Wood stock from battle-damaged musket, dated “1831”, found in Tennessee (SOLD,TA)

This is a very interesting piece being offered, it is the stock from a battle-damaged Civil War musket. It has brass hardware, dated “1831” on butt plate, initials “E.T” and “TK” on one side and “W” on the other. I am not positive of what musket it is, but I a pretty sure it is a Potsdam. It came out of an antebellum house in Tennessee. An old tag states “Found in Tennessee".                                               

Tennessee sent over 120,000 soldiers to fight for the Confederacy and over 31,000 to aid the Union and had had more battles fought within its borders than any other state except Virginia. Civilian violence had taken a heavy toll as well. Families across the state had lost husbands, fathers, and sons.

This is one of those relics you seldom come across. Having a date of 1831, it would have likely been used by a Confederate soldier, and at one time brought home as a battlefield souvenir. I have one from my collection that is pictured in my book “Battle of Gettysburg – The Relics, Artifacts & Souvenirs” (see pictures). There is also one in the Gettysburg Museum and Visitors Center collection (see pictures).