Harmonica

[pvtben]

Hello guys

I am in need of some major help. Maybe im looking on the wrong place but i cant find anything. I am trying to find some pictures of some original civil wr harmonicas. I want to know what i need to do to defarb them or what i need to add. If anyone has anything on what they were made of who made them what they look like please contact me.

thanks
email me at
civilwarfreak013@aol.com

ben jenkins

[Michael Semann]

Ben, The following web sight has quite a bit of info on 19th Century Harmonicas, and is one of the better online sites for Harmonica historyhttp://www.usd.edu/smm/Batespage.htm Hope this helps.

[hardtack1864]

Yes, I also would like to know where I could find a authentic or defarbed Harmonica. Contact me at reliccrazy@aol.com if you have info.

[va-yank]

I have seen a lot of supposedly dug harmonica parts from CW campsites. The items always consist of just the metal sound plate and reeds and maybe some small brass pieces. Never have seen the stamped metal covers that are common on all modern types. Either they were very thin and all have disintegrated, or maybe harmonicas of that era had wooden covers?

Its a missing part of the puzzle, and I wish you success.

[Lawg]

I have read in secondary soucres that the harmonica was popular because of its durability and easy playability. i was just wanting to know if anyone can tell me how much this instrument was really used and if there are in primary sources saying they had these readily available to the average soldier?
Thanks for the help.

Stephen Chavez
6th Tx Co. K

[Vuhginyuh]

I can't give you a primary source personally but I can say that they (the metal parts at least) are among the most common artifacts found in camps around here.

I do not recall a period site we have excavated that did not produce at least the partial guts of one.

[Charles Kaiser]

Hallo Kameraden,
for Portrayal of an Union Civil war soldiers, I am know learning to play harmonica.
So I am looking for any Information about periodical harmonicas .

[Jubilo]

Dear Mr. ,
Seeing how you appear to be a "Dutchman " , you wil be proud to know that the instrument was invented in Germany . Lincoln supposedly played "The Blue Tail Fly " ( which he called "that buzzin' tune ," ) , on his harmonica. Google up Hohner Harmonicas and read their fascinating ( if you like harmonicas ) , history .
all for the old flag,
David Corbett

[Charles Kaiser]

Hallo Kameraden,
in the compendium was writtten, that harmonica - plates are most common dug music relic, but I wonder that this Instrument was so common in civil war, because honer was fonded in 1857( They have this Year there 150th aniversary). So what is about the american made harmonicas?

[Rob Weaver]

Hohner was not the only nineteenth century maker. The majority were in Germany and had been producing quality instruments cheaply for thirty years before the War. Harmonicas always were cheap, portable and expendible instruments, and were hugely popular for those reasons. Also someone with very little musical training can get a pleasant sound.