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U.S. Staff & Field Officer's Sword with Sheath Inscribed to Colonel (Later Major General) Alexander

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military / Long Guns - Rifles Start Price:1,700.00 USD Estimated At:3,500.00 - 6,500.00 USD
U.S. Staff & Field Officer's Sword with Sheath Inscribed to Colonel (Later Major General) Alexander
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U.S. Staff & Field Officer's Sword with Sheath Inscribed to Colonel (Later Major General) Alexander Shaler, Medal of Honor Winner and National Rifle Association President

Born in 1827 in Connecticut and raised in New York City, Alexander Shaler joined the New York Militia as a Private in 1848, and by 1860 had worked his way up to Major. Deploying briefly to the Defense of Washington, D.C. with the 7th Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry, Shaler became Lieutenant Colonel in the 65th New York, receiving the promotion to full Colonel in time to lead the 65th during the Second Battle of Fredericksburg, aka the Second Battle of Marye's Heights. During this battle, he personally took up the colors and led his men into the fortifications of General Jubal Early, earning the Medal of Honor. The unit would also see battle at Salem Church, Gettysburg, and the Overland Campaign, and Shaler personally would ascend to the rank of Brevet Major General, spend time commanding a Union prisoner of war camp, spent time as an inmate at Libby Prison following his capture at the Battle of the Wilderness, and then spent the remainder of the War in the Department of the Gulf. Following the War Shaler returned to New York, where he served as Commissioner of the Fire Department, Chairman of the Board of Health, President of the Soldiers' Business Messenger and Dispatch Company, President and Director of the National Rifle Association, and Mayor of Ridgefield, New Jersey. Shaler died in 1911 in New York City and was interred in Ridgefield. Measuring 39 inches overall, with a 33 inch curved double fuller blade with etched patriotic and martial decorations on each side. The hilt is gilt brass, with pierced-through floral and "US" designs on the guard, a wire wrapped rayskin grip and a laurel engraved pommel. Sheath is iron with brass fittings, showing scroll and patriotic engraving on the face of the tip and suspension bands, a floral design around the throat, and the inscription "Presented to/Col. Alexander Shaler/65th New York Infantry/Marye's Heights, Va./May 3rd 1863" on the reverse of the top suspension band. Included with the sword is some research material supplied by the consignor.

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Very good. The blade shows a gray patina overall, with mild spotting and well defined etching. The hilt shows traces of the original gilt finish, with a well aged color to the brass and mild handling marks overall. The sheath shows traces of a brown protective lacquer, with metal patina in-line with the sword. An attractive officer's edged weapon inscribed to a prominent figure of the Civil War and the National Rifle Association.