HIGH GRADE STAFF OFFICER’S SWORD BELONGING TO BVT. BRIG. GEN. FRANCIS HEATH, 19TH MAINE INFANTRY.

HIGH GRADE STAFF OFFICER’S SWORD BELONGING TO BVT. BRIG. GEN. FRANCIS HEATH, 19TH MAINE INFANTRY. You are bidding on a very ornate Model 1850 Staff & Field officer’s sword sold by Schuler, Hartley & Graham of New York. The 30-1/2″ blade is a German import retailed and marked “SCHULER HARTLEY & GRAHAM NEW YORK”. 17″ etched panels on either side of blade show various American military motifs. The hilt and pommel exhibit more relief floral decoration than seen in the standard pattern. Heath’s initials appear in script in an oval panel on pommel. The scabbard mounts are exceptional and have full coverage front and back of exquisite engraving as can be seen in photos. A most unusual vignette shows an angel flying by an eagle perched on a patriotic shield on the lower portion of throat. The drag exhibits a wonderful Jeff Davis style eagle in an oval frame. The drag blade has cast patriotic designs including American flags and patriotic shield. We have never seen a drag blade cast with such design before. General Heath started service as a lieutenant in the 3rd Maine Infantry in April of 1861. He left this unit late in 1861 and became a major in the 13th Maine Infantry. Late in 1862 he was lieutenant colonel and later colonel of the 19th Maine Infantry. The 19th Maine was involved in most major battles of the Army of the Potomac culminating at the Battle of Gettysburg in July, 1863. Here the 19th Maine was in the thick of it. In Col. Heath’s report of July 4th he talks of heavy casualties (The 19th had a total loss of 216 of the 439 men present at the beginning of the battle!). Even with losing half of his men Heath’s troops captured quite a number of prisoners and retook four Napoleon cannons that had been abandoned by overrun Union forces. Heath’s command also captured two Confederate flags. Accompanying this sword are numerous reports and history of Heath during the war. There is also an auction receipt from 1977 showing the purchase of this sword and other Heath estate material sold by Colby College. SIZE: 30-1/2″ blade. CONDITION: Blade is bright/gray. Etched panels are deep and all discernible with scattered areas of staining and light pitting. Shark skin grip is intact with a few small chips. Twisted copper wire is complete. Hilt and scabbard mounts have been cleaned showing traces of gilt in protected areas. The accompanying sword knot overall is very good and complete. Scabbard body shows several repairs to stitching and has been recolored black overall. 4-39537 JS22 (12,000-15,000)

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
	2397	$0.00	HIGH GRADE STAFF OFFICER’S SWORD BELONGING TO BVT. BRIG. GEN. FRANCIS HEATH, 19TH MAINE INFANTRY. You are bidding on a very ornate Model 1850 Staff & Field officer’s sword sold by Schuler, Hartley & Graham of New York. The 30-1/2″ blade is a German import retailed and marked “SCHULER HARTLEY & GRAHAM NEW YORK”. 17″ etched panels on either side of blade show various American military motifs. The hilt and pommel exhibit more relief floral decoration than seen in the standard pattern. Heath’s initials appear in script in an oval panel on pommel. The scabbard mounts are exceptional and have full coverage front and back of exquisite engraving as can be seen in photos. A most unusual vignette shows an angel flying by an eagle perched on a patriotic shield on the lower portion of throat. The drag exhibits a wonderful Jeff Davis style eagle in an oval frame. The drag blade has cast patriotic designs including American flags and patriotic shield. We have never seen a drag blade cast with such design before. General Heath started service as a lieutenant in the 3rd Maine Infantry in April of 1861. He left this unit late in 1861 and became a major in the 13th Maine Infantry. Late in 1862 he was lieutenant colonel and later colonel of the 19th Maine Infantry. The 19th Maine was involved in most major battles of the Army of the Potomac culminating at the Battle of Gettysburg in July, 1863. Here the 19th Maine was in the thick of it. In Col. Heath’s report of July 4th he talks of heavy casualties (The 19th had a total loss of 216 of the 439 men present at the beginning of the battle!). Even with losing half of his men Heath’s troops captured quite a number of prisoners and retook four Napoleon cannons that had been abandoned by overrun Union forces. Heath’s command also captured two Confederate flags. Accompanying this sword are numerous reports and history of Heath during the war. There is also an auction receipt from 1977 showing the purchase of this sword and other Heath estate material sold by Colby College. SIZE: 30-1/2″ blade. CONDITION: Blade is bright/gray. Etched panels are deep and all discernible with scattered areas of staining and light pitting. Shark skin grip is intact with a few small chips. Twisted copper wire is complete. Hilt and scabbard mounts have been cleaned showing traces of gilt in protected areas. The accompanying sword knot overall is very good and complete. Scabbard body shows several repairs to stitching and has been recolored black overall. 4-39537 JS22 (12,000-15,000) 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.

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