HISTORIC INSCRIBED CONFEDERATE SIDE KNIFE IN ORIGINAL SCABBARD USED IN PICKETT’S CHARGE.

Revised: 10/19/2007

(Additional Information) We have recently been contacted by a Civil War scholar who provided us further information on the 29th Virginia. Subsequent research bears out what he has told us. The 29th VA was indeed attached to Pickett’s Division, however, prior to Gettysburg it, together with some of the other units, were left to defend Richmond. It is therefore unlikely that A.C. Clark, of the 29th VA, was present at Pickett’s Charge, but the knife is a superb example of an extremely rare, Confederate, handmade, inscribed fighting knife, with direct and conclusive information of ownership indicating Confederate use at both Richmond and during the Wilderness Campaign, nonetheless.

HISTORIC INSCRIBED CONFEDERATE SIDE KNIFE IN ORIGINAL SCABBARD USED IN PICKETT’S CHARGE. 9-3/4” double-sided blade made from file, is nicely etched “H. C. Clark Wythe City, Virginia Aug 16, 1861”. Henry C. Clark from Wythe City, VA, entered Confederate service July 23, 1861. He received this knife a month later, based on the inscription. Henry Clark served for the 29th Virginia, at Gettysburg with Pickett’s Division. He took part in the infamous charge on the 3rd, and last, day of Gettysburg, certainly one of the most famous charges in history. On July 3, 1863 Gen. Lee commanded Gen. Pickett to send his entire division against the center of the Union line. Approximately 12,500 Confederate soldiers did. Pickett’s Division alone suffered 2,655 casualties and the Confederate forces a 50% casualty rate. The charge and its failure was the beginning of the end for the Confederacy and is referred to as the High Water Mark for the Confederacy. Clark survived Pickett’s charge only to be captured in May 1864 during the Wilderness Campaign, and taken prisoner. He died at Elmira Prison on September 30, 1864, and is buried at the national cemetery at Elmira. Knife exhibits a 2-1/2” pewter crossguard, wood grip with iron buttcap. Scabbard is back sewn, decorated, brown leather with tin throat and drag. Integral sewn belt loop is still attached and sound. CONDITION: Blade is gray/bright with scattered staining and pitting. Octagonally carved wood grip is sound with scattered scrapes and scratches. Crossguard is very good, as is iron pommel, which is slightly loose with scrapes and scratches. Scabbard is very good overall, being very sound. Decorations on obverse are well-defined. Tin throat and drag have areas of rust. Stitching is complete with no reductions. An outstanding example in wonderful, as found condition with a remarkable history. 8-76221 JS223 (10,000-30,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2007

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
	1334	$15,525.00	Revised: 10/19/2007 (Additional Information) We have recently been contacted by a Civil War scholar who provided us further information on the 29th Virginia. Subsequent research bears out what he has told us. The 29th VA was indeed attached to Pickett’s Division, however, prior to Gettysburg it, together with some of the other units, were left to defend Richmond. It is therefore unlikely that A.C. Clark, of the 29th VA, was present at Pickett’s Charge, but the knife is a superb example of an extremely rare, Confederate, handmade, inscribed fighting knife, with direct and conclusive information of ownership indicating Confederate use at both Richmond and during the Wilderness Campaign, nonetheless. HISTORIC INSCRIBED CONFEDERATE SIDE KNIFE IN ORIGINAL SCABBARD USED IN PICKETT’S CHARGE. 9-3/4” double-sided blade made from file, is nicely etched “H. C. Clark Wythe City, Virginia Aug 16, 1861”. Henry C. Clark from Wythe City, VA, entered Confederate service July 23, 1861. He received this knife a month later, based on the inscription. Henry Clark served for the 29th Virginia, at Gettysburg with Pickett’s Division. He took part in the infamous charge on the 3rd, and last, day of Gettysburg, certainly one of the most famous charges in history. On July 3, 1863 Gen. Lee commanded Gen. Pickett to send his entire division against the center of the Union line. Approximately 12,500 Confederate soldiers did. Pickett’s Division alone suffered 2,655 casualties and the Confederate forces a 50% casualty rate. The charge and its failure was the beginning of the end for the Confederacy and is referred to as the High Water Mark for the Confederacy. Clark survived Pickett’s charge only to be captured in May 1864 during the Wilderness Campaign, and taken prisoner. He died at Elmira Prison on September 30, 1864, and is buried at the national cemetery at Elmira. Knife exhibits a 2-1/2” pewter crossguard, wood grip with iron buttcap. Scabbard is back sewn, decorated, brown leather with tin throat and drag. Integral sewn belt loop is still attached and sound. CONDITION: Blade is gray/bright with scattered staining and pitting. Octagonally carved wood grip is sound with scattered scrapes and scratches. Crossguard is very good, as is iron pommel, which is slightly loose with scrapes and scratches. Scabbard is very good overall, being very sound. Decorations on obverse are well-defined. Tin throat and drag have areas of rust. Stitching is complete with no reductions. An outstanding example in wonderful, as found condition with a remarkable history. 8-76221 JS223 (10,000-30,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2007 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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