3171

A HISTORIC CAPTURED UNION OFFICER'S SWORD WITH PR

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Knives, Swords & Blades Start Price:1,750.00 USD Estimated At:3,500.00 - 5,500.00 USD
A HISTORIC CAPTURED UNION OFFICER'S SWORD WITH PR
A HISTORIC CAPTURED UNION OFFICER'S SWORD WITH PRESENTATION TO AN OFFICER OF THE 1ST SOUTH CAROLINA VOLUNTEERS. The sword is a non-regulation US staff and field officer's sword having a 30-1/2 lightly curved, sgl edged blade with etching covering about 60% of its face. The sword is unsigned of European manufacture. The etching includes an American shield, eagle, and "US" surrounded by floral and military decorations. The hilt is of cast brass having a basket style hilt with a down turned wing American eagle perched on top an American shield set upon a stand of flags. The opposite counter guard is decorated with a circle having a pierced quatrefoil. The pommel has a band of oak leaves at its border. The grip is of wood covered in leather with triple strand brass wire wrap. The scabbard is of German silver with a brass throat, two ring mounts, and drag. Between the two sword mounts is inscribed, "Taken near Winchester, Va./Presented by/The members of Co. F/to 2nd Lt. Josiah Cox 1st S.C.V". CONDITION: Good. Blade has a dark gray patina, the surface of which has been cleaned. Etching is visible. Tip is deeply pitted. Remnants of old glue are present at the ricasso. Hilt is slightly loose. Grip is fine. Scabbard has numerous dents and dings with one large dent about 5" above the drag. The 1st S.C. Inf. was one of the regiments raised in S.C. to lay siege to Fort Sumter, after which they were sent to VA. By the spring of 1862, the enlistments of the first draft of men had expired. The unit was reorganized in the spring of 1862 combined with the Darlington Guards to become the Pee Dee Light Artillery. Lt. Josiah Cox is listed as the junior officer in Company F. The unit was under the command of Brigadier General Maxey Gregg and later C.W. McCreary. The Pee Dee Light Artillery fought throughout the eastern campaigns of the Army of Northern VA, most notably at Antietam, Fredericksburg, & Chancellorsville, and formed a unit of the Confederate artillery that opened the Battle of Gettysburg. Its rare indeed to find a union sword captured and presented to a Confederate officer. 4-57338 CW77 (3,500-5,500)"