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RARE AND HISTORIC TIFFANY PRESENTATION SWORD TO GETTYSBURG HERO AND MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT GENERAL

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:62,500.00 USD Estimated At:125,000.00 - 150,000.00 USD
RARE AND HISTORIC TIFFANY PRESENTATION SWORD TO GETTYSBURG HERO AND MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT GENERAL
Rarely are high grade presentation swords found that were presented to Medal of Honor winners prior to the event they won the award but Dan Sickles was already a celebrated soldier. This sword is in marvelous condition with a presentation that reads "Presented to Gen. Daniel E. Sickles. By his friends in New York. As a token of their confidence in his bravery, their appreciation of his indomitable perseverance in raising the "EXCELSIOR BRIGADE" U.S. Volunteers for the 'Suppression of Treason'. And for his gallantry at the battle of "FAIR OAKS" June 1st 1862". Sickles had a remarkable war time history, losing his leg at the battle of Gettysburg while disobeying orders and advancing his Corp to the "Peach Orchard" absorbing the full shock of Longstreet's assault before it could reach the ridge which would most likely have broken the Union line and possibly changed the outcome of the most important Civil War battle that changed the course of the war and American history. During the height of the Confederate attack, Sickles fell victim to a cannonball that mangled his right leg. He was carried by a detail of soldiers to the shade of the Trostle farmhouse, where a saddle strap was applied as a tourniquet. He ordered his aide, Major Harry Tremain, "Tell General Birney he must take command." As he was carried by stretcher to the III Corps hospital on the Taneytown Road, he bravely attempted to raise his soldiers' spirits by grinning and puffing on a cigar along the way. His leg was amputated that afternoon. He insisted on being transported back to Washington, D.C., which he reached on July 4, 1863, bringing some of the first news of the great Union victory, and starting a public relations campaign to ensure his version of the battle prevailed. On the afternoon of July 5, President Lincoln and his son, Tad, visited General Sickles, as he was recovering in Washington. Sickles had recent knowledge of a new directive from the Army Surgeon General to collect and forward "specimens of morbid anatomy ... together with projectiles and foreign bodies removed" to the newly founded Army Medical Museum in Washington, D.C. He preserved the bones from his leg and donated them to the museum in a small coffin-shaped box, along with a visiting card marked, "With the compliments of Major General D.E.S." For several years thereafter, he reportedly visited the limb on the anniversary of the amputation. The museum, now known as the National Museum of Health and Medicine, features the artifact on display still today. Sickles was certainly one of the most famous of all Civil War Generals. His reputation was gained by both admiral accomplishments and controversial actions. There is much controversy even today in the numerous books written about the battle of Gettysburg, but Sickles was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on that infamous day in July of 1863. Sickles had a very colorful career prior to and after the Civil War. Sickles was the first man to ever be acquitted in American history of murder on the grounds of temporary insanity. Sickles then a Congressman shot down Phillip Barton Key, the son of Francis Scott Key, the composer of the "Star Spangled Banner", in Lafayette Park across the street from Sickles home and the White House. Sickles had just discovered that his wife had been having an affair with Key and Sickles defense attorney Edwin Stanton (later Lincoln's secretary of war) gained the innovative verdict. Sickles forgave his wife and the public who had applauded his role in the shooting were outraged at the forgiveness for his wife which ended his political career just as the Civil War began, starting a new career of soldier for Daniel Sickles. Sickles is sometimes called the "patron saint" of Gettysburg as he enacted Legislation in 1890 to make Gettysburg a national park. Accompanying this lot is about 100 page 19th century notebook and scrapbook of A.H. Van Deusen concerning the battlefield park that descended with the sword. The sword exhibits a 6" spread eagle cross guard holding a shield with great detail of feathering gold-plated like is the full helmeted head that represents the pommel of this sword with rich detail including a dragon on either side of helmet. Solid brass scabbard has intricate floral decorated mounts also gold-plated in-suite to rest of sword. This is a fabulous sword in wonderful condition with a blade in mint condition with the highest grade of etching seen on Tiffany products. It has a 31" dbl edged blade is white/bright with 22" etched panels showing floral etched panels along with full standing soldiers of different eras including Roman soldier with short sword and shield, a Civil War soldier with sword and musket and a Revolutionary War era officer holding a raised sword with tint in background. Tiffany maker's mark is shown on a placard below crossed American flags and a patriotic eagle holding a laurel wreath in its beak. CONDITION: Brass scabbard, cross guard and pommel retain about 90% of their original gold plate. The spiral cut shark skin grip is complete and intact with a small separation where pieced together complete with finely twisted gold plated wire wrap. This is a truly important and historic sword made by the most notable jeweler in North America during the 19th & 20th centuries. A great opportunity. 8-76367 JS21