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Cased Civil War Presentation Sword of Colonel Thomas H. Ruge

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Militaria Start Price:7,000.00 USD Estimated At:10,000.00 - 15,000.00 USD
Cased Civil War Presentation Sword of Colonel Thomas H. Ruge
30.5" blade etched with military motifs, shagreen and brass wire wrapped handle, gold gilt knuckle bow with eagle flags and stars. Very fancy floral gold gilt design hilt and pommel. Gold gilt scabbard has cast fittings of floral ornament and inscribed between two bands Presented by the Officers of the 3rd Regmt. Wis. Vols. to their Col. Thos. H. Ruger Feb. 15th, 1862. Housed in a green leather-bound coffin-shaped case with original sash, sword belt with 1851 belt plate with silver wreaths, sword hanger and sword knot. Case is lined in blue velvet and the lid is white silk with an M.W. Galt Washington, D.C. label. Case is "French fitted" around the knuckle bow and handles, the rest of case is partitioned with compartments to hold the sash, belt and knot. Top exterior case lid with an inscription plaque with Col Thomas H. Ruger. Lot includes a cabinet card of the General. A fine sword symbolic of the confidence and trust expressed by the officers of the 3rd Wisconsin.


Condition: Case has darkened and has some scuffs and very light flaking of leather. Inside case the white silk lining in top of case lid has some stains and a tear caused by the hilt. The belt has some staining and is a little stiff. The scarlet sash is in excellent condition with one small stain. The sword knot is in excellent condition. The gold on the scabbard has tarnished on the exposed side and the other side has dulled. Gold on the fittings is bright. Blade has three small areas that were lightly cleaned to remove some storage rust. The entire group has a nice, uncleaned, attic look.