HIGH GRADE CASED PRESENTATION FOOT OFFICER’S SWORD TO CAPT. DAVID BURLEIGH, 4TH NH VOLS.

HIGH GRADE CASED PRESENTATION FOOT OFFICER’S SWORD TO CAPT. DAVID BURLEIGH, 4TH NH VOLS. You are bidding on one of the highest grade foot officer’s sword you will find. This sword made by W. H. Horstmann, Phil. has an engraved sheet silver grip, shark’s skin scabbard with raised relief mounts with engraved silver medallions. The 30-1/2″ blade is near mint and is etched in 17″ panels that retain most of their original luster. Blade etch contains various patriotic motifs including panoplies of arms, American eagle, riband with “E PLURIBUS UNUM” and a large “US”. The sword is agent marked “W H HORSTMANN & SONS PHILADELPHIA”. The engraved sheet silver grip has various floral and geometric engraved designs that terminate in the head of a serpent and an eagle. The heavily gilted brass hilt and pommel show extra chasing and higher relief design than noted on typical foot officer hilts. There is also a large engraved panel about 3″ across covering the normally undecorated area on top of hilt surrounding grip engraved with a crossed rifle and a halberd with floral decoration. Blade retains its protective red felt washer. Shark skin scabbard is in excellent condition with 4″ sword mounts with relief decorated frames surrounding 1-3/8″ silver ovals with engraved patriotic motifs as can be seen in photos. The drag also contains a similar frame and a drag that terminates into an acorn shaped finial. The presentation is engraved on back side of throat reads as follows “Presented to/Capt. David Burley/4th N.H.Vol’s/By Sergeant Nolan and others/of the State.” This was a very expensive sword in its day and it is rare to see field grade swords of this high grade, especially cased. The casing for this sword is fitted silk and velvet lined, leather covered wood attached by brass hook and eye closures and brass hinges. David Burleigh entered service as a lieutenant in Sept. 1861, the 4th New Hampshire and saw service in the Carolinas. Burleigh was promoted to captain in Oct. 1862. Burleigh was involved in recruiting troops in his home state about this time, he would later see service in South Carolina and Virginia. In May of 1864 he was disciplined for allowing his men to retreat “in a disgraceful manner” and not rally them to retake positions lost on the line between the Appomattox and the James River in advance of Bermuda landing, Virginia. (May 22, 1864) Burleigh would be court martialed for this action and he was cashiered out of the service; however years later the US Senate and House of Representatives would recognize Burleigh as being honorably discharged from the 4th NH Infantry. SIZE: 30-1/2″ blade. CONDITION: Blade is bright and in excellent condition retaining most of the original luster with some areas of black staining. Brass hilt, pommel and scabbard mounts retain 80-90% of their original gilt. Silver grip has several scattered small scratches. Shark skin scabbard body is sound and complete. Casing shows wear and several holes to silk and velvet. Exterior of case has large 3″ crack in wood body at top. Decorated leather cover shows numerous scuffs, tears and stained areas. 4-39983 JS57 (20,000-25,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2010

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
	2396	$0.00	HIGH GRADE CASED PRESENTATION FOOT OFFICER’S SWORD TO CAPT. DAVID BURLEIGH, 4TH NH VOLS. You are bidding on one of the highest grade foot officer’s sword you will find. This sword made by W. H. Horstmann, Phil. has an engraved sheet silver grip, shark’s skin scabbard with raised relief mounts with engraved silver medallions. The 30-1/2″ blade is near mint and is etched in 17″ panels that retain most of their original luster. Blade etch contains various patriotic motifs including panoplies of arms, American eagle, riband with “E PLURIBUS UNUM” and a large “US”. The sword is agent marked “W H HORSTMANN & SONS PHILADELPHIA”. The engraved sheet silver grip has various floral and geometric engraved designs that terminate in the head of a serpent and an eagle. The heavily gilted brass hilt and pommel show extra chasing and higher relief design than noted on typical foot officer hilts. There is also a large engraved panel about 3″ across covering the normally undecorated area on top of hilt surrounding grip engraved with a crossed rifle and a halberd with floral decoration. Blade retains its protective red felt washer. Shark skin scabbard is in excellent condition with 4″ sword mounts with relief decorated frames surrounding 1-3/8″ silver ovals with engraved patriotic motifs as can be seen in photos. The drag also contains a similar frame and a drag that terminates into an acorn shaped finial. The presentation is engraved on back side of throat reads as follows “Presented to/Capt. David Burley/4th N.H.Vol’s/By Sergeant Nolan and others/of the State.” This was a very expensive sword in its day and it is rare to see field grade swords of this high grade, especially cased. The casing for this sword is fitted silk and velvet lined, leather covered wood attached by brass hook and eye closures and brass hinges. David Burleigh entered service as a lieutenant in Sept. 1861, the 4th New Hampshire and saw service in the Carolinas. Burleigh was promoted to captain in Oct. 1862. Burleigh was involved in recruiting troops in his home state about this time, he would later see service in South Carolina and Virginia. In May of 1864 he was disciplined for allowing his men to retreat “in a disgraceful manner” and not rally them to retake positions lost on the line between the Appomattox and the James River in advance of Bermuda landing, Virginia. (May 22, 1864) Burleigh would be court martialed for this action and he was cashiered out of the service; however years later the US Senate and House of Representatives would recognize Burleigh as being honorably discharged from the 4th NH Infantry. SIZE: 30-1/2″ blade. CONDITION: Blade is bright and in excellent condition retaining most of the original luster with some areas of black staining. Brass hilt, pommel and scabbard mounts retain 80-90% of their original gilt. Silver grip has several scattered small scratches. Shark skin scabbard body is sound and complete. Casing shows wear and several holes to silk and velvet. Exterior of case has large 3″ crack in wood body at top. Decorated leather cover shows numerous scuffs, tears and stained areas. 4-39983 JS57 (20,000-25,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2010 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;}