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Union Cavalry Saber and Scabbard

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:6,000.00 - 8,000.00 USD
Union Cavalry Saber and Scabbard

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Auction Date:2015 Oct 14 @ 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
Sought-after imported transition Model 1840/60 sword manufactured by the W. Clauberg firm of Solingen, Prussia, identified to First Lieutenant John V. Bedell of Company ‘K’ in the 2nd New York Mounted Rifles. The campaign-grade saber is a fine original edged weapon that features an embellished brass hilt and a handsome, slightly curved, high quality 34? long steel blade, with a width of 1 1/8?, a 25? long stopped fuller, and 15? narrow fuller. The typical ‘Clauberg, Standing Knight’ maker’s mark is found on the reverse ricasso and features the name “W. Clauberg, Solingen” lightly stamped above and below the figure. Blade flats exhibit a light, dusky gray satin finish with a mottled appearance from scattered areas of oxidation; handsome blade is free of edge nicks and has a smooth surface with minimum floral and military motifs. Obverse ricasso is plain with a floral display above and a central spread-winged eagle flanked with small geometric designs; reverse is the same but for block letters, “U. S.,” in place of the eagle. Blade etching is worn and smooth. The embellished, cast brass hilt is typical of most Solingen-made M1840 cavalry officers’ sabers, with a symmetrical two-branch guard integrated into the knucklebow, hilt displaying the acanthus fan on the inside quillon, cast laurel leaf on both upper branches, and an ornate foliate design at the junction of knucklebow and pommel. Retains the original leather washer and grips are very good with the typical M1840 grooved wooden handle, cord wrapped and covered with charcoal gray sharkskin. A fine, double-twist, brass gilded wire rests within the grooves with each turn flanked by two strands of brass gilded wire. The Phygerian-style brass pommel cap has a high dome tang with a peened blade tang; casting detail is worn. Scabbard is original and exhibits a pleasing, dark plum-gray patina, and is finished with brass furniture having nicely scalloped edges. Also includes eight letters from Bedell written home to his family during the war, as well as an unusually large 6 x 6.5 period albumen photo of Bedell in uniform and holding this very sword, matted and framed to an overall size of 12 x 14.5. Accompanied by a comprehensive photocopied packet of Bedell’s military records.

John V. Bedell was just nineteen years old when he enlisted as a private in the New York Mounted Rifles on September 18, 1863, and earned a promotion to lieutenant only five months later. He fought with the regiment until being seriously wounded—a gunshot to the head—in June 1864 at Petersburg, Virginia. He was discharged and sent home to Buffalo to recuperate but never recovered, dying from his wounds on July 8, 1864.