All of the items in this lot were owned by Medal of Honor recipient Colonel Jacob Gellert Frick Sr. (1825-1902) and fit within the story of his service in the Union Army which is documented in various primary and secondary sources including the included copies. He first joined the U.S. military during the Mexican-American War and was a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1860 in Chicago which ended with the nomination of Abraham Lincoln. He was quick to respond to President Lincoln's call for troops after the Confederates attack on Fort Sumter. He first served as a lieutenant-colonel and the second in command of the 96th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. In July of 1862, he was honorably discharged from this unit in order to become the colonel and commander of the new 129th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. The included spectacular and incredibly fine Tiffany & Co. officer's sword was presented to him by his fellow officers in the 129th at Falmouth, Virginia, on Thanksgiving Day 1862. They had recently moved to Falmouth from Sharpsburg, Maryland. The sword is pictured and discussed in detail on pages 510 and 511 of "Civil War Army Swords" by John H. Thilmann and is listed as a combination of the British patterns of 1827 and 1845 (and thus non-regulation) with a 32 inch blade that is 1 1/8 inches wide, large fuller that is 20 3/4 inches long, small fuller that is 14 1/2 inches long, "blade etching in Tiffany high-grade style" and gold washed, "Sterling silver hilt guard, back strap and pommel gilt, eagle silver, Lion's-head with bear on quillon, Silver scabbard and mounts," and "mounts gilt." The silver scabbard is inscribed "TO Col. Jacob G. Frick./129th P.A. Vols. As a testimonial of the high/esteem in which his many Virtues as a/Commander and Citizen are held by the/Officers of his Command, Thanksgiving Day. Nov. 25th 1862. Camp near Falmouth, Va." between the suspension bands. The scabbard also features lightning and star motifs on the bands, oak leaves and acorns on the drag along with an "S" within a "U," and "TIFFANY & CO./QUALITY 925-1000/NY" on top on the back at the throat indicating it is sterling silver. The 32 inch lightly curved blade is nearly immaculate and features etched patriotic and floral etching backed by gold featuring detailed portraits of a soldier and his rifle-musket on the right and a color bearer on the left, "TIFFANY/& Co/N.Y." on the left above the ricasso, and "COLLINS & CO./HARTFORD/CONN/1862" on the left ricasso. The gilded silver basket hilt has a snarling mountain lion's head quillion, pierced and engraved scroll designs, and a patriotic eagle and shield motif. The grip is cast silver and has entwining lines along the front edge, ribbed main section, and oak leaves and acorns that coordinate with the drag engraved along the back. The pommel has a gilt dome with a gilded silver eagle perched on top, and a gold sword knot is tied around the knuckle guard. The case for the sword also contains colonel shoulder boards, a red sash, and a sword belt. Shortly after the Thanksgiving, Frick and the 129th were destined to see their first serious action during the Battle of Fredericksburg which is the origin of the second main item in this lot, the inscribed walking stick, as well as one of the battles that led to his Medal of Honor. Details of Frick's actions at Fredericksburg are recorded in "Deeds of Valor: How America's Heroes Won the Medal of Honor" by Beyer and Keydel. During the Battle of Fredericksburg, Colonel Frick's men were sent to charge Marye's Heights and suffered heavy losses. "Colonel Frick's loss was 143 out of the 500 men of the One hundred and twenty-ninth taken into action. He himself was hit by pieces of shell in the thigh and right ear. A shell from the batteries concentrating their fire on the charging column, struck a horse at his side and literally covered him with the flesh and blood of the slaughtered animal. At the critical point of this charge the color-bearer was shot down, but the colonel quickly seized the colors and took the lead. Shortly afterward the flagstaff was shot off in his hands, close to his head, and the flag fell drooping over his shoulders. But he steadily advanced, leading his men through the terrible fire." As detailed in the inscription on the head, that flag staff was used to make the walking stick in this lot. It has a German silver tip ferrule and a silver handle engraved with scroll patterns and "To Col. J.G. Frick, 129th Regt. Pa. Vols./Part of Flag Staff shot off in his hands while leading his Regiment in the final charge on the Rebel Works,/at the Battle of Fredericksburg Va. Dec. 13th 1862." inscribed around the band. The walking stick comes in a suede sleeve. The book also lists details of Frick's bravery in action at Chancellorsville, the second battle mentioned in his Medal of Honor citation. "At the battle of Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863, Colonel Frick, with the One hundred and twenty-ninth Pennsylvania Infantry, on the right of the brigade, occupied a conspicuous position, and was brought into action in the midst of the heaviest fighting. French's Division was on his left, but the nature of the ground was such that the colonel felt justified in occupying a more advanced position. Having held this position against superior numbers, until many of his men had fallen, and long after the troops that covered his right and left had retired, he discovered that the enemy had already passed his right flank and was gaining his rear. Then he retired in good order to the rear of the batteries, which had gotten into position, while his steady musketry held the enemy in check. He had retired none too soon, for the enemy fell upon him, captured his colors and a few prisoners, including his lieutenant-colonel. Colonel Frick quickly rallied his men, and, in a hand-to-hand fight, recaptured comrades and colors and brought to his rear as prisoners the very Confederates who had made the dash." The other sword was attributed by the consignor to have been Col. Frick's battle sword and is a mid-19th century officer's sword with a 31 3/4 inch straight blade decorated with floral and patriotic etching along with a Native American warrior on the right. The gilt brass hilt has raised floral patterns, and the antique ivory grip has carved lines in various patterns. The gilt brass scabbard has engraved scroll, starburst, and eagle and shield patterns. Given Frick's engagement in hand-to-hand combat, wounds in battle, and other exploits, the wear on this sword may well have been received at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville during his brave actions that led to his Medal of Honor presentation on June 7, 1892. The citation reads: "The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Colonel (Infantry) Jacob G. Frick, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 13 December 1862, while serving with 129th Pennsylvania Infantry, in action at Fredericksburg, Virginia. Colonel Frick seized the colors and led the command through a terrible fire of cannon and musketry. In a hand-to-hand fight at Chancellorsville, Virginia, on 3 May 1863, he recaptured the colors of his regiment." His regiment had 83 men killed in service, including three officers and thirty-seven enlisted men killed or mortally wounded in combat. They mustered out on May 18, 1863. Though no longer engaged in combat. Tragedy found Frick in 1864 when he lost his wife from complications during childbirth that February and then his infant son five months later. He was also called upon to advise on the mining operations that led to the Battle of the Crater at Petersburg in July 1864 and then lost another son late that year. He raised his remaining son William, worked in the screen business and as a deputy collector for the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, and later remarried and had more children in Pennsylvania where he died in 1902. In his obituary in the local Pottsville Republican, Governor Curtin is recorded as having written, "Col. Frick is every inch a soldier, a rigid disciplinarian, an efficient and worthy officer. His conduct on the battlefields at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville was characterized by coolness and courage that plainly showed his capacity to manage a large crowd."

The Tiffany & Co. sword and scabbard are excellent overall. The sword has minimal storage related wear including some slight fading of the gilt finish on the lion's head and eagle, natural aged patina on the silver, and minimal light handling wear on the blade. The scabbard has untouched, original, attractively aged patina, slight fading, a few light scratches, a couple minor dings, crisp designs, and excellent inscription. The case is good and has an absent lid escutcheon, detached but included lock, some chips and cracks, and moderate age related wear. The sash, shoulder boards, and sword belt are very good with mild age and storage related wear. The second sword is more well-worn and remains fine and has gray patina and mild pitting along the blade which retains distinct etching, most of the original gilding remaining on the hilt, absent chain guard, and large chips out of the grip. The scabbard is also fine and has 20% of the original gold remaining, crisp engraving, and mild scrapes and dings. The walking stick is very fine and has mild wear on the shaft, attractive aged patina and some minor dents on the silver handle, crisp engraving, and distinct inscription. Overall, this is an incredible set that would be an outstanding addition to any museum or private collection thanks to the overall quality and historical significance of the individual pieces and the overall set.