PAIR OF U.S.MODEL 1850 STAFF & FIELD OFFICER’S SWORDS, COMMISSION AND EPHEMERA BELONGING TO ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL OF INFANTRY AND CAPTAIN THOMAS COLT, 37TH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY.

PAIR OF U.S.MODEL 1850 STAFF & FIELD OFFICER’S SWORDS, COMMISSION AND EPHEMERA BELONGING TO ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL OF INFANTRY AND CAPTAIN THOMAS COLT, 37TH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. A pair of Civil War period U.S. Model 1850 Staff & Field Officer’s swords worn and used by Thomas Colt, Captain and Assistant Adjutant General of Infantry in the 37th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. Colt had earlier served in the 10th Mass., was commissioned 1st Lieut. and then Captain in the 37th. The swords are accompanied by Colt’s U.S. commission signed by Edwin Stanton and President Andrew Johnson, the published history of the 37th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers by James L. Bowen (1884), a carte de visite photograph by Dewey of Capt. Colt in uniform, full standing studio view, signed “Yours truly, Thomas Colt, Capt. 37th Mass.” on the reverse and Colt’s sword belt and Model 1851 belt plate. CONDITION: The commission is very good with some fading to ink, the regimental history is good (Colt’s references are marked in ink), the sword belt is fragile and the waist belt plate excellent, now separated from the belt. Each sword has affixed a small brass plaque inscribed with the list of battles in which Captain Colt participated. The first sword, an import, has a slightly curved blade 31″ long with unstopped fuller. Etched panels include floral decoration, an American eagle and “U.S.” The hilt is regulation with an open work floral guard and “U.S.” fishskin wrapped grip with twisted brass wire. The scabbard is of steel with brass furniture. A small brass plaque is affixed between the ring mounts with period engraving: Fredericksburg/Marye’s Heights/Salem Heights. CONDITION: Good, the sword has seen significant use, the blade is gray, the very end of the tip snapped off and the hilt has been cleaned. The grip is strong but worn. The scabbard has several dents on the brass drag and the end of the drag is heavily worn. The second of the pair of swords was manufactured by Ames and is a standard regulation U.S. Model 1850 Staff & Field Officer’s sword. The blade is 32″ long with a single edge, stopped fuller and etched panels with war trophies, an eagle and “U.S.” The ricasso is signed “ Ames Mfg. Co./Chicopee Mass.” The hilt is regulation style with fishskin wrapped grip and twisted brass wire. The scabbard is a field type of iron with iron carrying rings. A brass plaque is affixed with the following engagements engraved: Gettysburg/Funkstown/Rappahannock Sta./Wilderness/Spotsylvania/North Anna Riv./Peak’s Station/Cold Harbor/Petersburg/Ream’s Station/Charlestown/Halltown/Winchester/Petersburg/Sailor’s Creek. CONDITION: This sword has also seen significant use. The blade is light gray, has been cleaned but the etching is visible. The hilt shows evidence of old brass cleaner, the grip is strong and the scabbard undented with a heavily worn drag. The battle listings are confirmed in Captain Colt’s war record. Captain Colt was a DISTANT relative of arms manufacturer Samuel Colt. His battles sound like a virtual record of the Army of the Potomac! 4-47496 CW (6,000-7,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2002

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
	1471	$10,062.50	PAIR OF U.S.MODEL 1850 STAFF & FIELD OFFICER’S SWORDS, COMMISSION AND EPHEMERA BELONGING TO ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL OF INFANTRY AND CAPTAIN THOMAS COLT, 37TH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY. A pair of Civil War period U.S. Model 1850 Staff & Field Officer’s swords worn and used by Thomas Colt, Captain and Assistant Adjutant General of Infantry in the 37th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. Colt had earlier served in the 10th Mass., was commissioned 1st Lieut. and then Captain in the 37th. The swords are accompanied by Colt’s U.S. commission signed by Edwin Stanton and President Andrew Johnson, the published history of the 37th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers by James L. Bowen (1884), a carte de visite photograph by Dewey of Capt. Colt in uniform, full standing studio view, signed “Yours truly, Thomas Colt, Capt. 37th Mass.” on the reverse and Colt’s sword belt and Model 1851 belt plate. CONDITION: The commission is very good with some fading to ink, the regimental history is good (Colt’s references are marked in ink), the sword belt is fragile and the waist belt plate excellent, now separated from the belt. Each sword has affixed a small brass plaque inscribed with the list of battles in which Captain Colt participated. The first sword, an import, has a slightly curved blade 31″ long with unstopped fuller. Etched panels include floral decoration, an American eagle and “U.S.” The hilt is regulation with an open work floral guard and “U.S.” fishskin wrapped grip with twisted brass wire. The scabbard is of steel with brass furniture. A small brass plaque is affixed between the ring mounts with period engraving: Fredericksburg/Marye’s Heights/Salem Heights. CONDITION: Good, the sword has seen significant use, the blade is gray, the very end of the tip snapped off and the hilt has been cleaned. The grip is strong but worn. The scabbard has several dents on the brass drag and the end of the drag is heavily worn. The second of the pair of swords was manufactured by Ames and is a standard regulation U.S. Model 1850 Staff & Field Officer’s sword. The blade is 32″ long with a single edge, stopped fuller and etched panels with war trophies, an eagle and “U.S.” The ricasso is signed “ Ames Mfg. Co./Chicopee Mass.” The hilt is regulation style with fishskin wrapped grip and twisted brass wire. The scabbard is a field type of iron with iron carrying rings. A brass plaque is affixed with the following engagements engraved: Gettysburg/Funkstown/Rappahannock Sta./Wilderness/Spotsylvania/North Anna Riv./Peak’s Station/Cold Harbor/Petersburg/Ream’s Station/Charlestown/Halltown/Winchester/Petersburg/Sailor’s Creek. CONDITION: This sword has also seen significant use. The blade is light gray, has been cleaned but the etching is visible. The hilt shows evidence of old brass cleaner, the grip is strong and the scabbard undented with a heavily worn drag. The battle listings are confirmed in Captain Colt’s war record. Captain Colt was a DISTANT relative of arms manufacturer Samuel Colt. His battles sound like a virtual record of the Army of the Potomac! 4-47496 CW (6,000-7,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2002 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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