Extremely high quality officer's presentation sword manufactured by Solingen sword marker W. Clauberg for Schuyler, Hartley & Graham of New York City. The sword features an ivory grip with highly detailed image of Lady Liberty carved in relief on the obverse. The gold plated hilt has the rarely encountered sea shell shaped guard, single relief cast knuckle bow and deeply relief cast pommel cap. The back of the pommel cap has a highly detailed three-dimensional bust of Lady Liberty. The reverse guard has a folding oval counter guard with a detailed eagle and six standards. The base of the guard has a very rare sea shell shaped casting. The sword has a 32-inch, round back, single fluted, spear point blade. The blade is acid etched and has dry needle engraving and gold wash. The obverse features a panoply of arms, scrollwork, a central spread eagle with "E PLURIBUS UNUM" ribbon and intertwined "US" flanked by scrollwork. The reverse of the blade is etched with the motto: "For the Union and the Constitution" flanked by a panoply of arms and scrollwork. The reverse ricasso is stamped with the W .Clauberg trademark, and the obverse is etched "SCHUYLER HARTLEY/& GRAHAM/ NEW YORK". The hilt has a green felt washer. The silver plated scabbard has highly detailed relief cast, pierced, and gold plated throat, suspension bands and drag. The reverse side of the upper suspension band is engraved: "PRESENTED/TO/Col. T. Sullivan/By the 48th Regt. N.G./NOV. 21st 1871" in five lines. This is a best quality presentation sword that combines elements seen on other high quality Clauberg swords sold by Schuyler, Hartley & Graham but rarely found on one sword. Research suggests that "T. Sullivan" was Timothy Sullivan, a New York National Guard officer. In 1861 he went into the field commanding the 24th New York Volunteer Infantry, which spent it's two year period as a component of the Eastern Iron Brigade, which campaigned actively around Fredericksburg and engaged Robert E. Lee's forces at the Battle of South Mountain, fighting along the 23rd Ohio, which included two future American Presidents in it's ranks (Hayes and McKinley). Returning to New York in 1863, Sullivan would be appointed Colonel of the 48th Regiment until 1872, when he was promoted to Brigadier General of the 24th Brigade (later reoganized as the 6th Brigade, with Sullivan retaining his post), holding that rank until 1881. In civilian life he settled down in Oswego, New York, establishing a family and operating a boot and shoe store, passing on in April of 1900 at the age of 80.

Excellent. The sword is all original and retains at least 95% of the gold finish on the hilt, scabbard, and blade. The grip has a yellow patina acquired over the course of over 145 years but remains in excellent condition with crisp relief carving. The deeply cast relief pommel, knuckle bow, guard, counter guard and base are in excellent condition and retain nearly all of the gold plated finish. The acid etched decoration and dry needle engraving on the blade are crisp. The gold wash shows only very minor wear. The wear on the bright tip of the blade is limited to a very minor age spots. The scabbard body retains nearly all of the silver plated finish and, although slightly tarnished, is free from dents or other handling wear. The gold plated throat, drag, and suspension bands are in excellent condition. The finely engraved presentation on the upper suspension band is extremely sharp. This is a truly excellent example of a highest grade W. Clauberg officer's presentation sword.