HISTORIC U.S. MODEL 1850 FOOT OFFICER’S SWORD INSCRIBED TO 2ND LIEUTENANT ELIJAH B. GILL, JR., 1st MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY, KILLED IN ACTION AT 1st BULL RUN.

HISTORIC U.S. MODEL 1850 FOOT OFFICER’S SWORD INSCRIBED TO 2ND LIEUTENANT ELIJAH B. GILL, JR., 1st MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY, KILLED IN ACTION AT 1st BULL RUN. Offered here is the historic field sword of a heroic junior officer of the 1st Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry who was killed in battle during the first major combat engagement of the American Civil War. The sword is a regulation U.S. Model 1850 Foot Officer’s sword manufactured by the Ames Manufacturing Co. and so marked on the ricasso of the blade and top mount of the scabbard. The sword has a cast brass hilt decorated according to regulation with sharkskin and twisted wire covered wooden grip. The slightly curved single edged blade measures 32” and is decorated with etched patriotic designs including a stand of arms, a spread winged American eagle and a shield with “U.S.” The scabbard is of black bridle leather with plain brass mounts. The reverse of the top mount is stamped “Ames Mfg. Co. /Chicopee, Mass.” The presentation is made below the carrying ring band on the reverse of the top mount just below the Ames stamp. In period script engraving, the presentation reads “E.B. Gill, Jr. /Boston.” The knuckle bow is wrapped with its original gilt cloth regulation officer’s sword knot.

Elijah B. Gill, Jr. was born on April 24, 1833 in Hingham, Massachusetts. Later a resident of South Boston, Gill was a 29 year old bookkeeper and accountant when he was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant of Company “I” of the 1st Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry on May 23, 1861. The regiment left Massachusetts on June 15, 1861 reporting to camp outside Washington D.C. Immediately thereafter, the regiment was assigned to Richardson’s Brigade of Tyler’s division. The unit advanced toward Manassas fighting briefly at Blackburn’s Ford on July 18th. Lt. Gill would fall in battle on July 21, 1861 during the 1st Battle of Bull Run near the crossing of the Warrenton Pike.

A photograph of Lt. Gill, in uniform, exists in the Massachusetts Commandery of MOLLUS. He is most likely holding this sword with its attached sword knot in the Carte de Visite.

A wonderful opportunity to own an historic relic of the Battle of 1st Bull Run. The regimental records indicate that Gill was the unit’s only casualty in the battle on July 21, 1861. Copies of military and historical records accompany.

CONDITION: Excellent. Obviously this sword saw little use. The blade is very strong with good, clear etching. Several darkened spots, however, are present near the ricasso and mid-blade. The hilt and furniture are fine; the sharkskin wrap on the grip is separated at the seam slightly. The leather scabbard is very good and the original sword knot has a mellow patina with slight fraying here and there. 4-53192 CW1 (7,000-9,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2004

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
	1133	$6,325.00	HISTORIC U.S. MODEL 1850 FOOT OFFICER’S SWORD INSCRIBED TO 2ND LIEUTENANT ELIJAH B. GILL, JR., 1st MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY, KILLED IN ACTION AT 1st BULL RUN. Offered here is the historic field sword of a heroic junior officer of the 1st Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry who was killed in battle during the first major combat engagement of the American Civil War. The sword is a regulation U.S. Model 1850 Foot Officer’s sword manufactured by the Ames Manufacturing Co. and so marked on the ricasso of the blade and top mount of the scabbard. The sword has a cast brass hilt decorated according to regulation with sharkskin and twisted wire covered wooden grip. The slightly curved single edged blade measures 32” and is decorated with etched patriotic designs including a stand of arms, a spread winged American eagle and a shield with “U.S.” The scabbard is of black bridle leather with plain brass mounts. The reverse of the top mount is stamped “Ames Mfg. Co. /Chicopee, Mass.” The presentation is made below the carrying ring band on the reverse of the top mount just below the Ames stamp. In period script engraving, the presentation reads “E.B. Gill, Jr. /Boston.” The knuckle bow is wrapped with its original gilt cloth regulation officer’s sword knot. Elijah B. Gill, Jr. was born on April 24, 1833 in Hingham, Massachusetts. Later a resident of South Boston, Gill was a 29 year old bookkeeper and accountant when he was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant of Company “I” of the 1st Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry on May 23, 1861. The regiment left Massachusetts on June 15, 1861 reporting to camp outside Washington D.C. Immediately thereafter, the regiment was assigned to Richardson’s Brigade of Tyler’s division. The unit advanced toward Manassas fighting briefly at Blackburn’s Ford on July 18th. Lt. Gill would fall in battle on July 21, 1861 during the 1st Battle of Bull Run near the crossing of the Warrenton Pike. A photograph of Lt. Gill, in uniform, exists in the Massachusetts Commandery of MOLLUS. He is most likely holding this sword with its attached sword knot in the Carte de Visite. A wonderful opportunity to own an historic relic of the Battle of 1st Bull Run. The regimental records indicate that Gill was the unit’s only casualty in the battle on July 21, 1861. Copies of military and historical records accompany. CONDITION: Excellent. Obviously this sword saw little use. The blade is very strong with good, clear etching. Several darkened spots, however, are present near the ricasso and mid-blade. The hilt and furniture are fine; the sharkskin wrap on the grip is separated at the seam slightly. The leather scabbard is very good and the original sword knot has a mellow patina with slight fraying here and there. 4-53192 CW1 (7,000-9,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2004 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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