UNIQUE HIGH GRADE OFFICER’S SWORD OF BVT. BRIG. GENERAL CHARLES NORTON, 39TH NEW YORK.

UNIQUE HIGH GRADE OFFICER’S SWORD OF BVT. BRIG. GENERAL CHARLES NORTON, 39TH NEW YORK. This unique sword is in wonderful condition and may be the only Civil War American Officer’s sword made in Sweden. This sword is pictured in David Stroud’s “Inscribed Union Swords, 1861-1865”. Col. Norton was Quartermaster in two New York regiments while on the staff of General Fitz John Porter from June 6, 1861 to January 6, 1863. There are several articles written concerning this sword and copies accompany. This sword exhibits a Damascus blade with gold decoration including a 5″ panel with Norton’s signature in gold. This signature is identical to his facsimile signature found on Civil War documents contained in accompanying archive. According to an article from the September/October 1994 “Association of American Sword Collectors” by Lee Garigliano, this pattern sword follows the Swedish infantry model pattern of 1859. However, the designs cast in relief into branches, backstrap and scabbard mounts are purely “Nordic animal style” and can be seen in Viking art well over a thousand years ago. Norton’s monogram “CBN” is also cut in relief in lozenge in knucklebow. The formed sharkskin grip is not seen in American swords. This is a very high quality sword, worthy of the finest American makers or finest retailers. We are not sure of Norton’s Swedish connections however he did travel to Europe for the War Department after the Civil War and compiled a report on war munitions exhibited in Paris, among others. Based on the maker’s mark “JOH. SVENGREN/ESKILSTUNA”, Johan Svengren’s business, which according to the Garigliano article was not formed until 1868, which probably dates this sword from that date when Norton was in Europe, but we can not preclude that this is a war time sword as purported in several of the articles. Regardless, it is a stunning “piece of art” in the very finest condition. CONDITION: Very good to fine overall. Brass hilt, backstrap and scabbard mounts retain much of their orig gold wash. Grip is excellent, being intact and apparently made from shaping, sanding and polishing sharkskin. 31″ Damascus blade has two gold panels, one showing General Norton’s signature and the second showing a panoply of arms beneath geometric and floral decorations. Iron scabbard body is smooth with scattered staining and light scratches, as is iron drag which contain small amounts of orig gilt. Accompanying sword hanger chains are probably 20th Century and overall very good with about half their orig gilt. 4-46075 JS45 (10,000-15,000)

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
	2026	$0.00	UNIQUE HIGH GRADE OFFICER’S SWORD OF BVT. BRIG. GENERAL CHARLES NORTON, 39TH NEW YORK. This unique sword is in wonderful condition and may be the only Civil War American Officer’s sword made in Sweden. This sword is pictured in David Stroud’s “Inscribed Union Swords, 1861-1865”. Col. Norton was Quartermaster in two New York regiments while on the staff of General Fitz John Porter from June 6, 1861 to January 6, 1863. There are several articles written concerning this sword and copies accompany. This sword exhibits a Damascus blade with gold decoration including a 5″ panel with Norton’s signature in gold. This signature is identical to his facsimile signature found on Civil War documents contained in accompanying archive. According to an article from the September/October 1994 “Association of American Sword Collectors” by Lee Garigliano, this pattern sword follows the Swedish infantry model pattern of 1859. However, the designs cast in relief into branches, backstrap and scabbard mounts are purely “Nordic animal style” and can be seen in Viking art well over a thousand years ago. Norton’s monogram “CBN” is also cut in relief in lozenge in knucklebow. The formed sharkskin grip is not seen in American swords. This is a very high quality sword, worthy of the finest American makers or finest retailers. We are not sure of Norton’s Swedish connections however he did travel to Europe for the War Department after the Civil War and compiled a report on war munitions exhibited in Paris, among others. Based on the maker’s mark “JOH. SVENGREN/ESKILSTUNA”, Johan Svengren’s business, which according to the Garigliano article was not formed until 1868, which probably dates this sword from that date when Norton was in Europe, but we can not preclude that this is a war time sword as purported in several of the articles. Regardless, it is a stunning “piece of art” in the very finest condition. CONDITION: Very good to fine overall. Brass hilt, backstrap and scabbard mounts retain much of their orig gold wash. Grip is excellent, being intact and apparently made from shaping, sanding and polishing sharkskin. 31″ Damascus blade has two gold panels, one showing General Norton’s signature and the second showing a panoply of arms beneath geometric and floral decorations. Iron scabbard body is smooth with scattered staining and light scratches, as is iron drag which contain small amounts of orig gilt. Accompanying sword hanger chains are probably 20th Century and overall very good with about half their orig gilt. 4-46075 JS45 (10,000-15,000) 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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