Civil War erabullet proof vest or body armor and neck stock, 2 items total. 1st item: Two-piece bullet proof vest or body armor. By oral history, belonged to a UnionSoldier from Columbus, Ohio. Each piece comprised of sheet iron, worked to fit across the wearer's chest, with two shoulder straps, the right shoulder strap with canvas coating. Unsigned. Includes a photocopy of the title page and two pages regarding body armor from THEYFOUGHT FOR THE UNION by Francis A. Lord, Ph.D., published by Bonanza Books, New York, 1989. Armor – 18 1/4" H x 9" W. Note: This example is similar in design to the James S. Smith, New York, patent, nicknamed "Monitor" in reference to the Union iron clad ship. 2nd item: Civil War era neck stock, comprised of a wide piece of black leather with a black metal buckle and a smaller strap of black leather sewn to each end. Buckle stamped "Pat'd 1855." 2 1/4" H x 15 3/4" L. Note: Neck stocks were used to train soldiers to keep their chin and neck straight while wearing high collared uniforms. Provenance: Private Southern collection. CONDITION: 1st item: Overall good condition with areas of oxidation. Traces of black paint, primarily to exterior, still intact. Canvas coating is not present to left shoulder strap. 2nd item: Overall good condition with cracking, areas of loss, largest 7/8" x 2" to leather.