CIVIL WAR AMES PRESENTATION MODEL 1850 STAFF OFFICER’S SWORD OF COLONEL ANTHONY CONK, 139th NEW YORK VOLS.

CIVIL WAR AMES PRESENTATION MODEL 1850 STAFF OFFICER’S SWORD OF COLONEL ANTHONY CONK, 139th NEW YORK VOLS. You are bidding on a very nice Civil War Presentation Ames staff sword, pictured in David Stroud’s book, pages 61-62, “Inscribed Union Swords 1861-1865.” Stroud states “The sword presented to Colonel Conk is a Model 1850 Staff and Field Officers’ with wood grips covered with shark skin and wrapped with one strand of twisted gilt wire. The pommel is brass with floral decoration and the brass guard has two branches decorated with pierced floral design and the letters “U.S.”. The blade is etched on the obverse with “Ames Mgf. Co./Chicopee/Mass.” near the ricasso and military motif consisting of two drums with a shield in front and a quiver of arrows. Also present is floral motif, an American flag, and a spread-winged eagle with a Union shield on its breast. Above the eagle is a ribbon with the motto, “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” The reverse is etched with the same design with the exception of the letters “U.S.” intead of an eagle and the addition of two banners. The scabbard is metal silvered with gilted brass fittings. The top mount is brass and inscribed on the obverse, “Presented to Col. Anthony Conk/ 139th. Reg. N.Y.V./ by his friend/Major Gen. H.B. Duryea/ Sept. 8th 1862.” The scabbard bands have a leaf design while the tip and drag is void of decoration. The reverse of the top mount is stamped with “Ames.Mgf.Co./Chicopee/Mass.” Anthony Conk was commissioned Colonel of the 139th New York Volunteers on September 9, 1862. The regiment was formed in Brooklyn, New York, and mustered into federal service in September. As in most cities the citizens were informed of the military preparation by the newspaper. The New York Times carried the following article a few days after the 139th was mustered in: ‘BROOKLYN NEWS DEPARTURE OF THE SECOND SENATORIAL REGIMENT FOR THE SEAT OF WAR.- This Regiment, designated as the One Hundred and Thirty-ninth, finally left Camp Arthur, near the Navy-Yard last evening, and after marching up Nassau to Bridge-street, up Myrtle-avenue to Pearl-street, and down Pearl, they were conveyed to an ocean steamer at the foot of Canal-street. During the day the City Park, in which the regiment was encamped, presented a busy and exciting scene. Thousands thronged the inclosure, many the wives and relatives of the soldiers, who came to bid them good-by. The men were provided with overcoats, knapsacks, canteens and three day’s rations. Meanwhile the officers assembled at the headquarters, corner of Nassau-street and Hudson-avenue, and presented Col. Conk with an elegant sword, sash, belt and haversack. A brief address was made by Dr. Thomas P. Norris, and an appropriate and patriotic response on behalf of the recipient, by S.D. Morris, Esq. During the day a sword was also presented to Capt. Thomas Mulcahy, of Co. K. The regiment embarked on the ferry-boat about 6 o’clock P.M., in good order, and was steamed off amid the cheers of a vast multitude which had assembled to see them. They numbered nearly 900 men.’ The article presents an interesting question. Was the sword presented to Colonel Conk by the officers the same sword presented to him by Major General Duryea? Since the article made no mention of the popular general it is doubtful that it was the same sword. Other officers are known to have been presented more than one sword during the war, and Colonel Conk was no exception. The 139th New York left for Fortress Monroe, Virginia, and was attached to Camp Hamilton until April, 1863. They fought at Whittaker’s Mills, Williamsburg, and Fort Magruder in April, 1863. After these actions the regiment moved to Yorktown, Virginia and served there until April, 1864. While the unit was in Yorktown COlonel Conk resigned his commission for reasons of health. He was honorably discharged on July 28, 1863.” A large reproduction recruiting poster for Conk’s regiment is included. CONDITION: Blade has been cleaned. The white etched panels, each about 18″ long, are both clearly visible with some losses on cutting edge. Sharkskin grip is very good, showing the normal shrinkage and about 1/16″ gap on reverse of grip. Hilt and wire show much of their orig gilting. Scabbard has been cleaned. Gilt is present only in protected areas on scabbard and mounts. Sword knot present is in very good condition. 4-31909 JS4 (5,000-7,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2008

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
	1355	$4,600.00	CIVIL WAR AMES PRESENTATION MODEL 1850 STAFF OFFICER’S SWORD OF COLONEL ANTHONY CONK, 139th NEW YORK VOLS. You are bidding on a very nice Civil War Presentation Ames staff sword, pictured in David Stroud’s book, pages 61-62, “Inscribed Union Swords 1861-1865.” Stroud states “The sword presented to Colonel Conk is a Model 1850 Staff and Field Officers’ with wood grips covered with shark skin and wrapped with one strand of twisted gilt wire. The pommel is brass with floral decoration and the brass guard has two branches decorated with pierced floral design and the letters “U.S.”. The blade is etched on the obverse with “Ames Mgf. Co./Chicopee/Mass.” near the ricasso and military motif consisting of two drums with a shield in front and a quiver of arrows. Also present is floral motif, an American flag, and a spread-winged eagle with a Union shield on its breast. Above the eagle is a ribbon with the motto, “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” The reverse is etched with the same design with the exception of the letters “U.S.” intead of an eagle and the addition of two banners. The scabbard is metal silvered with gilted brass fittings. The top mount is brass and inscribed on the obverse, “Presented to Col. Anthony Conk/ 139th. Reg. N.Y.V./ by his friend/Major Gen. H.B. Duryea/ Sept. 8th 1862.” The scabbard bands have a leaf design while the tip and drag is void of decoration. The reverse of the top mount is stamped with “Ames.Mgf.Co./Chicopee/Mass.” Anthony Conk was commissioned Colonel of the 139th New York Volunteers on September 9, 1862. The regiment was formed in Brooklyn, New York, and mustered into federal service in September. As in most cities the citizens were informed of the military preparation by the newspaper. The New York Times carried the following article a few days after the 139th was mustered in: ‘BROOKLYN NEWS DEPARTURE OF THE SECOND SENATORIAL REGIMENT FOR THE SEAT OF WAR.- This Regiment, designated as the One Hundred and Thirty-ninth, finally left Camp Arthur, near the Navy-Yard last evening, and after marching up Nassau to Bridge-street, up Myrtle-avenue to Pearl-street, and down Pearl, they were conveyed to an ocean steamer at the foot of Canal-street. During the day the City Park, in which the regiment was encamped, presented a busy and exciting scene. Thousands thronged the inclosure, many the wives and relatives of the soldiers, who came to bid them good-by. The men were provided with overcoats, knapsacks, canteens and three day’s rations. Meanwhile the officers assembled at the headquarters, corner of Nassau-street and Hudson-avenue, and presented Col. Conk with an elegant sword, sash, belt and haversack. A brief address was made by Dr. Thomas P. Norris, and an appropriate and patriotic response on behalf of the recipient, by S.D. Morris, Esq. During the day a sword was also presented to Capt. Thomas Mulcahy, of Co. K. The regiment embarked on the ferry-boat about 6 o’clock P.M., in good order, and was steamed off amid the cheers of a vast multitude which had assembled to see them. They numbered nearly 900 men.’ The article presents an interesting question. Was the sword presented to Colonel Conk by the officers the same sword presented to him by Major General Duryea? Since the article made no mention of the popular general it is doubtful that it was the same sword. Other officers are known to have been presented more than one sword during the war, and Colonel Conk was no exception. The 139th New York left for Fortress Monroe, Virginia, and was attached to Camp Hamilton until April, 1863. They fought at Whittaker’s Mills, Williamsburg, and Fort Magruder in April, 1863. After these actions the regiment moved to Yorktown, Virginia and served there until April, 1864. While the unit was in Yorktown COlonel Conk resigned his commission for reasons of health. He was honorably discharged on July 28, 1863.” A large reproduction recruiting poster for Conk’s regiment is included. CONDITION: Blade has been cleaned. The white etched panels, each about 18″ long, are both clearly visible with some losses on cutting edge. Sharkskin grip is very good, showing the normal shrinkage and about 1/16″ gap on reverse of grip. Hilt and wire show much of their orig gilting. Scabbard has been cleaned. Gilt is present only in protected areas on scabbard and mounts. Sword knot present is in very good condition. 4-31909 JS4 (5,000-7,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2008 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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