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Spanish-American War Model 1860 Staff & Field Presentation Sword

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:1,000.00 - 1,500.00 USD
Spanish-American War Model 1860 Staff & Field Presentation Sword

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Auction Date:2018 Mar 07 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Broken presentation sword given to Capt. William F. Meeks by his company, consisting of the hilt and forte section of the blade, measuring 17 1/4” overall. The remaining portion of the blade has a dark plum-brown patina with visible etched decorations and retailer's mark at the ricasso: “The Warnock Co., New York.” The hilt has a folding counterguard, single forward swept quillon, and urn-shaped pommel. The brass has an overall ruddy-brown patina with traces of the original gold finish remaining on protected areas. The grooved shagreen grip is in very good condition, with very little surface wear, but the braided wire wrap is missing. The metal scabbard retains 70–75% of the original nickel finish with mottled dark brown on the balance. The brass hanger bands, throat, and drag are in fine condition, and there is a gold filled, engraved presentation between the bands that reads: “Presented to Capt. Wm. F. Meeks by Co. I, 71st Reg't. N.Y.N.G. July 25th 1899.”

William Furman Meeks enrolled in a two-year enlistment on May 2, 1898, and mustered in as Captain of Co. I on May 10. He mustered out with the company on November 15, 1898, and served the remainder of his term in the quartermaster staff of the 26th US Volunteer Infantry. The 71st NY was one of the first volunteer regiments to muster for service against the Spanish and were among the units that were deployed at the Battle of San Juan Hill. Great controversy arose afterward concerning the conduct of the regiment during the battle, and only a few of its elements actually made it to the top of the San Juan Heights during the actual fighting, and then only due to the individual initiative of a few of the lower ranking officers. According to the regimental history, Capt. Meeks was one of these, and he led Co. I to the top without direct orders to do so (Teddy Roosevelt himself commented on the behavior of the regiment: ‘The greater part of the Seventy-First of their own free will took part in the storming of San Juan Hill, and showed that no matter how cowardly their officers might be, they were willing to obey their country's call’). After the return of the regiment to New York, recriminations were flung rather fiercely and it was not long afterwards that Capt. Meeks was court-martialed, along with another company commander, Capt. A. J. Bleeker, for leveling public charges of cowardice against the senior officers in command. Meeks and Bleeker were both found guilty, and received both reprimands and monetary fines, but were retained in the service. It is interesting to note, however, that the officers they had disparaged soon tendered their resignations. This is an extremely interesting US sword with a connection to a controversial volunteer officer, and would make a great addition to any collection.