Page 108 - Auction84-Book1

Extremely Rare and Desirable Civil War Era Items Associated with the State of Connecticut
Excepti
Guard - This beautiful s
LOT 216
onal Historic Silver Mounted Presentation Tiffany & Co./Collins & Co. Officer’s Sword with Eagle Pommel and Scabbard Inscribed to Captain R.B. Fairchild of the 8th Regiment of the Connecticut National word has a lightly curved 32 inch blade with a spread wing bald eagle and “E PLURIBUS UNUM” design with gilt background etched on the right side and “U.S.” along with “TIFFANY/& Co./ NEW YORK” etched on the left side also backed with gold along with the “COLLINS&CO/HARTFORD/CON/1862” maker’s mark and date on the left ricasso. It has a floral pattern brass hilt with nickel-silver grip engraved with coordinating floral patterns and a silver bald eagle pommel. The scabbard has a nickel body engraved with floral, classical, and patriotic designs highlighted with gold backgrounds; silver fittings with coordinating decoration, “TIFFANY & CO/NY” on the reverse, and “Presented to/Capt. R.B. Fairchild/by Co. B 8th Regt C.N.G./Oct. 15, 1868” inscribed between the suspension bands on the obverse. A trip to West Point by Company B of the 8th Regiment and Captain Fairchild is noted in “The United States Army and Navy Journal and Gazette of the Regular and Volunteer Forces” for 1867-1868 in an entry from July 25, 1868, that notes the excursion was to take place the next month. Robert Bruce Fairchild (1836-1878) was a member of the City Guard in Bridgeport at the beginning of the Civil War. During the war, he served in Company I of the 23rd Connecticut Infantry. In 1865, he was elected second lieutenant of Company B (Sedgwick Guards) of the 8th Connecticut National Guards and was elected captain the following year. In 1870, he was promoted to major in the 4th Regiment and then lieutenant colonel in 1873 and finally colonel in 1877. He was the author of “General Rules for Non-Commissioned Officers” published in 1873 and also was a partner in the clothing firm Sammis & Fairchild in Bridgeport. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine with attractive aged patina on the silver, attractive bright polish blade with distinct etching and most of the original gilt backgrounds remaining, minor age and storage related wear including some minor staining on the blade, light gilt finish backgrounds on the scabbard and hilt, a few dings on the scabbard body, and crisp presentation inscription. Estimate: 10,000 - 18,000
LOT 217
Scarce Civil War Sharps New Model 1859 Breech Loading “Egyptian Contract” Percussion Rifle-Musket Issued by the State of Connecticut with Bayonet - Serial no. 36955, 52 cal., 36 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This rifle matches the configuration of the aborted Egyptian contract rifles and falls within the correct serial number range (36000-40000) noted for the 600 rifles ordered by the Viceroy of Egypt through the American consul in Egypt in late 1859. These rifles are readily identifiable by their 36 inch barrels with saber bayonet lugs rather than the usual 30 inch barrels. These rifles were inspected by Major Thorton of the New York Arsenal in early 1861.
Collector’s Fact
Only 510 Sharps Model 1859 “Egyptian Contract” Rifle-Muskets were purchased by the State of Connecticut following Egypt’s default on payment.
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The Egyptians had not paid for the rifles, so they were offered for sale to the U.S. Ordnance Department and purchased by Captain Joseph R. Hawley of Hartford of Rifle Company A (90 rifles) and the State of Connecticut (510 rifles). They were issued to the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 8th, 11th, and 14th Connecticut Infantry Regiments. The barrel has a block mounted blade front sight, bayonet stud ahead of the forearm, the three-line Sharps address ahead of the Lawrence patent notch and ladder rear sight, and “NEW MODEL 1859” on top at the breech. The lock and frame have the standard Lawrence and Sharps patent markings. The serial number is marked on the upper tang. It has three barrel bands, a leather sling fitted to the swivels on the middle band and underside of the butt, an added nickel silver plaque on the left side of the wrist, and an iron patch box. “GDM” (George D. Moller) is stamped in small letters by the toe. The bayonet is has a 21 7/8 inch blade dated “1861” on the right ricasso and is marked “36701” in large numerals over a smaller number that appears to have been “38?37” on the back of the brass hilt. CONDITION: Good with the metal surfaces bright polished and exhibiting primarily silver-gray patina, some areas of light brown patina, and some light pitting. The markings are crisp on the frame and light on the barrel. The wood is very good and has a small patch of filler near the forend tip on the right, some erosion on the left by the breech, general light scratches and dings, and mild overall wear. Mechanically fine. The bayonet is very good with gray patina on the blade and aged patina on the brass hilt. The sling is also very good. This is a scarce Sharps rifle variation that will add variety and interest to any Civil War collection. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250