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The Fighting Ninth
LOT 234
Spectacular Schuyler, Hartley and Graham Deluxe Presentation Model 1850 Staff and Field Officer’s Sword with Silver Grip - NSN, gold plated/silver finish. Deluxe Civil War presentation Model 1850 Staff and Field Officer’s Sword with W. Clauberg blade. The scabbard is inscribed “Presented to/CAPT./J. COSTINE/BY the/Wolf Tone/Guards”. The sword has a regulation 31 1/2-inch nickel plated blade. The blade is decorated with an acid etched spread eagle clutching a ribbon inscribed “E PLURIBUS UNUM” and floral sprays on the obverse and “U.S.” surrounded by floral sprays on the reverse. The back of the blade is etched “IRON PROOF”. The reverse ricasso is stamped with the W. Clauberg trademark. The sword has no retailer’s markings but is similar to mid-grade presentation swords sold by Schuyler, Hartley and Graham and assembled with Clauberg blades and components. The non-regulation hilt has a fancy gold-plated three-branch knuckle guard
with “U.S.” entwined with floral decorations, fancy gold-plated pommel and fluted silver grip with cast leaf decorations.
The nickel-plated scabbard has pieced cast-brass gold-plated mountings. The upper carrying ring mount features a
highly detailed relief-cast Roman soldier with oval gorgoneion shield. The lower carrying ring mount has a stand of military flags and trophies surrounded by pierced scrollwork. The pierced drag is engraved with floral designs. While multiple militia units were known as the Wolf (or Wolfe) Tone Guards, named for Irish rebel and politician Theobald Wolfe Tone, notes from a previous owner attribute this sword to Company G of the Nineth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, aka The Fighting Ninth. Staffed mainly with Irish-Americans, the Ninth was a components of V Corps, Army of the Potomac, suffered heavy casualties at the Battles of Gaines Mill and Malvern Hill, participated in the Battles of Frederickburg and Chancellorsville, held the Big Round Top at Gettysburg , and fought in the Battle of The Wilderness and around Cold Harbor before mustering out on 24 June 1864.
CONDITION: Very fine. The hilt and scabbard mountings retain approximately 80% of the original gold-plated finish. The blade has nearly 90% of the nickel-plated finish with traces of flaking between the hilt and the central etchings. The nickel-plating on the scabbard has tarnished and shows traces of flaking. The highly detailed pieced scabbard mountings are very good. The inscription on the scabbard is crisp. The drag is missing the retaining screw, and there is a shallow dent in the lower portion of the scabbard. This is a very good example of a deluxe mid-grade W. Clauberg Model 1850 Staff and Field Officer’s Sword with presentation inscription.
Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000
LOT 235
Inscribed Cane with Cast Brass Cannon Handle Attributed to Colonel James West, Philadelphia City Troop Civil War Veteran - , 20 , bright finish. Cane with a miniature brass cannon handle that measures 4 1/8 inches long from the muzzle to the end of the knob and has an open vent with small bore measuring at .20 inches. “Col. James. West.” inscribed in script around the base of the cannon handle with roped borders. A June 26th, 1915 dated newspaper obituary lists a Civil War veteran Colonel James West of Philadelphia who passed away at age 76, which would put his birth date in the year
1839. He originally enlisted in the Philadelphia City Troop in 1861 and saw service throughout the entire war, including the Battle of Fort Pulaski and the Battle of Gettysburg. Shaft made of walnut. 1 3/8 inch German silver ferrule at the base. 34 3/4 inch total length.
CONDITION: Fine overall, attractive golden aged patina visible on the brass cannon handle, crisp inscription, and some light scratches and handling marks on the fine wood shaft.
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
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