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HISTORIC CIVIL WAR PRESENTATION U.S. MODEL 1850 FOOT OFFICER'S SWORD OF HENRY HAMILTON WILSON. 31st

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:3,500.00 USD Estimated At:7,000.00 - 9,000.00 USD
HISTORIC CIVIL WAR PRESENTATION U.S. MODEL 1850 FOOT OFFICER'S SWORD OF HENRY HAMILTON WILSON. 31st
HISTORIC CIVIL WAR PRESENTATION U.S. MODEL 1850 FOOT OFFICER’S SWORD OF HENRY HAMILTON WILSON. 31st REGIMENT U.S.C.T., 104th REGIMENT U.S.C.T. AND SON OF HENRY WILSON-MASSACHUSETTS SENATOR, COMMANDER 22nd MASS. INFANTRY, AND VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES UNDER ULYSSES S. GRANT. A U.S. Regulation Model 1850 Foot Officer’s sword having a 33-1/2" lightly curved single edged blade of steel with etched designs over 3/4 of both faces. The designs contain military trophies, floral sprays “U.S." and a spread winged American eagle and shield. The ricasso is unmarked. The hilt is regulation style of cast brass, gold washed, the grip of wood covered with sharkskin and twisted brass wire wrap. The scabbard is of leather with brass furniture. On the front of the top scabbard mount is engraved Presented to/Henry H. Wilson/by/John G. Lyle, Ames marking on back. Young Henry Hamilton Wilson, the son of a very prominent politician and military figure attended a Massachusetts military academy followed by an unprosperous term at the U.S. Naval Academy. At age 17 he left the Academy and obtained a lieutenant’s commission with the 31st United States Colored Troops. This regiment was organized at Hart’s Island, N. Y., April 29, 1864. Their service included:-Campaign from the Rapidan to the James River, Va., guard trains of the Army of the Potomac through the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Siege operations against Petersburg and Richmond, Mine Explosion, Weldon Railroad, Fort Sedgwick, Hatcher’s Run, on the Bermuda front till March, 1865. Appomattox Campaign Pursuit of Lee, Appomattox Court House, Surrender of Lee and his army. Following the surrender, Henry Hamilton Wilson was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the 104th U.S.C.T. which was recruited at Beaufort, S.C. in June 1865 and served garrison duty at coastal forts until February 6, 1866. At the muster out of this unit, Henry received a second lieutenancy in the Regular Army and shipped west to Austin Texas only to die of appendicitis following his 20th birthday. CONDITION: Very good. The blade’s etching is strong, however, there are areas of discoloration and light surface rust spotted over 10-15% of the blade. The hilt and grip are fine with very dark untouched attic patina, the leather scabbard is very strong and the brass furniture retains a dark patina-uncleaned. 4-49444 CW