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GENERAL WESLEY MERRITT'S PRESENTATION SWORD AND CIVIL WAR CAMP CHAIR.

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:5,000.00 USD Estimated At:10,000.00 - 20,000.00 USD
GENERAL WESLEY MERRITT'S PRESENTATION SWORD AND CIVIL WAR CAMP CHAIR.
This lot includes a high grade U.S. Staff and Field Officer's sword with silver grip, high relief mounts, jeweled pommel and gold highlighted blade. Also included is the only camp chair we have ever seen with a General's name on brass plaque on back; an 1885 inscribed artillery manual from when Merritt was commandant at West Point; also a biography of Merritt by Don Alberts Brandy Station to Manila Bay(number 18 of 25 special bound edition). This is a beautiful sword which presentation reads "BRIGADIER GENERAL WESLEY MERRITT, DECEMBER 25TH 1863 FROM HIS STAFF". Wesley Merritt had a long and illustrious military career spanning his graduation from West Point, Civil War service, Indian War service, and the Spanish American War. CONDITION: Sword is in very good to fine condition with 32" blade by Clauberg, and is agent marked "Hunt & Goodwin". Blade has etched panels of various military and patriot motifs including large panel that reads "PERSEVERE". Steel scabbard body is sound and solid with numerous small dings, dents and scratches and old cleaning. Top mount with presentation and middle mount both have elaborate relief cut-out designs and unusual twisted copper wire sword rings, as can be seen in photos. The drag, which also has relief decoration, has a similar fine stippled design along edge, as does throat. Spiral cut silver grip is very good with scattered small dings and dents, still complete with its triple wire wrap. Top stone in pommel cap is badly cracked but still intact. 16 small cabochons that circle crown of pommel are complete and intact. Hilt and pommel retain strong traces of gilt in protected areas, as can be seen in photos. Folding chair is sound and solid and functional with leather back and caning to seat. Signed book has water staining around top of spine and covers with some foxing, though book appears complete and intact and signature page is easily read. Special edition biography is like new in slip case. There is a circa 1900 cabinet card of Merritt in uniform also, which is in good condition with chipping at edges of card. There are also 5 framed large reproductions of photos of Merritt at various time in his career, all in good condition, that accompany lot. 4-47320 JS33