RARE BOYLE, GAMBLE & MCFEE CAVALRY SABER CAPTURED BY OHIO DRUMMER BOY.

RARE BOYLE, GAMBLE & MCFEE CAVALRY SABER CAPTURED BY OHIO DRUMMER BOY. You are bidding on a Boyle, Gamble & McFee cavalry sword with rarely found orig leather scabbard. As seen in photo, scabbard is complete though missing middle mount and drag. This scarce sword is in very fine condition. The blade is still bright and uncleaned. Scabbard is sound and supple and old paint reads “CSA saber captured by E.P. Rettig Co. H Ohio V.V”. Hilt and grip of this sword are also excellent, the grip retaining almost all orig leather and wire. The hilt, pommel and surviving scabbard mount all have nice matching patina. Also in this grouping is a small Sheffield Bowie knife with “E.P. Rettig Co. 4” nicely scrimshawed into one of the horn grips. Also accompanying group is a letter written by Rettig not long before he died that talks of his regiment, the 8th Ohio, capturing prisoners and arms. This sword and knife and letter were on display in the Confederate’s States Armory Museum from 1992 – 1999. Private Edward P. Rettig enlisted in Company “H”, 8th Ohio volunteers, in Media, Ohio, on the 6trh day of June, 1861. He was 18 years old at the time and had been working in his German-born father’s (John A. Rettig) harness shop before his three-year enlistment in the Union Army. Private Rettig was to die at home, from a fever contracted in the service, just three months later, on September 6th, 1861. He had been stationed at Camp Pendleton, Maryland, where he became ill and was furloughed home. His friend, comrade and school mate Charles Manville brought Edward home where he died. Private Rettig wrote his mother, Caroline Rettig, from his first duty station, Camp McClintock, Maryland. Although he personally had seen no action, Rettig, a typical youth trying to impress his mother, wrote that, “wee have taken 50 or 60 prisoners and lots of guns an ammunition….and killed 5 of the rebbles and….southern troops are the Bigest set of cowards…” His letter was written on July 23rd, 1861.” These artifacts were all purchased from descendants of Rettig as a unit and have accompanying letters and depositions to provenance. This sword alone is a great rarity and with all the added history it will make a great addition to any collection. PROVENANCE: Fred Edmunds Collection. CONDITION: Blade is bright/gray with scattered areas of staining, some small nicks in cutting edge. Leather grip is 95% intact with small areas of chipping, scuffing and wear at high areas. Orig iron wire wrap is tight and intact. One branch of hilt bent in slightly. Brass hilt and pommel are uncleaned and exhibit rich patina. Scabbard body is sound with scattered areas of flaking and scuffing. 4-37584 JS27 (15,000-18,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2009

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
	2482	$13,800.00	RARE BOYLE, GAMBLE & MCFEE CAVALRY SABER CAPTURED BY OHIO DRUMMER BOY. You are bidding on a Boyle, Gamble & McFee cavalry sword with rarely found orig leather scabbard. As seen in photo, scabbard is complete though missing middle mount and drag. This scarce sword is in very fine condition. The blade is still bright and uncleaned. Scabbard is sound and supple and old paint reads “CSA saber captured by E.P. Rettig Co. H Ohio V.V”. Hilt and grip of this sword are also excellent, the grip retaining almost all orig leather and wire. The hilt, pommel and surviving scabbard mount all have nice matching patina. Also in this grouping is a small Sheffield Bowie knife with “E.P. Rettig Co. 4” nicely scrimshawed into one of the horn grips. Also accompanying group is a letter written by Rettig not long before he died that talks of his regiment, the 8th Ohio, capturing prisoners and arms. This sword and knife and letter were on display in the Confederate’s States Armory Museum from 1992 – 1999. Private Edward P. Rettig enlisted in Company “H”, 8th Ohio volunteers, in Media, Ohio, on the 6trh day of June, 1861. He was 18 years old at the time and had been working in his German-born father’s (John A. Rettig) harness shop before his three-year enlistment in the Union Army. Private Rettig was to die at home, from a fever contracted in the service, just three months later, on September 6th, 1861. He had been stationed at Camp Pendleton, Maryland, where he became ill and was furloughed home. His friend, comrade and school mate Charles Manville brought Edward home where he died. Private Rettig wrote his mother, Caroline Rettig, from his first duty station, Camp McClintock, Maryland. Although he personally had seen no action, Rettig, a typical youth trying to impress his mother, wrote that, “wee have taken 50 or 60 prisoners and lots of guns an ammunition….and killed 5 of the rebbles and….southern troops are the Bigest set of cowards…” His letter was written on July 23rd, 1861.” These artifacts were all purchased from descendants of Rettig as a unit and have accompanying letters and depositions to provenance. This sword alone is a great rarity and with all the added history it will make a great addition to any collection. PROVENANCE: Fred Edmunds Collection. CONDITION: Blade is bright/gray with scattered areas of staining, some small nicks in cutting edge. Leather grip is 95% intact with small areas of chipping, scuffing and wear at high areas. Orig iron wire wrap is tight and intact. One branch of hilt bent in slightly. Brass hilt and pommel are uncleaned and exhibit rich patina. Scabbard body is sound with scattered areas of flaking and scuffing. 4-37584 JS27 (15,000-18,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2009 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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