Presented in this lot is a Civil War era Fife with the Original Pewter Cheater Mouthpiece. Provenance: Tombstone Western Heritage Museum, Tombstone, Arizona. During the Civil War, there were principally three musical instruments that were utilized on the battlefield – the field or snare drum, the bugle and the fife. Additional instruments were played in camp settings, while some regiments boasted full bands for use in parades and as entertainment, away from the battlefield. As an instrument with long time, military use, the fife was essentially a flute, with a limited range of notes. Prior to the Civil War, the fife maintained battlefield significance, as it was pitched so high that its sound carried over many of the sounds of battle. By the time of the Civil War, enhanced weaponry and larger battles produced more noise, thereby rendering the fife obsolete for its original purpose, relegating it to use on marches. Civil War period infantry regiments were allotted two musicians, per company – a fifer and a drummer. This fife is constructed of a dark, rosewood, with silver ferrules at each end. To assist the musician, an original, pewter “cheater” or mouthpiece is bracketed in place with a brass adjustable nut. Museum label, "CIVIL WAR era FIFE", and museum code, "CW-05". The fife is in very nice condition, no marring observed. Measures 17.25"L, weight is U6.