr Avenue in Gettysburg, PA (home of the second "bloodiest" battle of the American Civil War) in the Summer of 2010 for the sum of $260.00 USD. We are currently asking for $200 but will entertain any fair offers. This item is priced to move! We don't believe that you could find this deal for this style of London Armory stamped Enfield replica rifle anywhere else online. If you can, leave the link as a comment and we'll consider a valid change/match in pricing.

History of the Original: This British pattern 1853 rifled musket became the Confederate standard rifle of the Civil War. The Enfield was reliable, quick-loading, and accurate. It was a vast improvement over the previously used smoothbore Flintlock Muskets.

If interested, contact through Cragslist or the ORIGINAL Pittsburgh Pickers Website.

Approximate:
Length: 55"
Weight: 5.4 lbs
CRAIGSLIST AD: http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/clt/2914804751.html

STILL AVAILABLE IN 2013!!! GREAT DEAL!!!

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Gamewell Fire Alarm Pull Box

CA Early 1900s. Western Pennsylvania has a rich history in the fire service (There are hundreds of volunteer stations and Pittsburgh is home to the paid IAFF Firefighter’s Union Local #1). So it’s no surprise that we come across a lot of vintage firefighting equipment like this FIRE ALARM PULL BOX. A modernized version of this box can still be found in use today in cities across the country (like Boston to name just one). The boxes use telegraph technology which means they can work without electricity or telephone service. The process actually pre-dates telephones. There are a variety of companies which made these throughout the years but this one is made by the most popular, The Gamewell Co. in New York. If you needed assistance you literally broke out a glass panel, opened the box, and pulled down on a lever which would send a coded telegraph to the local fire department. The firefighters translated the code into two streets, an intersection. They would then go to that location and try to find the fire. Most PA boroughs removed their boxes in the mid 1950s when telephones in the home became more popular. With the invention of cell phones boxes have become hard to find outside of industrial sites. Gamewell had replaced all “break glass” models by 1924 with a simpler and less expensive external pull down lever.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Prince Albert Tobacco Tins

CA Before 1940: Tin process patented on July 30, 1907. Tobacco Tin/ Tobacciana. Prince Albert Crimp Cut Long Burning Pipe & Cigarette Tobacco Tin. These tins were manufactured in Winston Salem, North Carolina U.S.A. ,the same location where the tobacco was processed -at the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (which is still open today). Coloring: Red, Black, White, Yellow."DOES NOT BITE THE TONGUE"


Sunday, January 15, 2012

American Civil War Bullets (Union & Confederate)

CA 1863. American Civil War Military Relics. .58 Cal. 3 Ring Union Bullets & .58 Cal. 2 Ring Confederate Bullets. Dug Bullets found in Gettysburg, PA, host site of the 2nd bloodiest battle of the American Civil War (July 1-3 1863). Verified as authentic by The Horse Soldier: Fine Military Americana. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.