OFFICER’S SWORD, OFFICER’S SLOUCH HAT, AND OTHER EFFECTS OF COL. JOSHUA M. VARIAN.

OFFICER’S SWORD, OFFICER’S SLOUCH HAT, AND OTHER EFFECTS OF COL. JOSHUA M. VARIAN. This is an interesting and fine grouping of items belonging to Col. Joshua M. Varian who served in the New York 8th National Guard, which included Varian’s Light Artillery Company of which Joshua Varian was originally Capt. and later Col. Varian’s New York State Militia Light Artillery Company was the artillery company of the 8th New York Militia Infantry. This regiment in pre-Civil War days was known as the Washington Grays. The artillery company, in turn, was nicknamed the First Troop Washington Grays. This designation was dropped at the start of the war when their uniforms were changed to conform to the federal Blue. All of the unit’s members were from New York City and most of the officer cadre were from well to do families. The unit was called to active duty three times from 1861 to 1863. The first time was April 19, 1861 for a period of 90 days. During this period the company was known as Joshua M. Varian’s Artillery and also Varian’s Battery. This unit was involved in the First Battle of Manassas. After the First Battle of Manassas in August 1861, Varian’s Battery was disbanded, Varian was subsequently promoted to Colonel and attached to the staff of the 8th National Guard. The 8th National Guard saw service in defense of Washington DC. During Lee’s invasion into Pennsylvania the 8th National Guard saw action in small engagements near Shippenburg, PA, June 23, 1863, Sporting Hill, PA, June 30, 1863, and Carlisle, PA, July 1, 1863. This grouping consists of a model 1850 Ames Staff and Field Officer’s sword. Sword is maker marked “Ames Mfg. Co., Chicopee, Mass”. Blade exhibits 20″ etched panels with typical patriotic motifs. Blade is gray/black with scattered staining and pitting. Blade retains some original frost. Shark skin grip is intact though worn through at high places. Typical crack is visible where shark skin has separated, wire wrap is complete. Scabbard mounts and hilt retain about half of their original gilting. Officer’s slouch hat has a 3/8″ sewn edge. Hat retains an orig feather and button rosette sewn directly to hat. 3″ embroidered artillery insignia decorates front of hat. In place of Jeff Davis hat pin is a New York State seal device, also embroidered in bullion. Both hat insignias are correct for the era with metal backs. The New York State seal devise is missing the upper loop and directly sewn to hat. Officer’s hat band is retained. Sweatband is missing, though stitching mostly remains. Since Varian was in the Artillery just a short time we can guess this was his hat used at First Manassas is in beautiful condition, showing little wear and minor damage to sewn edge and insignia. This officer’s “Burnside” or slouch hat would fit nicely into the most advanced Civil War headgear collection. Also included in this group is a fine pair of Patent Eagle Head spurs. Locking devices are marked “Sheldon”. Spurs have iron rowels and heavily gilted with the majority of the gilt remaining. There is a cased pair of Colonel epaulets. Epaulets are in very good condition with silver eagle embroidered devices. Stitching coming loose on back of left epaulet, otherwise very good. There is also a pair of tie down Colonel straps about 4″ x 1-3/8″. These shoulder straps have embroidered silver eagles on black velvet background which would be correct for Col. Varian being a Colonel of Staff. A red silk Officer’s sash which is about 8′ long is also included. This style of sash is generally thought of being pre-Civil War without the heavy knots of Civil War sashes with simpler silk tassels. There are also two pairs of kid gloves, possibly for dress use. Gloves like these are rarely seen in military groupings. CONDITION: As noted above. 4-35318 JS14 (20,000-30,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2008

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
	2432	$0.00	OFFICER’S SWORD, OFFICER’S SLOUCH HAT, AND OTHER EFFECTS OF COL. JOSHUA M. VARIAN. This is an interesting and fine grouping of items belonging to Col. Joshua M. Varian who served in the New York 8th National Guard, which included Varian’s Light Artillery Company of which Joshua Varian was originally Capt. and later Col. Varian’s New York State Militia Light Artillery Company was the artillery company of the 8th New York Militia Infantry. This regiment in pre-Civil War days was known as the Washington Grays. The artillery company, in turn, was nicknamed the First Troop Washington Grays. This designation was dropped at the start of the war when their uniforms were changed to conform to the federal Blue. All of the unit’s members were from New York City and most of the officer cadre were from well to do families. The unit was called to active duty three times from 1861 to 1863. The first time was April 19, 1861 for a period of 90 days. During this period the company was known as Joshua M. Varian’s Artillery and also Varian’s Battery. This unit was involved in the First Battle of Manassas. After the First Battle of Manassas in August 1861, Varian’s Battery was disbanded, Varian was subsequently promoted to Colonel and attached to the staff of the 8th National Guard. The 8th National Guard saw service in defense of Washington DC. During Lee’s invasion into Pennsylvania the 8th National Guard saw action in small engagements near Shippenburg, PA, June 23, 1863, Sporting Hill, PA, June 30, 1863, and Carlisle, PA, July 1, 1863. This grouping consists of a model 1850 Ames Staff and Field Officer’s sword. Sword is maker marked “Ames Mfg. Co., Chicopee, Mass”. Blade exhibits 20″ etched panels with typical patriotic motifs. Blade is gray/black with scattered staining and pitting. Blade retains some original frost. Shark skin grip is intact though worn through at high places. Typical crack is visible where shark skin has separated, wire wrap is complete. Scabbard mounts and hilt retain about half of their original gilting. Officer’s slouch hat has a 3/8″ sewn edge. Hat retains an orig feather and button rosette sewn directly to hat. 3″ embroidered artillery insignia decorates front of hat. In place of Jeff Davis hat pin is a New York State seal device, also embroidered in bullion. Both hat insignias are correct for the era with metal backs. The New York State seal devise is missing the upper loop and directly sewn to hat. Officer’s hat band is retained. Sweatband is missing, though stitching mostly remains. Since Varian was in the Artillery just a short time we can guess this was his hat used at First Manassas is in beautiful condition, showing little wear and minor damage to sewn edge and insignia. This officer’s “Burnside” or slouch hat would fit nicely into the most advanced Civil War headgear collection. Also included in this group is a fine pair of Patent Eagle Head spurs. Locking devices are marked “Sheldon”. Spurs have iron rowels and heavily gilted with the majority of the gilt remaining. There is a cased pair of Colonel epaulets. Epaulets are in very good condition with silver eagle embroidered devices. Stitching coming loose on back of left epaulet, otherwise very good. There is also a pair of tie down Colonel straps about 4″ x 1-3/8″. These shoulder straps have embroidered silver eagles on black velvet background which would be correct for Col. Varian being a Colonel of Staff. A red silk Officer’s sash which is about 8′ long is also included. This style of sash is generally thought of being pre-Civil War without the heavy knots of Civil War sashes with simpler silk tassels. There are also two pairs of kid gloves, possibly for dress use. Gloves like these are rarely seen in military groupings. CONDITION: As noted above. 4-35318 JS14 (20,000-30,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2008 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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