Very Rare – Original Miniature Civil War Soldier’s Pocket Mirror (SOLD)

This is something you never see and is the first I have ever come across – it is a pewter Pocket Mirror, but the diameter is only 1 ¼”. It is identical to the typical examples you see in museums and books – usually they have a diameter of 3” and I have one pictured in my book “The Civil War Soldier – His Personal Items” (see pictures).

These type of mirrors were popular with soldiers because they are designed to be free-standing, a hook for hanging, and when closed the mirror is protected. There are examples of these mirrors in The Civil War Collectors Encyclopedia, by Francis Lord, Civil War Relics of the Western Campaigns, and in most Civil War museums. Typically, they would be sold by camp sutlers.

The smaller size does remain a mystery. With the amount of marching the Civil War soldier did, he always tried to cut down on size and weight, but in this case, it would not make much of a difference. Anyway, it is unique and the only one I have ever seen. Comes in the glass top display case pictured.