Bluewater Publications Hosts Antique Gun Collector James Mitchell for Fund Raiser

TUSCUMBIA –  Bluewater Publications is hosting avid antique gun collector and professional antique appraiser and dealer, James Mitchell in Tuscumbia at the Church of Christ Annex building on Friday, May 3^rd at 7:00 P.M. in an effort to help the Sons of the Confederate Veterans Camp 898 raise funds to have a bust of General Deshler cast. The bust will be placed in the Winston Home or in Deshler High School. Mr. Mitchell will have a portion of his extensive antique gun collection on display. One of the prize pieces in Mr. Mitchell’s collection is a composite rifle assembled on the plantation of former Vice President William Rufus King of Selma, AL.

Mitchell dueling pistol.

James Mitchell’s veneration for antique guns and Civil War paraphernalia became his livelihood. He opened his first antique and gun shop, the Confederate Ordinance, in Mobile, AL in 1969. Currently he owns Ye Olde Post Office Antiques in Fair Hope, AL at 15296 Co. Rd. 3. He is also a certified professional appraiser for antique guns and Civil War documents. He has been contracted by the city of Mobile and Auburn University on several occasions. If you have a Civil War letter or document, or an antique gun that needs to be appraised you can reach him at 251-510-5007.

James Deshler

Mr. Mitchell also has an extensive personal collection of Civil War pieces and antique weapons. Bluewater Publications became acquainted with Mr. Mitchell while preparing Thomas E. Kilgo’s Gunsmiths and Allied Tradesmen of Alabama for publication.  Gunsmiths and Allied Tradesmen of Alabama (ISBN-13: 978-1934610770) represents an exhaustive and comprehensive effort to identify and list all known gunsmiths who lived and worked in Alabama from 1790 to the early 1900’s and produced some of the most important items of Alabama history and culture. Few tangible examples have survived, yet these few are a significant window into the past of our ancestors and the lives of these pioneers. Mr. Mitchell owns many of the few pieces that have survived and they are pictured in the book.

For a suggested donation of at least $5.00 you can hear Mr. Mitchell speak, have the rare opportunity to view at least part of his unique collection, and help the SCV honor a local hero. You will also be able to purchase Thomas E. Kilgo’s Gunsmiths and Allied Tradesmen of Alabama at the event and have Mr. Mitchell sign it. Tickets can be purchased at Coldwater Books, 101 W. 6^th St. in Tuscumbia, AL or by contacting Stacie Kent at stacieckent@yahoo.com.