HISTORIC AMERICAN CIVIL WAR HIGH GRADE PRESENTATION SWORD, WAIST BELT AND PLATE OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL MARK FLANIGAN, 24TH MICHIGAN (IRON BRIGADE) INFANTRY BY TIFFANY AND COMPANY, NEW YORK.

HISTORIC AMERICAN CIVIL WAR HIGH GRADE PRESENTATION SWORD, WAIST BELT AND PLATE OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL MARK FLANIGAN, 24TH MICHIGAN (IRON BRIGADE) INFANTRY BY TIFFANY AND COMPANY, NEW YORK. One of the most historic presentation swords, with significant history related to The Battle of Gettysburg, to be offered for sale at public auction in a number of years. The 24th Michigan Infantry of the famous “Iron Brigade” is one of the most fabled and hardest fought units of the American Civil War and Lt. Colonel Mark Flanigan, formerly the sheriff of Wayne County, Michigan, one of its most valiant and colorful characters. The sword is a high grade presentation non-regulation staff and field officer’s sword from Tiffany & Co., New York. The blade is single edged with a quill back, slightly curved with three fullers running approximately down 60% of each face. The flat panels have an etched design of a spread winged American eagle within a floral panel on one side and a fancy “U.S.” with a floral panel on the other. At the ricasso is stamped “Tiffany & Co./New York.” On the reverse ricasso is stamped the legend “Warranted to cut wrought iron.” The hilt is of gold and silver-plated cast brass with a flat counterguard cast heavily in relief with laurel leaf designs, a miniature sword hilt, furled flags and a circle with “US” set within. The “US” is unusual having the “S” set within the “U.” The oversized quillion is a lion’s head. The single knuckle bow is silver-plate with a twisted cord effect. The pommel cap is backwardly bending full breastplate of Roman armor, complete with skirt and cape, with crested helmet surmounting. The grip is of fine silver with triple twisted silver wire wrap. The scabbard is of gold plated steel, heavily engraved with American flags, Roman armor, weapons, trumpets and acanthus leaf. Just below the throat on the reverse side is a small ribband with “Tiffany & Co.” surmounting a small oval with an Old English “M” within. The throat is silver-plated brass. All three mounts are of silver-plated brass and are heavily engraved and cast in high relief. The ring mounts are raised laurel leaf with ribbon ties. The top mount has a beautifully engraved American eagle perched on the national shield, the middle mount is engraved with a repeating fan-like design and the drag engraved with scrolls, fans and an intertwined “U.S.” The engraved presentation is found on the reverse of the scabbard as follows: Presented to/Lieut. Col. Mark Flanigan/24th Mich. Inf’y/Sheriff Wayne Co. Mich./by his Deputies// Anson Waring/ Martin Lamb/ Jas. McKay/ C.C. Bird/ T.W. Ray/ Francis Hess/ Peter Dixon/ Herman Donstadt/ L.P. Durkee/ John Ochs/ W.Y. Rumney/ J.F. Starkweather/ J.J. Watts/ Seth Goodwin/ Thos. Funke/ Wm. Burke/ P.K. Morris/ Abijah Joy/ Wm. Ringwald PROV: This sword was originally part of the Philip Metacus Collection. We are told a full illustration of the sword is in the book The American Sword published by Man at Arms. Also full page illustration #350 in R.L. Wilson’s book “Steel Canvas”. Included are various photocopies of information relating to Flanigan and his sword. CONDITION: Very Fine. The blade retains much of its orig. armory finish with spotty surface rust at the ricasso and near the tip. The hilt shows light use and some light wear to gold and silver-plating. Hilt is tight. The scabbard is excellent with light surface scratching from normal wear. Neither the sword or the scabbard have been cleaned and retain a medium and attractive patina overall. Flanigan’s waist belt is of fancy red Russian leather, regulation style, having three horizontal bands of gilt wire decoration. The tongue of the belt is embossed in gold leaf “Evans & Hassall/ 418 Arch Street/ Phildela” in an oval. The waist belt plate is a cast brass and gilded U.S. Model 1851 officer’s eagle belt plate. The plate is cast in high relief and is stamped “Evans & Hassall. Phila.” on the narrow tongue. CONDITION: Very good, the leather is flexible, marking very readable, however, shows medium to heavy use. The edges of the belt and straps are scuffed and a bit discolored. Some stitching is loose with minor losses and fraying to the gilt wire decoration. Lieutenant Colonel Mark Flanigan was born in County Antrim, Ireland in 1825, but settled in Detroit, Michigan as a butcher prior to the war. Becoming a community leader he ran for the office of Sheriff of Wayne County and won in 1855. It is that position he held when he offered himself into the service of the United States and was commissioned Lt. Col. On August 15, 1862. The regimental history of the 24th Michigan written in 1962 by Donald L. Smith states that the Detroit Free Press of August 1862 records the presentation of this sword to Lt. Col. Flanigan by the deputies of Wayne County, Michigan (along with presentations to other officers) at a regimental ceremony just prior to leaving for war. The 24th Michigan Infantry of the Iron Brigade needs little introduction to Civil War students. Their service took them to Washington, D.C., Richmond, through the Battle of Fredericksburg, the “Mud March”, Chancellorsville Campaign, Gettysburg (the first infantry force to reach the field under Major General John Reynolds where the 24th Michigan lost over 80% of its men), Mine Run, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania (assault on the salient), Cold Harbor, Siege of Petersburg, and Weldon Railroad. The 24th Michigan was the regiment selected to be the escort of Lincoln’s funeral. Flanigan was conspicuous is his courage and leadership against the enemy in the Battle of Fredericksburg. The 24th faced their real baptism of fire there and were involved in the futile attempts to take Marye’s Heights. Flanigan would be recognized with a brevet promotion to Colonel (March 13, 1865) as a result of his gallantry. Flanigan’s real test of valor, however, came at the Battle of Gettyburg. Flanigan and the 24th Michigan advanced upon Gettysburg along with the 2nd and 7th Wisconsin, and 19th Indiana of the Iron Brigade under Major General John F. Reynolds. In front of C.S. General Archer’s Brigade, the 24th was on the extreme left during a gallant charge which swept over the hill, across Willoughby Run capturing most of the Brigade and General Archer himself. This was a great victory on the first day but not without cost. The 24th Michigan’s color bearer was killed, Adjutant Rexford severely wounded and Lt. Col. Mark Flanigan’s left leg shattered by a Confederate artillery shell. Flanigan would not recover enough from his wounds to continue on with his regiment. With his left leg amputated, Flanigan was honorably discharged on November 21, 1863. In honor of his services and valor Flanigan was subsequently honored with a brevet promotion to Brigadier General on March 13, 1865 “for meritorious conduct in the Battle of Gettysburg, and for services in that engagement.” Flanigan returned to Detroit, took up occupation as an official for the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and passed away on October 4, 1886. He is buried in an unmarked grave in Elmwood Cemetery, Detroit, Michigan (Section D, lot 66). 4-45188 CW (50,000-75,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 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
	634	$40,250.00	HISTORIC AMERICAN CIVIL WAR HIGH GRADE PRESENTATION SWORD, WAIST BELT AND PLATE OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL MARK FLANIGAN, 24TH MICHIGAN (IRON BRIGADE) INFANTRY BY TIFFANY AND COMPANY, NEW YORK. One of the most historic presentation swords, with significant history related to The Battle of Gettysburg, to be offered for sale at public auction in a number of years. The 24th Michigan Infantry of the famous “Iron Brigade” is one of the most fabled and hardest fought units of the American Civil War and Lt. Colonel Mark Flanigan, formerly the sheriff of Wayne County, Michigan, one of its most valiant and colorful characters. The sword is a high grade presentation non-regulation staff and field officer’s sword from Tiffany & Co., New York. The blade is single edged with a quill back, slightly curved with three fullers running approximately down 60% of each face. The flat panels have an etched design of a spread winged American eagle within a floral panel on one side and a fancy “U.S.” with a floral panel on the other. At the ricasso is stamped “Tiffany & Co./New York.” On the reverse ricasso is stamped the legend “Warranted to cut wrought iron.” The hilt is of gold and silver-plated cast brass with a flat counterguard cast heavily in relief with laurel leaf designs, a miniature sword hilt, furled flags and a circle with “US” set within. The “US” is unusual having the “S” set within the “U.” The oversized quillion is a lion’s head. The single knuckle bow is silver-plate with a twisted cord effect. The pommel cap is backwardly bending full breastplate of Roman armor, complete with skirt and cape, with crested helmet surmounting. The grip is of fine silver with triple twisted silver wire wrap. The scabbard is of gold plated steel, heavily engraved with American flags, Roman armor, weapons, trumpets and acanthus leaf. Just below the throat on the reverse side is a small ribband with “Tiffany & Co.” surmounting a small oval with an Old English “M” within. The throat is silver-plated brass. All three mounts are of silver-plated brass and are heavily engraved and cast in high relief. The ring mounts are raised laurel leaf with ribbon ties. The top mount has a beautifully engraved American eagle perched on the national shield, the middle mount is engraved with a repeating fan-like design and the drag engraved with scrolls, fans and an intertwined “U.S.” The engraved presentation is found on the reverse of the scabbard as follows: Presented to/Lieut. Col. Mark Flanigan/24th Mich. Inf’y/Sheriff Wayne Co. Mich./by his Deputies// Anson Waring/ Martin Lamb/ Jas. McKay/ C.C. Bird/ T.W. Ray/ Francis Hess/ Peter Dixon/ Herman Donstadt/ L.P. Durkee/ John Ochs/ W.Y. Rumney/ J.F. Starkweather/ J.J. Watts/ Seth Goodwin/ Thos. Funke/ Wm. Burke/ P.K. Morris/ Abijah Joy/ Wm. Ringwald PROV: This sword was originally part of the Philip Metacus Collection. We are told a full illustration of the sword is in the book The American Sword published by Man at Arms. Also full page illustration #350 in R.L. Wilson’s book “Steel Canvas”. Included are various photocopies of information relating to Flanigan and his sword. CONDITION: Very Fine. The blade retains much of its orig. armory finish with spotty surface rust at the ricasso and near the tip. The hilt shows light use and some light wear to gold and silver-plating. Hilt is tight. The scabbard is excellent with light surface scratching from normal wear. Neither the sword or the scabbard have been cleaned and retain a medium and attractive patina overall. Flanigan’s waist belt is of fancy red Russian leather, regulation style, having three horizontal bands of gilt wire decoration. The tongue of the belt is embossed in gold leaf “Evans & Hassall/ 418 Arch Street/ Phildela” in an oval. The waist belt plate is a cast brass and gilded U.S. Model 1851 officer’s eagle belt plate. The plate is cast in high relief and is stamped “Evans & Hassall. Phila.” on the narrow tongue. CONDITION: Very good, the leather is flexible, marking very readable, however, shows medium to heavy use. The edges of the belt and straps are scuffed and a bit discolored. Some stitching is loose with minor losses and fraying to the gilt wire decoration. Lieutenant Colonel Mark Flanigan was born in County Antrim, Ireland in 1825, but settled in Detroit, Michigan as a butcher prior to the war. Becoming a community leader he ran for the office of Sheriff of Wayne County and won in 1855. It is that position he held when he offered himself into the service of the United States and was commissioned Lt. Col. On August 15, 1862. The regimental history of the 24th Michigan written in 1962 by Donald L. Smith states that the Detroit Free Press of August 1862 records the presentation of this sword to Lt. Col. Flanigan by the deputies of Wayne County, Michigan (along with presentations to other officers) at a regimental ceremony just prior to leaving for war. The 24th Michigan Infantry of the Iron Brigade needs little introduction to Civil War students. Their service took them to Washington, D.C., Richmond, through the Battle of Fredericksburg, the “Mud March”, Chancellorsville Campaign, Gettysburg (the first infantry force to reach the field under Major General John Reynolds where the 24th Michigan lost over 80% of its men), Mine Run, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania (assault on the salient), Cold Harbor, Siege of Petersburg, and Weldon Railroad. The 24th Michigan was the regiment selected to be the escort of Lincoln’s funeral. Flanigan was conspicuous is his courage and leadership against the enemy in the Battle of Fredericksburg. The 24th faced their real baptism of fire there and were involved in the futile attempts to take Marye’s Heights. Flanigan would be recognized with a brevet promotion to Colonel (March 13, 1865) as a result of his gallantry. Flanigan’s real test of valor, however, came at the Battle of Gettyburg. Flanigan and the 24th Michigan advanced upon Gettysburg along with the 2nd and 7th Wisconsin, and 19th Indiana of the Iron Brigade under Major General John F. Reynolds. In front of C.S. General Archer’s Brigade, the 24th was on the extreme left during a gallant charge which swept over the hill, across Willoughby Run capturing most of the Brigade and General Archer himself. This was a great victory on the first day but not without cost. The 24th Michigan’s color bearer was killed, Adjutant Rexford severely wounded and Lt. Col. Mark Flanigan’s left leg shattered by a Confederate artillery shell. Flanigan would not recover enough from his wounds to continue on with his regiment. With his left leg amputated, Flanigan was honorably discharged on November 21, 1863. In honor of his services and valor Flanigan was subsequently honored with a brevet promotion to Brigadier General on March 13, 1865 “for meritorious conduct in the Battle of Gettysburg, and for services in that engagement.” Flanigan returned to Detroit, took up occupation as an official for the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and passed away on October 4, 1886. He is buried in an unmarked grave in Elmwood Cemetery, Detroit, Michigan (Section D, lot 66). 4-45188 CW (50,000-75,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 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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