Very Rare Fancy IDENTIFIED Near Complete CIVIL WAR Period Officer's CHESS SET, w/Original Wooden Box. Very nice IDENTIFIED Civil War period chess set, complete with original thin wooden box with typical sliding top. Chess pieces are typical period design and style, with nice aged patina, and appear to be made from bone.
Chess was one of the most popular games among Civil War officers to help while away the quiet hours. This set is very early and could actually predate the Civil War. Certainly of the period and do not appear to be any later than the Civil War. Civil War chess sets are among the rarest items to find, and complete sets are virtually never found, as pieces were lost or broken by children, etc. Over the past 160 years.
Any chess sets are very rarely seen now so even a partial set is a great addition to a variety of collections, especially if they have their original wooden box. Set is practically complete, missing only 2 pieces (1 horse & 1 castle) on the red side and 1 large piece (horse) and 1 pawn on the white side. Box also has great patina and appearance.
ESPECIALLY RARE TO HAVE THE OWNER'S NAME HAND WRITTEN IN INK ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE COVER, W. You HARDLY EVER find any type of identification on chess sets. Box measures 2 1/4" x 3" x 4 1/4. Chess pieces are large, typical of the period, ranging from 2 1/2" for the king and 1 1/4" for the pawns. Excellent condition overall and A GREAT SET FOR A CAMP OR OFFICER'S COLLECTION OR DIORAMA.