HIGH GRADE U.S. MODEL 1851 STAFF & FIELD PRESENTATION SWORD MADE BY C. ROBY TO COLONEL HARRY HARRIS DAVIES, NEW YORK.

HIGH GRADE U.S. MODEL 1851 STAFF & FIELD PRESENTATION SWORD MADE BY C. ROBY TO COLONEL HARRY HARRIS DAVIES, NEW YORK. A simply beautiful high grade presentation sword having a slightly curved single edged blade signed “C. Roby & Co,/W. Chelmsford, MASS” on the ricasso. Both faces of the blade are heavily decorated with etching with eagles, flags, stands of arms, floral decoration and “U.S.” The half basket guard is gilded cast brass having sprays of laurel, scrolls and an inset rococo escutcheon surrounded by stars all cast in very high relief and gold plated. The grip is also of gold plated cast brass simulating leather and wire wrap. The pommel is in heavy relief with scroll and floral work overall. Attached to the knuckle bow is a regulation black and gilt cloth sword knot. The scabbard is of gold plated brass with engraved decoration over 80% of the entire body. The scabbard is engraved with floral scrolls and flames having a spread winged eagle and shield on a cloud with a sunburst and arch of stars above. The mountings are cast in high relief all having classical scrolls and floral work. Just above the top mount is the presentation: Presented to/ Col. Harry Harris Davies/ by his numerous friends in New York City, Brooklyn/ and Bayonne/U.S. of America. This lot is also accompanied by a notebook filled with information accumulated about Col. Davies. Included in the notebook is a large photo copy of a post-war image of Davies standing in full regalia and sporting this very sword. Information gleamed from Davies family and other sources indicate that Mr. Davies was a very accomplished and well regarded artist. Some of his paintings of his depicting the Civil War are apparently in museums (one was purchased by the Rockefeller family and in 1988 in the possession of Mrs. Laurance Rockefeller). Various documents indicate that he served in the Army. After the Army, on February 27, 1869, a letter was sent to President Elect U.S. Grant serving as an introduction and requesting that he be considered for consul of the United States of America at Cardiff’s in Wales. Davies was a Welshman and his letter of introduction to Grant was successful and he was later appointed consul. He died in 1886. CONDITION: Fine, the blade is faded a bit to gray, however, all etched decorations are strong and visible. There are numerous dark spots (not affecting the etching) mostly concentrated near the bottom 1/4 of the blade. The hilt is bright and excellent in every way and the attached sword know quite nice, just a bit frayed here and there on the edges. The scabbard is wonderful, having retained almost all of its orig. gold wash. A fine, well conditioned example of Roby’s fine artwork and craftsmanship. More research is sure to turn up Colonel Davies’ military record. 4-45094 CW (5,000-7,000)

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
	635	$6,325.00	HIGH GRADE U.S. MODEL 1851 STAFF & FIELD PRESENTATION SWORD MADE BY C. ROBY TO COLONEL HARRY HARRIS DAVIES, NEW YORK. A simply beautiful high grade presentation sword having a slightly curved single edged blade signed “C. Roby & Co,/W. Chelmsford, MASS” on the ricasso. Both faces of the blade are heavily decorated with etching with eagles, flags, stands of arms, floral decoration and “U.S.” The half basket guard is gilded cast brass having sprays of laurel, scrolls and an inset rococo escutcheon surrounded by stars all cast in very high relief and gold plated. The grip is also of gold plated cast brass simulating leather and wire wrap. The pommel is in heavy relief with scroll and floral work overall. Attached to the knuckle bow is a regulation black and gilt cloth sword knot. The scabbard is of gold plated brass with engraved decoration over 80% of the entire body. The scabbard is engraved with floral scrolls and flames having a spread winged eagle and shield on a cloud with a sunburst and arch of stars above. The mountings are cast in high relief all having classical scrolls and floral work. Just above the top mount is the presentation: Presented to/ Col. Harry Harris Davies/ by his numerous friends in New York City, Brooklyn/ and Bayonne/U.S. of America. This lot is also accompanied by a notebook filled with information accumulated about Col. Davies. Included in the notebook is a large photo copy of a post-war image of Davies standing in full regalia and sporting this very sword. Information gleamed from Davies family and other sources indicate that Mr. Davies was a very accomplished and well regarded artist. Some of his paintings of his depicting the Civil War are apparently in museums (one was purchased by the Rockefeller family and in 1988 in the possession of Mrs. Laurance Rockefeller). Various documents indicate that he served in the Army. After the Army, on February 27, 1869, a letter was sent to President Elect U.S. Grant serving as an introduction and requesting that he be considered for consul of the United States of America at Cardiff’s in Wales. Davies was a Welshman and his letter of introduction to Grant was successful and he was later appointed consul. He died in 1886. CONDITION: Fine, the blade is faded a bit to gray, however, all etched decorations are strong and visible. There are numerous dark spots (not affecting the etching) mostly concentrated near the bottom 1/4 of the blade. The hilt is bright and excellent in every way and the attached sword know quite nice, just a bit frayed here and there on the edges. The scabbard is wonderful, having retained almost all of its orig. gold wash. A fine, well conditioned example of Roby’s fine artwork and craftsmanship. More research is sure to turn up Colonel Davies’ military record. 4-45094 CW (5,000-7,000) 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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