Here is an early war US M1851 Colt Navy holster made by Gaylord of Chicopee, Mass., that was apparently reclaimed by a Confederate officer in the 7th Virginia Cavalry, "Ashby's" Cavalry. Stamped with a "CS" on the outside flap, the inside bears what is seemingly a period stencil denoting "LT. C. H. VANDIVER / 7TH VA. CAV." This would imply that this holster was used by Lt. Charles H. Vandiver of Company H, 7th Virginia Cavalry. Although their has been some speculation as to the authenticity of the stencil as it was uncommon among Confederate items, it is not unheard of, and it is of our opinion that the ID is indeed genuine and period. The holster is in overall good condition, with a makeshift period repair of a rawhide lace to replace the leather tab that was lost to fix the flap to the body of the holster at the brass finial. It also appears from the indentation that this possibly once held a Starr revolver for a period of use.

Charles H. Vandiver

Residence Ridgeville, Hampshire County, WV; a 21-year-old Farmer.
Enlisted on 6/1/1861 at Romney, WV as a Corpl.

On 6/1/1861, he mustered into "H" Co. Virginia 7th Cavalry.
(Date and method of discharge not given.)

He was listed as:

Wounded 2/14/1862 Bloomery Gap, VA
POW 4/19/1862 Columbia Bridge, VA
Confined 5/1/1862 Fort Delaware, DE (Estimated day)
Exchanged 8/5/1862 Aiken's Landing, VA
Wounded 12/3/1862 Moorefield, WV (Graze wound to the head)
Detailed 12/27/1862 Winchester, VA (Detailed with 27 men)
Detailed 4/27/1863 (place not stated) (Sent on scout by Brig-Gen Jones)
Commanding Company 6/9/1863 (place not stated) (Commanding Co. F)
Fought 7/3/1863 Fairfield, PA
Wounded 9/13/1863 Culpeper Court House, VA (Gunshot wound to the hip)
Commanding Company 12/31/1863 (place not stated) (Commanding through 04/30/64)
Horse killed 5/4/1864 Wilderness, VA
Horse killed 5/28/1864 Wilderness, VA
Wounded 6/28/1864 Sappony Church, Sussex County, VA (Shell hit, right arm amputated)
Absent, wounded 7/3/1864 (place not stated) (Absent through 10/31/64)

Promotions:

2nd Sergt 1/15/1862 (Estimated day)
2nd Lieut 10/9/1862

Born 5/1/1840 in Hampshire County, WV
Died 9/7/1911 in Lafayette County, MO

(Editor, Keyser Tribune, 1870-80. Sergt at Arms, WV House of Reps. MO State Senator, 1896. Awarded the Cross of Honor.)

After the war, he lived in Keyser, WV; Vernon Co., MO & Lafayette Co., MO

Sources used by Historical Data Systems, Inc.:

The Virginia Regimental Histories Series
Confederate Veteran Magazine

Revolver Holster stamped "CS" with ID Stencil Lt. C. H. Vandiver 7th Va Cav

$1,500.00