HIGH GRADE PRESENTATION CAVALRY OFFICER’S SWORD TO MAJOR (AND LATER GENERAL) OLIVER B. KNOWLES.

HIGH GRADE PRESENTATION CAVALRY OFFICER’S SWORD TO MAJOR (AND LATER GENERAL) OLIVER B. KNOWLES. This high grade Cavalry Saber has a most unique guard decorated with high relief grape and grape leaf motif. Pommel is similarly decorated in relief with acorns and oak leaves. German silver scabbard is finely engraved with patriotic and floral motifs, including a 4″ standing Cavalryman holding flag with “U.S.C.” (United States Cavalry).Scabbard also has high relief ring mounts decorated with laurel leaves and berries. The cast grip is heavily silvered with unique design, almost modern abstract in its placement of long lozenge shaped planes on stippled background with chased rococo edging similar to what is seen on scabbard throat, drag and top of pommel. The two outside branches of guard are chased with a laurel and berry design emulating design on two sword mounts. An oval silver presentation plaque is framed and attached to scabbard which reads “PRESENTED BY THE LINE OFFICERS, 21ST PENNA. CAV. TO O.B. KNOWLES, MAJOR COMMANDING”. Oliver Knowles entered the war as a Private in July 1861 in the Lincoln Cavalry. He was promoted six times before receiving this sword as Major in August 1863 when the 21st Pennsylvania Cavalry was formed. This unit did not see action until Spring of 1864 when it became heavily involved in actions around Richmond and Petersburg. On March 29, 1865 the 21st had the advance against Petersburg near Amelia Springs and lost 98 out of 234 engaged in less than an hour’s fighting. Within two weeks the war would have ended but now Colonel Knowles’ regiment would have over 400 casualties in the final ten months of the war. Knowles was Breveted General in March 1865 for gallant and meritorious in these late campaigns of the war. Knowles died the following year in 1866. A file of provenance accompanies this sword. PROVENANCE: Pictured in John Thillmann “Civil War Cavalry & Artillery Sabers” page 485 and 486; pictured Kevin Hoffman “Swords of Honor & Regulation”; Kevin Hoffman Collection. CONDITION: Sword overall is in fine condition. The 34″ blade is bright with 16″ etched panels with patriotic motifs including a spread wing eagle with “E Pluribus Unum” in ribbon in his beak, crossed American flags over a patriotic Colombian shield, the motto “Union” and a large “US”. There are scattered areas of staining and pitting. Remnants of orig protective washer remain. Hilt retains 80-90% of orig gold wash. Scabbard mounts retain 30-40% orig gold wash. German silver scabbard retains about 50% of its silver plate and grips retains about 95% of its orig silver. Scabbard body has one dent about 1″ x 1/2″ just below middle ring mount. 4-46920 JS75 (15,000-20,000)

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
	2022	$0.00	HIGH GRADE PRESENTATION CAVALRY OFFICER’S SWORD TO MAJOR (AND LATER GENERAL) OLIVER B. KNOWLES. This high grade Cavalry Saber has a most unique guard decorated with high relief grape and grape leaf motif. Pommel is similarly decorated in relief with acorns and oak leaves. German silver scabbard is finely engraved with patriotic and floral motifs, including a 4″ standing Cavalryman holding flag with “U.S.C.” (United States Cavalry).Scabbard also has high relief ring mounts decorated with laurel leaves and berries. The cast grip is heavily silvered with unique design, almost modern abstract in its placement of long lozenge shaped planes on stippled background with chased rococo edging similar to what is seen on scabbard throat, drag and top of pommel. The two outside branches of guard are chased with a laurel and berry design emulating design on two sword mounts. An oval silver presentation plaque is framed and attached to scabbard which reads “PRESENTED BY THE LINE OFFICERS, 21ST PENNA. CAV. TO O.B. KNOWLES, MAJOR COMMANDING”. Oliver Knowles entered the war as a Private in July 1861 in the Lincoln Cavalry. He was promoted six times before receiving this sword as Major in August 1863 when the 21st Pennsylvania Cavalry was formed. This unit did not see action until Spring of 1864 when it became heavily involved in actions around Richmond and Petersburg. On March 29, 1865 the 21st had the advance against Petersburg near Amelia Springs and lost 98 out of 234 engaged in less than an hour’s fighting. Within two weeks the war would have ended but now Colonel Knowles’ regiment would have over 400 casualties in the final ten months of the war. Knowles was Breveted General in March 1865 for gallant and meritorious in these late campaigns of the war. Knowles died the following year in 1866. A file of provenance accompanies this sword. PROVENANCE: Pictured in John Thillmann “Civil War Cavalry & Artillery Sabers” page 485 and 486; pictured Kevin Hoffman “Swords of Honor & Regulation”; Kevin Hoffman Collection. CONDITION: Sword overall is in fine condition. The 34″ blade is bright with 16″ etched panels with patriotic motifs including a spread wing eagle with “E Pluribus Unum” in ribbon in his beak, crossed American flags over a patriotic Colombian shield, the motto “Union” and a large “US”. There are scattered areas of staining and pitting. Remnants of orig protective washer remain. Hilt retains 80-90% of orig gold wash. Scabbard mounts retain 30-40% orig gold wash. German silver scabbard retains about 50% of its silver plate and grips retains about 95% of its orig silver. Scabbard body has one dent about 1″ x 1/2″ just below middle ring mount. 4-46920 JS75 (15,000-20,000) 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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