HIGH GRADE AMES PRESENTATION INSCRIBED MILITIA OFFICER’S SWORD BELONGING TO CAPT. ALBERT KELSEY, MASSACHUSETTS AND WORN TO THE FUNERAL OF PRESIDENT JOHN QUINCY ADAMS AND ALSO WORN BY CAPT. JAMES C.M. UPTON DURING THE “ANTHONY BURNS RIOT”, 1855.

HIGH GRADE AMES PRESENTATION INSCRIBED MILITIA OFFICER’S SWORD BELONGING TO CAPT. ALBERT KELSEY, MASSACHUSETTS AND WORN TO THE FUNERAL OF PRESIDENT JOHN QUINCY ADAMS AND ALSO WORN BY CAPT. JAMES C.M. UPTON DURING THE “ANTHONY BURNS RIOT”, 1855. A sword with a story! This presentation grade Ames militia officer’s sword has three panels of engraving describing some very interesting incidents in the life of its owner Captain Albert Kelsey of Massachusetts and later owner Captain James C.M. Upton of Boston. The sword is a high grade militia officer’s type with a dbl edged and etched blade measuring 30-1/2″. The etched decoration is typical of Ames products with military trophies, eagle and central fuller. Hilt is of cast brass, gold washed with a foliated crossguard having two open triangular quillons and a shield shaped langet. Grip is covered with two panels of mother of pearl and the pommel is a knight’s head with fancy chain guard. Scabbard is of gold washed brass with engraving around the ring mounts and drag. The following inscriptions are engraved in three different panels: On the front face: The Sword was worn at the funeral/of PRESIDENT John Quincy Adams, by/CAPTAIN ALBERT H. KELSEY, who commanded/the military escort on that occasion./Company G of the first regiment of Massachusetts/Militia, better known as the WASHINGTON LIGHT GUARD/which volunteered for the MEXICAN WAR. The Sash worn by GEORGE WASHINGTON/on taking command of the AMERICAN ARMY, at Cambridge,/was presented to CAPT. A.H.KELSEY by COMMODORE JOSIAH STURGIS,/and stolen by some miscreant from its case in the armory/of the WASHINGTON LIGHT GUARD, over Quincy Market, Boston. On the reverse face: This Sword came into the possession of/CAPTAIN JAMES C.M. UPTON, of the same command who/wore it during the ANTHONY BURNS RIOT, in Boston, Mass. When/cayenne pepper was thrown upon his troop by the mob. The funeral of John Quincy Adams was held on February 26, 1848 and the Anthony Burns Riot occurred in February 1855 when escaped slave Anthony Burns was returned to Virginia under the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850. CONDITION: Very good. Blade is stained with surface rust overall but there are areas of bright etching. One panel of the mother of pearl grips has a sliver missing. Grip is loose. Sword retains approximately 70% of its gold wash. The gold finish has been removed from the inscription concerning Washington’s sash and has attained a dark patina. 4-47473 CW (6,500-7,500)

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
	1473	$8,337.50	HIGH GRADE AMES PRESENTATION INSCRIBED MILITIA OFFICER’S SWORD BELONGING TO CAPT. ALBERT KELSEY, MASSACHUSETTS AND WORN TO THE FUNERAL OF PRESIDENT JOHN QUINCY ADAMS AND ALSO WORN BY CAPT. JAMES C.M. UPTON DURING THE “ANTHONY BURNS RIOT”, 1855. A sword with a story! This presentation grade Ames militia officer’s sword has three panels of engraving describing some very interesting incidents in the life of its owner Captain Albert Kelsey of Massachusetts and later owner Captain James C.M. Upton of Boston. The sword is a high grade militia officer’s type with a dbl edged and etched blade measuring 30-1/2″. The etched decoration is typical of Ames products with military trophies, eagle and central fuller. Hilt is of cast brass, gold washed with a foliated crossguard having two open triangular quillons and a shield shaped langet. Grip is covered with two panels of mother of pearl and the pommel is a knight’s head with fancy chain guard. Scabbard is of gold washed brass with engraving around the ring mounts and drag. The following inscriptions are engraved in three different panels: On the front face: The Sword was worn at the funeral/of PRESIDENT John Quincy Adams, by/CAPTAIN ALBERT H. KELSEY, who commanded/the military escort on that occasion./Company G of the first regiment of Massachusetts/Militia, better known as the WASHINGTON LIGHT GUARD/which volunteered for the MEXICAN WAR. The Sash worn by GEORGE WASHINGTON/on taking command of the AMERICAN ARMY, at Cambridge,/was presented to CAPT. A.H.KELSEY by COMMODORE JOSIAH STURGIS,/and stolen by some miscreant from its case in the armory/of the WASHINGTON LIGHT GUARD, over Quincy Market, Boston. On the reverse face: This Sword came into the possession of/CAPTAIN JAMES C.M. UPTON, of the same command who/wore it during the ANTHONY BURNS RIOT, in Boston, Mass. When/cayenne pepper was thrown upon his troop by the mob. The funeral of John Quincy Adams was held on February 26, 1848 and the Anthony Burns Riot occurred in February 1855 when escaped slave Anthony Burns was returned to Virginia under the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850. CONDITION: Very good. Blade is stained with surface rust overall but there are areas of bright etching. One panel of the mother of pearl grips has a sliver missing. Grip is loose. Sword retains approximately 70% of its gold wash. The gold finish has been removed from the inscription concerning Washington’s sash and has attained a dark patina. 4-47473 CW (6,500-7,500) 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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