Civil War Soldier’s wooden mirror

This is another nice piece from a Civil War collection being offered; it is a Civil War soldier’s shaving mirror. It is crudely made of wood and measures 8” x 3 ½” and the handle has a hole in it for hanging. As expected because of its age, much of the silvering of the mirror has worn away and there is a crack.  

A personal mirror was a necessity for every soldier, it would be needed for shaving and grooming. They had to be small enough to carry in a haversack or backpack. I discuss these types of mirrors and soldier’s hygiene in my book “The Civil War Soldier – His Personal Items” (see pictures).

This unique piece is still tight but shows its age from extended use. The size and light weight made it convenient to carry in a haversack or backpack. It would make a great addition to a display of a soldier's personal effects or in a camp scene.