RAREST OF ALL CIVIL WAR STATUE HILTED SWORDS, WORN BY BRIG. GENERAL JAMES HASKIN.

Revised: 9/29/2012

Correction: This rare and important sword is inscribed to Joseph Haskin, not James. (James was Joseph’s brother)

RAREST OF ALL CIVIL WAR STATUE HILTED SWORDS, WORN BY BRIG. GENERAL JAMES HASKIN. This fabulous sword has a full figured American officer thrusting a saber through the open mouth of a serpent (representing the Confederacy) forming the grip and knucklebow of this most elaborate Schuyler, Hartley & Graham, New York presentation sword. This sword is illustrated in Schuyler, Hartley & Graham’s 1864 catalog and is pictured on back cover of dust jacket in the Flayderman reprint of this important and rare catalog. Included with the sword are two Presidential commissions, one signed by Abraham Lincoln as Major and one signed by Andrew Johnson as Brig. General. A large 16″ albumen photograph of General Haskin and his staff accompany this sword which was presented to Haskin in April 1864. The 1st Maine Artillery was organized as Infantry late in 1863, seeing little action as Artillery early in the war. The 1st Maine Heavy Artillery would make up for seeing little action as it would be involved in several of the bloodiest attacks of the war. On May 19,1864 at the Harris Farm the 1st Maine had 481 casualties of which 82 were killed. In less than a month, on June 18, 1864, in the assault on Petersburg near Hare’s House the 1st Maine lead the charge and sustained the greatest loss of any one regiment in any one action of the war. Of the 900 engaged 635 were killed or wounded. Of all the regiments in the United States Army in the Civil War the 1st Maine Heavy Artillery sustained the greatest loss in battle, 23 officers and 400 enlisted men were killed, and 260 died of disease; a total loss of 683 dying during the war. Haskin lost his arm but survived the war. In the photograph of him and his men he is seen with an empty left shirt sleeve. This is one of only two example of this sword to ever surface and the only one other is known in private collections also presented to General Officer. PROVENANCE: Kevin Hoffman Collection. CONDITION: Sword is in very good to fine condition. 32″ blade is damascene with gold highlighted etched panels of spread wing American eagle and foliate U.S. with motto “Always Ready”. Retailer marking of Schuyler, Hartley & Graham New York is etched on ricasso. Guard and scabbard mounts retain much gold gilt. Scabbard body is bright as polished with several small bends and dents and scattered scratches, as can be seen in photos. There is a separation with loss of plating at point of sword entering sea serpent’s mouth which appears to be part of manufacture and not a defect. There are small areas of scuffing on hilt on high areas, exposing polished brass. 4-46908 JS76 (90,000-110,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2012

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2006	$109,250.00	Revised: 9/29/2012 Correction: This rare and important sword is inscribed to Joseph Haskin, not James. (James was Joseph’s brother) RAREST OF ALL CIVIL WAR STATUE HILTED SWORDS, WORN BY BRIG. GENERAL JAMES HASKIN. This fabulous sword has a full figured American officer thrusting a saber through the open mouth of a serpent (representing the Confederacy) forming the grip and knucklebow of this most elaborate Schuyler, Hartley & Graham, New York presentation sword. This sword is illustrated in Schuyler, Hartley & Graham’s 1864 catalog and is pictured on back cover of dust jacket in the Flayderman reprint of this important and rare catalog. Included with the sword are two Presidential commissions, one signed by Abraham Lincoln as Major and one signed by Andrew Johnson as Brig. General. A large 16″ albumen photograph of General Haskin and his staff accompany this sword which was presented to Haskin in April 1864. The 1st Maine Artillery was organized as Infantry late in 1863, seeing little action as Artillery early in the war. The 1st Maine Heavy Artillery would make up for seeing little action as it would be involved in several of the bloodiest attacks of the war. On May 19,1864 at the Harris Farm the 1st Maine had 481 casualties of which 82 were killed. In less than a month, on June 18, 1864, in the assault on Petersburg near Hare’s House the 1st Maine lead the charge and sustained the greatest loss of any one regiment in any one action of the war. Of the 900 engaged 635 were killed or wounded. Of all the regiments in the United States Army in the Civil War the 1st Maine Heavy Artillery sustained the greatest loss in battle, 23 officers and 400 enlisted men were killed, and 260 died of disease; a total loss of 683 dying during the war. Haskin lost his arm but survived the war. In the photograph of him and his men he is seen with an empty left shirt sleeve. This is one of only two example of this sword to ever surface and the only one other is known in private collections also presented to General Officer. PROVENANCE: Kevin Hoffman Collection. CONDITION: Sword is in very good to fine condition. 32″ blade is damascene with gold highlighted etched panels of spread wing American eagle and foliate U.S. with motto “Always Ready”. Retailer marking of Schuyler, Hartley & Graham New York is etched on ricasso. Guard and scabbard mounts retain much gold gilt. Scabbard body is bright as polished with several small bends and dents and scattered scratches, as can be seen in photos. There is a separation with loss of plating at point of sword entering sea serpent’s mouth which appears to be part of manufacture and not a defect. There are small areas of scuffing on hilt on high areas, exposing polished brass. 4-46908 JS76 (90,000-110,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2012 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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