Original U.S. Army Ordnance Insignia, exact example in Gettysburg Museum

This is another rare piece being offered, it is an original Military bullion Flaming Bomb Ordnance Insignia. It measures approximately 2 1/4” x 1 1/2” with intricately sewn gold bullion and sequins to black felt. This pattern derives from the early eighteenth century “flaming grenade” insignia used by grenadiers. They were elite troops tasked with the dangerous job of throwing hand grenades.

In the U.S. Army it was adopted by the Ordnance Department in 1832, but overlapping use continued by the regular army at least until 1851 and by militia groups and soldiers throughout the Civil War (see period photograph). In the Gettysburg National Park Museum, there is an identical example of this insignia on display (see pictures).

This rare insignia is just about impossible to find today, I recently seen one of these insignias at the Gettysburg Show and the prominent dealer had it listed at $400.00 (see pictures). Soldiers would wear the insignia on their caps and jacket collars. It comes in the glass top display case pictured.