NOT SOLD (BIDDING OVER)
0.00USD+ applicable fees & taxes.
This item WAS NOT SOLD. Auction date was 2005 Mar 15 @ 10:00UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT
IMPORTANT CIVIL WAR TIFFANY & CO. HIGH GRADE INSCRIBED FIELD PRESENTATION SWORD TO THE COLONEL OF THE 3RD MINNESOTA VOLUNTEERS. A spectacular presentation grade, non-regulation staff and field officer’s sword made by Tiffany & Company, New York. The sword is a fancy adaptation of the regulation Model 1850 Staff & Field Officer’s sword. The single branch hilt is cast and gold washed in high relief having laurel leaf counterguard filled with furled flags, swords and a Roman fasces with a central disk with “US”, the “S” being inset within the letter “U.” The quillion forms a large lion’s head and the clam shell rear counterguard is inscribed as follows: Presented to/Henry C. Lester/Col. Comd’g IIIrd REGM’T Minn. Vol. by the LINE OFFICERS/of his Regiment in the field April 14, 1862/in token of their high regard and confidence. The knuckle bow is spiraled and terminates at the pommel. The pommel cap is a fanciful rendition of a Roman breastplate and skirt having a crested, engraved helmet resting upon the shoulders. The grip is of silver with double strand, twisted, silver wire. The 32” single edged straight blade is etched with military trophies and patriotic motifs over approximately 70% of its surface. The base of the blade is etched “Tiffany & Co. N. Y”. The blade was manufactured by Collins & Co. Hartford, Connecticut and is so marked on the ricasso. The opposite side of the ricasso is dated “1861”. The scabbard is of bright steel with very fancy cast brass and gold washed furniture. The mounts are deeply engraved with a lozenge motif. The reverse of the upper mount engraved “US” and the drag with a spread winged American eagle and an American shield. The ring mounts are heavily cast acanthus leaf wreaths. The top mount is engraved within a lozenge shaped panel H.C. Lester/Col. 3rd Reg’t/M.V. A separately applied gilt ribband is mounted atop the engraved panel that reads: “Tiffany & Co.”. According to my research, Colonel Lester was dishonorably dismissed from service on December 1, 1862 and thus, served slightly more than one year on active duty. The 3rd Minnesota Volunteers was organized at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, October 2 to November 14, 1861. They left the state for Louisville, Ky. November 17-20, 1861 and were attached to 16th Brigade, Army of the Ohio. They served at Camp Jenkins until December 6, and at Shepherdsville, Lebanon Junction and Belmont, Ky., guarding the Louisville & Nashville Railroad until March 1862. Thereafter they moved to Nashville, Tenn. March 11-24, and served there until April 27th. The regiment moved to Murfreesboro, Tenn. April 27, and performed garrison duty there until July. During Nathan Bedford Forrest's attack on Murfreesboro on July 13th. Colonel Lester made a serious tactical error by dividing his troops and allowed the regiment to be cornered forcing its surrender. His decision to surrender to the enemy would send he and the other officers of the 3rd to Libby Prison prior to their exchange. The Regiment was paroled and sent to Benton Barracks, Mo. (Company "C" being on detached duty was not captured). Accounts of this affair accompany the sword. Following the parole they joined 2nd Minnesota at Nashville, Tenn. and marched with it until September 30 when the 3rd left for Minnesota. They then marched to Fort Ridgly to join Sibley's Campaign against hostile Sioux Indians September 13-November 14 participating in the Battle of Wood Lake and Yellow Medicina. A detachment of this regiment marched from Fort Snelling to the relief of Fort Abercrombie on the Red River September 11-October 5 and then re-joined the regiment at Camp Release. Thereafter this unit performed garrison duty at Fort Snelling and was reorganized. Colonel Lester, four company commanders and their adjutants were dishonorably discharged at Ft. Snelling on December 1, 1862 for their loss of the regiment to confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest at Murfreesboro. This is a spectacular Tiffany sword with a presentation to an interesting Minnesota Colonel who, at one time, had earned the great respect of his officers. The sword is accompanied by the book Minnesota in the Civil War by Kenneth Carley (Minneapolis, 1961). CONDITION: Excellent. Sword is absolutely beautiful. Blade etching is very strong with much of the factory luster still remaining. Hilt and scabbard furniture retain about 80% of its gold wash. Bright steel scabbard is quite nice with one small push and very minor surface speckles here and there. A superb, rare and important Civil War presentation sword. 4-55030 (22,000-26,000)
Auction Location:
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Previewing Details:
Monday, March 14 9:00am-5:00pm
Tuesday, March 15 8:00-10:00am
Wednesday, March 16 8:00-10:00am
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