TIFFANY CAVALRY OFFICER’S SABER OF CAPTAIN C.W. MCLAIN OF 2ND MISSOURI CAVALRY.

TIFFANY CAVALRY OFFICER’S SABER OF CAPTAIN C.W. MCLAIN OF 2ND MISSOURI CAVALRY. Fine high grade cavalry officer’s saber marked “TIFFANY & CO. NY”. The 35″ blade is etched with 18″ panels of various military motifs including a 3″ full standing Zouave and a full standing mounted officer. Etching is attributed to John Orr who is thought to be the finest Tiffany blade etcher of his day. Blade is also marked by its manufacturer “COLLINS & CO. HARTFORD/CONN/1861”. Sword hilt has small floral engraved panels on branches and pommel. A 1-1/2″ raised relief eagle is found on quillon. Grip is shagreen and wire wrapped. Scabbard is gilted brass with silver-plated relief engraved mounts. Inscription found between two top mounts reads “PRESENTED TO CAPT. C.W. MCLAIN,BY THE MEMBERS OF COMPANY D MERRILLS HORSE, MARCH 1 1863”. Lieutenant McLain had been promoted to captain as his captain J.W. Baird was killed in action Sept. 6, 1862 fighting against guerrillas. In this same action, Capt. McLain was cited for meritorious conduct. McLain mustered out of service in 1865 as a Major in the 2nd Missouri Cavalry. The 2nd Missouri Cavalry (Merrill Horse) was originally organized late in 1861 by Captain Lewis Merrill and served until wars end in 1865. This unit saw most of its action in the west in Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas and Louisiana. The regiment has casualties of 262 during the war. This sword is pictured in an article written by Stephen Dorsey and published in Confederate Veteran Magazine, Vol. Five, 2001 and The Gun Report, Vol. 46, No. 8. A copy of these magazines and large file of service records accompany this sword. PROVENANCE: Fred B. McDonald Estate Collection. CONDITION: Sword overall is very good. Blade is gray/bright with some original luster. Brass hilt retains small traces of gilt in protected areas. Grip is intact, worn at high areas, original twisted wire is tight, complete and intact. Scabbard has been cleaned overall retaining traces of gilt in protected areas. Scabbard mounts retain most of their silver plate, though all have patinaed to gray. Scabbard body is sound and solid with small areas of pitting with scattered scratches, small dings, dents and stains. 4-41454 JS9 (6,000-8,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 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
	2367	$9,775.00	TIFFANY CAVALRY OFFICER’S SABER OF CAPTAIN C.W. MCLAIN OF 2ND MISSOURI CAVALRY. Fine high grade cavalry officer’s saber marked “TIFFANY & CO. NY”. The 35″ blade is etched with 18″ panels of various military motifs including a 3″ full standing Zouave and a full standing mounted officer. Etching is attributed to John Orr who is thought to be the finest Tiffany blade etcher of his day. Blade is also marked by its manufacturer “COLLINS & CO. HARTFORD/CONN/1861”. Sword hilt has small floral engraved panels on branches and pommel. A 1-1/2″ raised relief eagle is found on quillon. Grip is shagreen and wire wrapped. Scabbard is gilted brass with silver-plated relief engraved mounts. Inscription found between two top mounts reads “PRESENTED TO CAPT. C.W. MCLAIN,BY THE MEMBERS OF COMPANY D MERRILLS HORSE, MARCH 1 1863”. Lieutenant McLain had been promoted to captain as his captain J.W. Baird was killed in action Sept. 6, 1862 fighting against guerrillas. In this same action, Capt. McLain was cited for meritorious conduct. McLain mustered out of service in 1865 as a Major in the 2nd Missouri Cavalry. The 2nd Missouri Cavalry (Merrill Horse) was originally organized late in 1861 by Captain Lewis Merrill and served until wars end in 1865. This unit saw most of its action in the west in Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas and Louisiana. The regiment has casualties of 262 during the war. This sword is pictured in an article written by Stephen Dorsey and published in Confederate Veteran Magazine, Vol. Five, 2001 and The Gun Report, Vol. 46, No. 8. A copy of these magazines and large file of service records accompany this sword. PROVENANCE: Fred B. McDonald Estate Collection. CONDITION: Sword overall is very good. Blade is gray/bright with some original luster. Brass hilt retains small traces of gilt in protected areas. Grip is intact, worn at high areas, original twisted wire is tight, complete and intact. Scabbard has been cleaned overall retaining traces of gilt in protected areas. Scabbard mounts retain most of their silver plate, though all have patinaed to gray. Scabbard body is sound and solid with small areas of pitting with scattered scratches, small dings, dents and stains. 4-41454 JS9 (6,000-8,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 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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