Measuring 37 1/2 inches overall this excellent sword is fitted with a 31 3/4 inch long curved double fuller blade with finely etched and gold washed martial and patriotic motifs on both sides of the lower third, "IRON-PROOF" on the spine, and the stamped maker's mark of W. Clauberg of Solingen on the left ricasso. The guard is of a novel design with a solid one-branch body following the typical profile of the U.S. Staff & Field Sword featuring carved laurels and a heraldic dolphin rear quillion, but in lieu of the traditional punched-through decoration are a series of separately cast and sculpted vines that are mounted within the guard branch, interwoven with each other and showing a set of finely sculpted leaves and a series of 9 purple faceted gemstone accents, possibly garnet. In place of the typical grip and pommel is a 5 7/8 inch silver finished cast brass sculpture of the goddess Minerva (aka Athena), depicted with a downturned sword in her right hand, a sheath of grain in her left, a matching faceted stone on her mail shirt and a separately cast and engraved Phrygian cap pommel. The main body of the scabbard is finished in silver and furnished with finely sculpted gilt fittings with a series of six garnets arranged like laurel leaves on the upper and lower suspension bands, a lightly crenelated throat, an American shield between the lower band and the tip, and the inscription "Presented to Capt. Knox McAfee, by the Members of E Co. 12th Regt. N.Y.S.N.G." between the bands. Records verify that Knox McAfee was the Captain of E Company of the 12 Regiment of the New York State National Guard (sometimes recorded as the National Guard of the State of New York). Originally mustering in on a three month contract, the 12th was one of many units rushed to the defense of Washington, D.C. at the outbreak of the Civil War and volunteered to extend their service indefinitely to contribute to the defense of Harper's Ferry, Virginia, which was both the location of a famous early American arsenal and a potential obstacle to General Robert E. Lee's supply line during his incursions into the North. The commander of the arsenal was one Colonel Dixon S. Miles, a formerly respected Mexican-American War veteran who disgraced himself by showing up drunk to the First Battle of Bull Run and was sent to the arsenal to get him out of the way. In spite of the valiant efforts of the defenders, Miles' mismanagement of the situation resulted in the surrender of the Arsenal, it's contents (73 cannons and a large quantity of small arms), and over 12,000 Union soldiers to the Confederates, the largest surrender of Union forces during the Civil War. Records from the battle name the 12th as the final Union force to strike it's flag when the defense ended, and was paroled back to New York completely "exchanged" by October of 1863. McAfee and others from the unit went right back to federal service, and though records are muddied by the existence of more that one 12th Regiment from New York, it is believed that McAfee and his men were part of the forces present at the Battle of Gettysburg as a component of either General Sykes or General Yates' forces. Records on McAfee's post-war life are fuzzy, though records from New York State indicate that in 1867 he was a resident of New York City and had achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, suggesting either a wartime or immediate post-war presentation of the sword. Included with the lot is a golden wire sword knot and a hardwood case with a French-cut blue felt lined interior.

Exceptionally fine. The very fine blade shows a small amount of spotting, concentrated on the upper third, a few miniscule nicks along the edge and over half of the original gilt finish on the sharp and crisp etching. The guard is very good, with about 65% of the gilt finish, with a slight bend in the guard branch on the obverse side and a few dark spots at the joints between the guard and the accents. 85% plus well aged antique silver is present on the grip, with some mild wear on the high points, a slight bend in the tip of the sword, and a small amount of play in the cap, which is missing two out of four screws. The scabbard is fine showing a darker color in the lower areas and sharp detail in the fittings. The engraving of the shield and inscription is different in profile than the rest of the decoration; though not documented, it suggests that the unit procured the sword and scabbard as a set and then had the scabbard engraved by a jeweler or similar third party before the presentation was made. The case is fair with the lid detached from the body and wear appropriate to age on the interior and exterior. A superb demonstration of the Solingen blademakers art as well as the beauty of the American presentation sword.