OUTSTANDING HIGH-GRADE AMES PRESENTATION SWORD OF LOUISIANA GENERAL CHARLES LABUZAN.

OUTSTANDING HIGH-GRADE AMES PRESENTATION SWORD OF LOUISIANA GENERAL CHARLES LABUZAN. Sword is of the highest quality made by the preeminent American sword maker of its time, N. P. Ames, of Springfield, Massachusetts. Hilt and mounts are sterling or coin silver. American swords made of precious metal are rare and desirable and generally reserved for state and congressional presentations. Grip is ebony wood with inset silver and mother-of-pearl. The use of inset ebony is rare in Ames swords; one well-known example is the Kentucky Giant’s sword of James Porter pictured in Hamilton’s Ames book. The sword exhibits numerous unique features of the highest quality and design. This was a custom designed sword and there is nothing else like it ever made. This is indeed the only Ames sword known with a true colichemarde blade. Colichemarde blades originated in 18th century France, and were thought to be the best blades of their day. (See Peterson, American Swords). Cruciform guard is decorated with seashells terminating upward into a flaming bomb. The top of the guard is engraved “Orleans Grenadiers”. Presentation languet shield is surrounded by flags, weapons, and stars with a large spread wing eagle above the shield which reads “Presented to Captain C. A. Labuzan by the members of the Orleans Grenadiers, January 24, 1841”. The pommel is Knights head with highly detailed foliate decoration. Top of pommel is engraved “Capt. Labuzan”. Blade is colichemarde and finely engraved. Triangular colichemarde blades are rare in American swords and since they originated in France and New Orleans had so much French influence; the Orleans Grenadiers must have specifically asked for this French inspired blade. Blade is decorated with flaming bombs, patriotic shields, sprays of arms, and Indian with Tomahawk raised, eagle surmounted with stars and “liberty”, and an eagle holding a ribbon, which reads “Grenadiers d’Orleans”. Scabbard is form-fitted, brass-covered with leather, which is flaking and partially missing. This leather can be restored easily and aesthetically. The long silver drag is finely engraved with foliate decoration terminating in a “flaming bomb.” Throat is finely engraved with a frog button decorated with two flags and a liberty cap. Throat is also engraved “Capt. C. A. Labuzan, O.G.”. General Charles Labuzan’s obituary appears in the first column of the front page of the New Orleans Picayune on June 30, 1869: “Gen’l Labuzan reached quite a ripe age during the whole of his life . . . he served in the Mexican war . . . began prominently connected with the volunteer military companies of the city and was captain of that favorite one, the Continental Guards, and in the organization of state troops in 1861, became Brigadier General under Governor Moore.” On the front page of the New Orleans Picayune (Jan 26, 1841) the story of the presentation of the sword appears . . . “Urbain Plauche, a veteran of 14-15, one of the remaining heroes of our glorious eighth of January, and the oldest of the Grenadiers was selected to present the sword”. Labuzan in his acceptance speech “ . . . so long as I am associated with the Orleans Grenadiers in any capacity whatsoever, it shall be my highest pride, as well as my cherished delight, to make any improvement in their ranks, to enhance their reputation as men, and their glory as soldiers.” The paper further states “the sword is of exquisite workmanship, “very dear to fancy, very responsive to the hilt, of more delicate carriage and very liberal conceit” it was made in Springfield, Mass by N. P. Ames, and he is every way worthy to be looked upon with pride as a specimen of native manufacturer. The blade is “of the ice-brook’s temper”. The hilt is of inlaid ebony, held in chased and engraved ornamental work of solid silver . . . a more tasty and elegant affair would hardly be conceived. We venture to say no enemy of America will ever wish to die by more beautiful weapon, or by a braver hand than the one in which it has been placed.” CONDITION: Blade is gray/bright with scattered black staining, however, etched panels are all distinct and discernable. About a two-inch piece of silver wire is missing from obverse sword handle. Silver mounts and hilt exhibit black oxidation in recessed areas. High areas appear polished. Brass scabbard body is missing about 50% of its orig white leather covering. 8-76159 JS12 (75,000-85,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2007

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
	258	$0.00	OUTSTANDING HIGH-GRADE AMES PRESENTATION SWORD OF LOUISIANA GENERAL CHARLES LABUZAN. Sword is of the highest quality made by the preeminent American sword maker of its time, N. P. Ames, of Springfield, Massachusetts. Hilt and mounts are sterling or coin silver. American swords made of precious metal are rare and desirable and generally reserved for state and congressional presentations. Grip is ebony wood with inset silver and mother-of-pearl. The use of inset ebony is rare in Ames swords; one well-known example is the Kentucky Giant’s sword of James Porter pictured in Hamilton’s Ames book. The sword exhibits numerous unique features of the highest quality and design. This was a custom designed sword and there is nothing else like it ever made. This is indeed the only Ames sword known with a true colichemarde blade. Colichemarde blades originated in 18th century France, and were thought to be the best blades of their day. (See Peterson, American Swords). Cruciform guard is decorated with seashells terminating upward into a flaming bomb. The top of the guard is engraved “Orleans Grenadiers”. Presentation languet shield is surrounded by flags, weapons, and stars with a large spread wing eagle above the shield which reads “Presented to Captain C. A. Labuzan by the members of the Orleans Grenadiers, January 24, 1841”. The pommel is Knights head with highly detailed foliate decoration. Top of pommel is engraved “Capt. Labuzan”. Blade is colichemarde and finely engraved. Triangular colichemarde blades are rare in American swords and since they originated in France and New Orleans had so much French influence; the Orleans Grenadiers must have specifically asked for this French inspired blade. Blade is decorated with flaming bombs, patriotic shields, sprays of arms, and Indian with Tomahawk raised, eagle surmounted with stars and “liberty”, and an eagle holding a ribbon, which reads “Grenadiers d’Orleans”. Scabbard is form-fitted, brass-covered with leather, which is flaking and partially missing. This leather can be restored easily and aesthetically. The long silver drag is finely engraved with foliate decoration terminating in a “flaming bomb.” Throat is finely engraved with a frog button decorated with two flags and a liberty cap. Throat is also engraved “Capt. C. A. Labuzan, O.G.”. General Charles Labuzan’s obituary appears in the first column of the front page of the New Orleans Picayune on June 30, 1869: “Gen’l Labuzan reached quite a ripe age during the whole of his life . . . he served in the Mexican war . . . began prominently connected with the volunteer military companies of the city and was captain of that favorite one, the Continental Guards, and in the organization of state troops in 1861, became Brigadier General under Governor Moore.” On the front page of the New Orleans Picayune (Jan 26, 1841) the story of the presentation of the sword appears . . . “Urbain Plauche, a veteran of 14-15, one of the remaining heroes of our glorious eighth of January, and the oldest of the Grenadiers was selected to present the sword”. Labuzan in his acceptance speech “ . . . so long as I am associated with the Orleans Grenadiers in any capacity whatsoever, it shall be my highest pride, as well as my cherished delight, to make any improvement in their ranks, to enhance their reputation as men, and their glory as soldiers.” The paper further states “the sword is of exquisite workmanship, “very dear to fancy, very responsive to the hilt, of more delicate carriage and very liberal conceit” it was made in Springfield, Mass by N. P. Ames, and he is every way worthy to be looked upon with pride as a specimen of native manufacturer. The blade is “of the ice-brook’s temper”. The hilt is of inlaid ebony, held in chased and engraved ornamental work of solid silver . . . a more tasty and elegant affair would hardly be conceived. We venture to say no enemy of America will ever wish to die by more beautiful weapon, or by a braver hand than the one in which it has been placed.” CONDITION: Blade is gray/bright with scattered black staining, however, etched panels are all distinct and discernable. About a two-inch piece of silver wire is missing from obverse sword handle. Silver mounts and hilt exhibit black oxidation in recessed areas. High areas appear polished. Brass scabbard body is missing about 50% of its orig white leather covering. 8-76159 JS12 (75,000-85,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2007 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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