HIGH GRADE BAILEY, PHILADELPHIA PRESENTATION SWORD TO COLONEL HENRY LEAMING.

HIGH GRADE BAILEY, PHILADELPHIA PRESENTATION SWORD TO COLONEL HENRY LEAMING. This very ornate sword no doubt was retailed by jeweler Bailey & Company of Philadelphia which later became the well known jeweler, Bailey, Banks & Biddle. Bailey was prominent in military designs, designing the Great Seal of the United States that is still used today and the Medal of Honor, among other accomplishments. This sword is not marked Bailey but very similar swords are Bailey marked. Bailey’s are quite rare and were very expensive in their day so only wealthy buyers could afford them. This sword has high grade features of guard and counter guard resembling sea shells, as does a smaller guard facing the blade. There is an amethyst colored stone in knucklebow, a very ornate relief cut grip terminating in a large American eagle pommel. The guard also has a panoply of flags with a superimposed eagle attached which is plated in two-tone gold and silver. Scabbard is equally ornate with large raised relief mounts including a framed monogram of Leaming’s initials “HL” mounted on a dark colored stone and relief cut “US” with 30 small diamonds. Scabbard also has a framed silver presentation plaque which reads “COL. H. LEAMING FROM THE OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE 40TH REGT. IND. VET. VOLS. JUNE 10TH 1865”. Leaming served with this unit from December 1861 when he entered as Captain. He was promoted to Major in June 1862, Lt. Colonel April 1864 and finally Colonel on May 1, 1865. The 40th Indiana was involved in most major battles in the West, losing five officers and 143 men. The 40th had over 30 casualties in three separate engagements at Missionary Ridge, Kenesaw Mountain, and Franklin Tennessee. This is a marvelous high grade sword given to the Colonel of one of the Western theaters hardest fighting regiments. A file of provenance accompanies this sword. PROVENANCE: Pictured in John Thillmann “Civil War Army Swords” page 497, also pictured in Kevin Hoffmann “Swords of Honor and Regulation”, Kevin Hoffman Collection. CONDITION: Sword is very good to fine overall. The 32″ Damascus imported blade has 13″ etched panels of patriotic and floral designs, still retaining traces of their orig gold wash. Remainder of blade is gray with scattered areas of staining and pitting, especially at tip, all etched panels are discernible, as can be seen in photos. The hilt retains most of of its orig gilt with some high areas worn exposing patinaed brass. Scabbard retains about 60% orig gilt with brass patina on remainder. Grip and pommel retain about 70% silver plate as does applied insignia to guard with remainder with dark patina, as can be seen in photos. 4-46922 JS73 (30,000-40,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2012

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
	2001	$0.00	HIGH GRADE BAILEY, PHILADELPHIA PRESENTATION SWORD TO COLONEL HENRY LEAMING. This very ornate sword no doubt was retailed by jeweler Bailey & Company of Philadelphia which later became the well known jeweler, Bailey, Banks & Biddle. Bailey was prominent in military designs, designing the Great Seal of the United States that is still used today and the Medal of Honor, among other accomplishments. This sword is not marked Bailey but very similar swords are Bailey marked. Bailey’s are quite rare and were very expensive in their day so only wealthy buyers could afford them. This sword has high grade features of guard and counter guard resembling sea shells, as does a smaller guard facing the blade. There is an amethyst colored stone in knucklebow, a very ornate relief cut grip terminating in a large American eagle pommel. The guard also has a panoply of flags with a superimposed eagle attached which is plated in two-tone gold and silver. Scabbard is equally ornate with large raised relief mounts including a framed monogram of Leaming’s initials “HL” mounted on a dark colored stone and relief cut “US” with 30 small diamonds. Scabbard also has a framed silver presentation plaque which reads “COL. H. LEAMING FROM THE OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE 40TH REGT. IND. VET. VOLS. JUNE 10TH 1865”. Leaming served with this unit from December 1861 when he entered as Captain. He was promoted to Major in June 1862, Lt. Colonel April 1864 and finally Colonel on May 1, 1865. The 40th Indiana was involved in most major battles in the West, losing five officers and 143 men. The 40th had over 30 casualties in three separate engagements at Missionary Ridge, Kenesaw Mountain, and Franklin Tennessee. This is a marvelous high grade sword given to the Colonel of one of the Western theaters hardest fighting regiments. A file of provenance accompanies this sword. PROVENANCE: Pictured in John Thillmann “Civil War Army Swords” page 497, also pictured in Kevin Hoffmann “Swords of Honor and Regulation”, Kevin Hoffman Collection. CONDITION: Sword is very good to fine overall. The 32″ Damascus imported blade has 13″ etched panels of patriotic and floral designs, still retaining traces of their orig gold wash. Remainder of blade is gray with scattered areas of staining and pitting, especially at tip, all etched panels are discernible, as can be seen in photos. The hilt retains most of of its orig gilt with some high areas worn exposing patinaed brass. Scabbard retains about 60% orig gilt with brass patina on remainder. Grip and pommel retain about 70% silver plate as does applied insignia to guard with remainder with dark patina, as can be seen in photos. 4-46922 JS73 (30,000-40,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2012 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.

.red{fill:#B50938;} .white{fill:#FFFFFF;} .blue{fill:#005596;}