Description

Copied from an orginal in our collection is this elegant genuine bone handled toothbrush with real animal bristle brush. We have handled many documented examples of Civil War era toothbrushes which were brought from home, private purchased, sold by sutlers, etc. Handle is marked “Extra-Fine” as in the original item. The handle, all hand carved, sports fine incise lines and the end is shaped in a federal shield design. This the last stash we had put back of this particular model brush and the blank we have them carved from appears to be no longer available – get’em while you can. Historical Note: Recently an online discussion was brought to my attention in which it was asserted by a participant that the hole in the end of a toothbrush handle was a later feature because he thought it was where the more modern soft rubber pick was attached, and he had “never seen” an original with a hole. While this particular model we list here does not have a hole it is still worth clarifying for the living historian interested in accurate information. We have handled hundreds of dug and undug documented CW period toothbrushes, some with holes, some without. While the rubber pick is a later feature the hole is not, and was originally intended for a lanyard. Maybe if more had been employed, we would find less toothbrushes in dug privies – maybe because they were employed is why we have found less examples with the hole from that particular source! While it may be generally true that the lanyard hole was first “promoted as a feature” by a large commercial manufacture in the US in the immediate post war period (1880s) as an “improved drying method”, it is documented with indisputable provenance that other domestic makers and import makers placed such a lanyard hole even in the pre-war period. (the larger commercial company probably swiped the idea from one of them – leave it to such an enterprise to sell a simple hole as such a remarkable improvement with such a grandiose purpose! There promotion, rather than the actual introduction of the feature, was done during a period when increased attention was being given to the possibility of disease coming from brushes that were not dried properly and possibly retaining bacteria. Other makers begin to promote and drill drain holes into the side of the end where the bristles were woven to aid in drying as well) The point being it was not for the purpose asserted by the online participant, the time period was erroneously implied, and incorrect at any rate. Secondly, it has also been asserted similarly that “all” handles of CW era toothbrushes were curved. (apparently in direct response to a question concerning our toothbrushes – for the record we were never offered the courtesy of being directly contacted by anyone to ascertain our position) As stated, the opinion was based on looking at a few references, unamed museum collections, and handling a few originals with unpublished provenance. I am not questioning the intent nor the right to express the opinion, just availing our friends of our current conclusions upon over 45 years of collecting, research, dealing, and consulting on CW era personal items and material culture. Again, based upon handling hundreds of originals toothbrushes many with indisputable provenance, we have found some with curved handles and MANY that were straight as an arrow. Frankly, we have no ability to state whether some of the curved ones were made that way – or it occurred with age, use, and abuse – likely it is both. Many of these toothbrushes either have only a dealer marking with no maker markings, or no markings at all. Bone warps AND toothbrushes were manufactured both straight and purposely curved, in BOTH directions, with differing degrees of what is known as “cranking”, for decades before the war by various manufacturers. The fact is that if you want a curved handle – I believe there is one available from another fine vendor – and also – it actually is not that hard to do! (NOTE: a relatively recent publication dealing with the use of bone toothbrushes to assist in dating archaeological sites uses a typology and dating matrix that must be carefully viewed and is not intended to be singular or definitive by itself as a method. While it supports our research as stated and it has very valuable information, it is not, nor does it purport to be unequivocal in it’s application. It deals with some specifics and many generalities with a valuable but finite sample as a scientific exercise) BEWARE “historians” and “researchers” with small amounts of data and limited experience, utilizing singular or poorly understood resources, who cavalierly extrapolate them into statements using the words “never” and “ever” as it relates to material facts. As always, we press forward against the dogma with the goal of revealing a balanced and accurate historical picture of CW era material culture. “the more I learn – the less I realize I know!”