IMPORTANT CIVIL WAR STATUE GRIP PRESENTATION SWORD TO MAJOR GENERAL JOHN F. REYNOLDS KILLED AT BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG.

SN NSN. General John F. Reynolds was killed on the first day of the battle of Gettysburg July 1, 1863 and is by far the most famous highest ranking officer killed on this battlefield. A monument is erected on the spot where he fell. This early statuary grip is quite massive and very elegant in its sculpted design. The fully draped figure of liberty holding a wreath was utilized in later designs but this massive sword marked “W H Horstmann & Sons, Philadelphia” is among the first Civil War presentation statue grips. General Reynolds who was born in 1820 and graduated from West Point in 1841 had seen action in the Mexican War and was cited for gallantry at the Battles of Monterey and Buena Vista. Just prior to the war in 1860 after service in the west he was appointed Commandant at West Point. When the war began Reynolds who was a regular Army Lieutenant Colonel was appointed a Brigadier General of volunteers in August of 1861. On the date of the presentation of this sword, September 8, 1861 Reynolds took command of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corp. This sword was presented to him as the presentation reads, “By the officers of the 1st Brigade”. It is of interest that Reynolds did not officially accept this sword because the officers who gave it to him would be assessed as to their abilities by Reynolds and Reynolds felt acceptance of this gift would result in a conflict of interests, a conflict of influence and duty. It is interesting to note that the most famous Reynolds sword, a gem-mounted beauty on display at the National Park Museum at Gettysburg was not delivered until after his death; Reynolds never saw that sword was possibly unaware that it was even ordered by his men. This sword is a fabulous relic of the war presented to probably the most famous Union General killed during the American Civil War. Condition, aesthetics and history make this among the most important swords to ever come to auction. This sword has an impeccable line of provenance dating back to the famous Philip Medicus collection which was started prior to WW2. Mr. Medicus died in 1955. Francis Bannerman had photographed and described this sword in his 1949 catalog stating it was from the collection of Philip Medicus. Norm Flayderman bought the Medicus collection in 1956 which was the largest American sword collection that ever was assembled containing over 800 swords. In a May 14, 1956 edition of Life magazine details of the three most important swords in that collection were pictured, which of course included this sword. This sword is also pictured in American Swords from the Philip Medicus Collection (edited by Stewart Mowbry) 1998 and also pictured in Steel Canvas: The Art of American Arms by R. L. Wilson, 1995. Also pictured in August 1958 edition of True Magazine and pictured on the cover of that magazine along with photographs inside of an article entitled, Blades of Glory. Accompanying this lot is a copy of the history of the Pennsylvania Reserve Brigade and a large facsimile photograph of General Burnside and his staff along with General Reynolds. There is a large file of provenance included with this sword including all the mentioned references above. PROVENANCE: Ex Phillip Medicus Collection; Ex Norm Flayderman Collection. CONDITION: 31″ blade retains much of its orig finish though gold backgrounds of 16″ etched panels is now only present in traces. Blade exhibits light staining and small areas of pin-prick pitting. Orig protective washer is still present. Heavy raised relief castings of hilt, statuary grip and scabbard mounts have fine, yellow brass patina with highlights of orig gold wash present in protected areas. Iron scabbard body is sound and solid showing old cleaning, staining and pitting. 4-51334 JS18 (40,000-60,000) – Lot 3260

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Auction: Firearms - Fall 2014

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
	3260	$46,000.00	IMPORTANT CIVIL WAR STATUE GRIP PRESENTATION SWORD TO MAJOR GENERAL JOHN F. REYNOLDS KILLED AT BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG. SN NSN. General John F. Reynolds was killed on the first day of the battle of Gettysburg July 1, 1863 and is by far the most famous highest ranking officer killed on this battlefield. A monument is erected on the spot where he fell. This early statuary grip is quite massive and very elegant in its sculpted design. The fully draped figure of liberty holding a wreath was utilized in later designs but this massive sword marked “W H Horstmann & Sons, Philadelphia” is among the first Civil War presentation statue grips. General Reynolds who was born in 1820 and graduated from West Point in 1841 had seen action in the Mexican War and was cited for gallantry at the Battles of Monterey and Buena Vista. Just prior to the war in 1860 after service in the west he was appointed Commandant at West Point. When the war began Reynolds who was a regular Army Lieutenant Colonel was appointed a Brigadier General of volunteers in August of 1861. On the date of the presentation of this sword, September 8, 1861 Reynolds took command of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corp. This sword was presented to him as the presentation reads, “By the officers of the 1st Brigade”. It is of interest that Reynolds did not officially accept this sword because the officers who gave it to him would be assessed as to their abilities by Reynolds and Reynolds felt acceptance of this gift would result in a conflict of interests, a conflict of influence and duty. It is interesting to note that the most famous Reynolds sword, a gem-mounted beauty on display at the National Park Museum at Gettysburg was not delivered until after his death; Reynolds never saw that sword was possibly unaware that it was even ordered by his men. This sword is a fabulous relic of the war presented to probably the most famous Union General killed during the American Civil War. Condition, aesthetics and history make this among the most important swords to ever come to auction. This sword has an impeccable line of provenance dating back to the famous Philip Medicus collection which was started prior to WW2. Mr. Medicus died in 1955. Francis Bannerman had photographed and described this sword in his 1949 catalog stating it was from the collection of Philip Medicus. Norm Flayderman bought the Medicus collection in 1956 which was the largest American sword collection that ever was assembled containing over 800 swords. In a May 14, 1956 edition of Life magazine details of the three most important swords in that collection were pictured, which of course included this sword. This sword is also pictured in American Swords from the Philip Medicus Collection (edited by Stewart Mowbry) 1998 and also pictured in Steel Canvas: The Art of American Arms by R. L. Wilson, 1995. Also pictured in August 1958 edition of True Magazine and pictured on the cover of that magazine along with photographs inside of an article entitled, Blades of Glory. Accompanying this lot is a copy of the history of the Pennsylvania Reserve Brigade and a large facsimile photograph of General Burnside and his staff along with General Reynolds. There is a large file of provenance included with this sword including all the mentioned references above. PROVENANCE: Ex Phillip Medicus Collection; Ex Norm Flayderman Collection. CONDITION: 31″ blade retains much of its orig finish though gold backgrounds of 16″ etched panels is now only present in traces. Blade exhibits light staining and small areas of pin-prick pitting. Orig protective washer is still present. Heavy raised relief castings of hilt, statuary grip and scabbard mounts have fine, yellow brass patina with highlights of orig gold wash present in protected areas. Iron scabbard body is sound and solid showing old cleaning, staining and pitting. 4-51334 JS18 (40,000-60,000) – Lot 3260 Click here to view provenance Auction: Firearms - Fall 2014 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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IMPORTANT CIVIL WAR STATUE GRIP PRESENTATION SWORD TO MAJOR GENERAL JOHN F. REYNOLDS KILLED AT BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG.