LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 December Civil War Auction #674  / 

72226

CSA NAVY BELT & BUCKLE, LT. LOWE CSS ALABAMA

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:50,000.00 USD Estimated At:65,000.00 - 75,000.00 USD
CSA NAVY BELT & BUCKLE, LT. LOWE CSS ALABAMA
<B>ULTRA RARE, ENGLISH MADE, TWO PIECE INTERLOCKING CONFEDERATE NAVY WAIST BELT PLATE ON THE ORIGINAL LEATHER THAT BELONGED TO LIEUTENANT JOHN LOW OF THE C.S.S. </B></I><B><I>ALABAMA</B></I></B></I><B>.</B></I> Accompanied by his English made, Isaac Campbell & CO. naval officer’s sword and <I>carte de visite</B></I>. Also included is the hand executed coat of arms and family tree detailing Low’s lineage.<BR> <BR>The 80mm X 54mm cast brass plate retains 98% of the original gilt on the face w/deep untouched patina on the back which was never gilded, exquisite workmanship. The tongue disc depicts two crossed cannons behind a fouled anchor. This Confederate naval motif surmounts the letters “C. N.”, the whole emerging in high relief from a stippled background. The design of the plate’s wreath is borrowed from the Great Seal of the Confederate States of America being composed primarily of tobacco and cotton plants and pays tribute to the South’s economic backbone. Both tongue and wreath are benchmarked with the number “3”. The plate is mounted on its original leather belt w/brass adjusting loop. An unusual feature of the belt is that instead of having a conventional flat sword suspension strap it utilizes a hanging cord composed of braided leather that terminates in a gilt brass snap swivel. A gilt brass suspension hook is also attached at the belt. The sword has a 27 ¼” blade etched with floral/scroll motifs, the English seal with motto on the obverse, and crown surmounting an anchor with floral/scroll motifs on the reverse. The reverse ricasso is brightly etched “Isaac/Campbell/7 Co. 21/St. James St.’London”, with the obverse ricasso incorporating a small inlaid brass disc marked “Proved”. All etching highlighted with hand engraved details. The firm of Isaac Campbell & Co. was formed in 1861 by Saul Isaac and his nephew Benjamin Hart of new York. They produced all types of military equipment during the Civil War which they supplied exclusively to the Confederacy. Standard English naval officer's sword of the period with the exception of the Isaac Campbell mark, which identifies this as a uniquely Confederate weapon. Brass hilt with lion head pommel, crown over anchor cast on the face of the cup like guard. The reverse counterguard folds down. Fishskin grip with double strand brass wire wrap. It is very likely that this is the sword that was originally furnished with the belt. The full standing <I>carte de visite </B></I>shows Low in his double breasted Confederate naval officer’s frock coat holding gloves in his hand and wearing an unidentified badge on his right breast. The image is backmarked by “The London School of Photography with various addresses. The family tree is beautifully hand painted on heavy paper, approximately 14” X 14 ½” (it has been archivally framed and mounted. Watercolor representation of the Low family coat of arms at upper left, the balance an exquisitely executed depiction of the Low family tree.<BR><BR>John Low (1836 - 1906) is variously reported as having been born in either England or Scotland. A sailor by trade, he was living in Savannah at the outbreak of the war and answered the South’s call to arms by enlisting in a Georgia cavalry regiment. Given his training, however, low was soon recruited for the fledgling Confederate navy and, on November 5, 1861, was commissioned a Master. During the course of the war Low would primarily serve aboard the CSS <I>Florida</B></I>, the CSS <I>Alabama</B></I> and the CSS <I>Tuscaloosa</B></I>. Low’s seamanship, having impresses Raphael Semmes of the <I>Alabama</B></I>, resulted in the young Brit turned Georgian being given command of the <I>Tuscaloosa</B></I> on June 21, 1863. No doubt this belt rig bore witness the much of the history of the short lived Confederate Navy.<BR><BR>A remarkably rare Confederate belt and buckle w/the added interest of being associated with the Confederacy’s most feared and notorious commerce raider, the CSS <I>Alabama</B></I>. <BR><BR><B>Condition</B></I>: The plate is in pristine untouched condition. The belt is also in wonderful condition with only very slight crazing to the finish and some wear on the edges. All stitching is tight and sound. The sword’s brass hilt retains traces of the original gilt in recessed areas, the balance a very nice dark untouched patina. Most of the blade is a dark gray with some scattered light pitting and a few small patches a bit heavier. Etching overall very good with the Isaac Campbell panel bright and crisp. The sword is completely untouched. The<I> carte de visite </B></I>is pristine. The coat of arms/family tree are perfect.<BR><BR><B>Provenance:</B></I> <I>The Tharpe Collection of American Military History</B></I><BR><BR><B>Exhibited:</B></I> <I>The Liberty Heritage Society Museum</B></I><BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Requires 3rd Party Shipping (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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