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

72271

LT. COL. S. E. VARNER COMMANDING VARNER’S

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:3,500.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
LT. COL. S. E. VARNER COMMANDING VARNER’S
<B>LT. COL. S. E. VARNER COMMANDING VARNER’S BATTALION FROM THE CITIZENS OF ALGIERS ORLEANS PARISH, LA. JULY 3D, 1864</B></I>. The inscription on the back of the top mount of this high grade Tiffany style presentation sword and scabbard reads<B> </B></I><B><I>Lt. Col. S.E. Varner Commanding Varner’s Battalion from the Citizens of Algiers Orleans Parish, LA. July 3D, 1864</B></I></B></I>. Sampson E. Varner was appointed major and mustered in with the 56th Ohio Infantry on November 29, 1861. He was appointed Lt. Col. May 6, 1863. Varner participated with the 56th Ohio in a number of engagements including Arkansas Post, Port Gibson, Vicksburg and the regiments move to New Orleans in August 1863. In February of 1864 Varner was transferred to the 83d Ohio Infantry and placed in command of a battalion, formed from several regiments, in Algiers Orleans Parish, which was designated Varner’s Battalion. He resigned his commission in November 1864 due to illness. Algiers was a suburb of New Orleans and had several shipyards and manufacturing establishments, with an aggregate burthen of 1285 tons in 1861. The sword is of a pattern and quality normally associated with Tiffany & Co. The brass hilt has floral and scroll decoration in the guard with the central motif of a tucked wing eagle with and shield on its breast. Knuckle bow with cast leaf and berry motif and very ornate pommel cap with a spread wing eagle, riband and shield on the face. Eagle head quillon and silver swirled grip. Overall very impressive. The 33” Clauberg Solingen blade is etched for 2/3 of its length employing floral/scroll work, panoplies of arms and the motto “Always Ready” on the obverse. Reverse with floral/scroll work, panoplies of arms, spread wing eagle and fancy intertwined US. The steel scabbard has large, heavy brass mounts with a full standing liberty and shield on the top, arms panoply in the middle and soldier brandishing a sword with an American flag on the bottom, all cast in deep relief. Scroll work on the heavy cast drag. All mounts are also chaised with rococo scroll work. Brass carrying rings. The inscription is on the back of the top mount. A very nice sword of superior quality and workmanship with an unusual inscription.<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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