DELUXE PRESENTATION GRADE, TIFFANY ARMORIAL-HILT CIVIL WAR SWORD PRESENTED TO COLONEL JOHN KNAPP OF MISSOURI.

DELUXE PRESENTATION GRADE, TIFFANY ARMORIAL-HILT CIVIL WAR SWORD PRESENTED TO COLONEL JOHN KNAPP OF MISSOURI. This is a high-grade Tiffany Presentation Staff & Field Officers Sword in one of the most popular patterns that Tiffany produced. It’s “Collins & Company, 1861” marked blade of 30.5″ is etched with military motifs to each side and a “Tiffany & Co.” etch to the ricasso. The grip is silver, mounted with a brass pommel casting of Greco-Roman breast-plate capped with a Roman Helmet, well detailed and chased in Tiffany quality. Lion-head quillon. The guard shows a large “US” on a round shield next to a Roman sword and battle-axe and the center of the knuckle-bow is of silver. Solid German-silver scabbard engraved with military motifs and marked “Tiffany & Company” in ribbon at the throat. Brass mounts and drag are classically engraved as is the scabbard with a bold stand of flags bordering each side of the presentation panel between the ring mounts that reads, “Presented To Col John Knapp 8th Reg EMM by his Officers, October of 1862”. Presentation-grade Tiffany swords such as this are often found showing little to no use. This example, although in generally fine condition, shows all the earmarks of field use by its owner. Colonel John Knapp started his military career in Company C of the 1st Missouri during the Mexican War. After the war he was a prominent newspaperman and became active in the Missouri State Militia, commanding part of the Militia in the Kansas-Missouri Border War of 1860. Knapp was presented this sword during his service as a Colonel of Missouri troops (Union) during the Civil War. He broke his previously used presentation sword over his knee after the surrender of Militia troops in 1861 to Union forces whom he felt had wrongly invaded Missouri. Knapp’s broken sword is still on display in the Missouri History Museum Collection. Knapp became Colonel of the 8th Regiment Enrolled Missouri Militia in 1862. He later commanded a provisional regiment and was also appointed aide-de-camp and adviser to Governor Willard P. Hall. Late in 1864 Knapp took the field in command of a militia brigade in pursuit of Confederate Sterling Price following his ill-fated invasion of Missouri. As this sword was presented in 1862, he most likely carried this sword while commanding the 8th and 13th Missouri Militias as well as during his pursuit of General Price on his Missouri raids. The sword is accompanied with a folder of documentation on Knapp. CONDITION: Fine overall. The hilt is in fine condition showing a pleasing patina to its brass and showing traces of gold gilt. The silver grip and knuckle-bow are excellent as is the scabbard, which shows a few very minor dents. The gray patina blade is good, retaining all of its etching and showing scattered staining and some slight roughness due to weathering and age. 4-44175 (10,000-20,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2011

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
	2217	$12,075.00	DELUXE PRESENTATION GRADE, TIFFANY ARMORIAL-HILT CIVIL WAR SWORD PRESENTED TO COLONEL JOHN KNAPP OF MISSOURI. This is a high-grade Tiffany Presentation Staff & Field Officers Sword in one of the most popular patterns that Tiffany produced. It’s “Collins & Company, 1861” marked blade of 30.5″ is etched with military motifs to each side and a “Tiffany & Co.” etch to the ricasso. The grip is silver, mounted with a brass pommel casting of Greco-Roman breast-plate capped with a Roman Helmet, well detailed and chased in Tiffany quality. Lion-head quillon. The guard shows a large “US” on a round shield next to a Roman sword and battle-axe and the center of the knuckle-bow is of silver. Solid German-silver scabbard engraved with military motifs and marked “Tiffany & Company” in ribbon at the throat. Brass mounts and drag are classically engraved as is the scabbard with a bold stand of flags bordering each side of the presentation panel between the ring mounts that reads, “Presented To Col John Knapp 8th Reg EMM by his Officers, October of 1862”. Presentation-grade Tiffany swords such as this are often found showing little to no use. This example, although in generally fine condition, shows all the earmarks of field use by its owner. Colonel John Knapp started his military career in Company C of the 1st Missouri during the Mexican War. After the war he was a prominent newspaperman and became active in the Missouri State Militia, commanding part of the Militia in the Kansas-Missouri Border War of 1860. Knapp was presented this sword during his service as a Colonel of Missouri troops (Union) during the Civil War. He broke his previously used presentation sword over his knee after the surrender of Militia troops in 1861 to Union forces whom he felt had wrongly invaded Missouri. Knapp’s broken sword is still on display in the Missouri History Museum Collection. Knapp became Colonel of the 8th Regiment Enrolled Missouri Militia in 1862. He later commanded a provisional regiment and was also appointed aide-de-camp and adviser to Governor Willard P. Hall. Late in 1864 Knapp took the field in command of a militia brigade in pursuit of Confederate Sterling Price following his ill-fated invasion of Missouri. As this sword was presented in 1862, he most likely carried this sword while commanding the 8th and 13th Missouri Militias as well as during his pursuit of General Price on his Missouri raids. The sword is accompanied with a folder of documentation on Knapp. CONDITION: Fine overall. The hilt is in fine condition showing a pleasing patina to its brass and showing traces of gold gilt. The silver grip and knuckle-bow are excellent as is the scabbard, which shows a few very minor dents. The gray patina blade is good, retaining all of its etching and showing scattered staining and some slight roughness due to weathering and age. 4-44175 (10,000-20,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2011 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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