INSCRIBED STAFF AND FIELD OFFICER’S SWORD TO COLONEL (BVT. BRIGADIER GENERAL) JAMES L. SELFRIDGE 46TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS ALONG WITH HIS POST WAR DRESS SWORD.

INSCRIBED STAFF AND FIELD OFFICER’S SWORD TO COLONEL (BVT. BRIGADIER GENERAL) JAMES L. SELFRIDGE 46TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS ALONG WITH HIS POST WAR DRESS SWORD. 1) A wonderful and historic inscribed US regulation Model 1851 staff and field officer’s sword with the following inscription: “Presented to/Lieut. Col. James L. Selfridge/By his friends of Bethlehem Penn/To his Gallantry and Bravery in/the Defense of the Flag of his/Country September 10 1862/46 Reg. Penna Vol”. The sword of regulation form has a 32” lightly curved sgl edged blade, which with etching across 60% of its surface. The blade is unsigned, of European manufacture, stamped “P.D.L.” in an oval cartouche on the ricasso. The etching incorporates an American eagle, US and military and floral motifs. The hilt is of cast brass, the floral half basket counterguard incorporating “US.” Sgl branch knuckle bow terminating at a cast brass pommel. The grip is of wood covered in sharkskin with twisted copper wire wrap. Attached is Selfridge’s gilt cloth and braid officer’s sword knot. Scabbard is of steel with engraved sheet brass mounts and cast carrying rings having an oak leaf pattern. The inscription is found on the front face of the top mount. CONDITION: Very good. Blade has areas of discoloration from rust, in particular near the ricasso. Hilt has a medium yellow patina and is uncleaned. Grip is fine with traces of old polish, now turned white. Scabbard has aged to a plum brown patina. Mounts are dark and unpolished. Sword knot is faded from age but fully intact. 2) Accompanying this sword is Selfridge’s US Model 1860 Staff and Field officer’s sword having a 30” narrow dbl-edged blade, diamond in cross section with etched designs across 30% of its surface, having floral designs, US, and the motto “E. Pluribus Unum.” The blade has a cryptic maker’s mark. The hilt is of cast brass in a dbl clamshell pattern. The front side having a cast stand of flags with a spread winged eagle and two five-pointed stars. The reverse folds downward and is decorated with a simple scallop-edged engraving. Sgl branch knuckle bow with a cast floral pattern terminating at a cast brass pommel, having a spread winged eagle on the front and a shield on the reverse. The grip is of cast silver having a stippled pattern and tiny five-pointed stars cast across the surface throughout. It is wrapped in finely twisted silver wire. The scabbard is of brass, silver-plated with a brass throat, two carrying rings, and a drag with floral engraving. CONDITION: Good. Blade shows areas of heavy surface rust near the tip and light staining elsewhere. Hilt is dirty and uncleaned. Scabbard is tarnished. Area between the top and middle mount has the silver-plating worn away and the throat is loose. James L. Selfridge studied law in Allentown, Pennsylvania and worked for his father’s transportation company in Philadelphia. In 1857, he moved to Bethlehem where he was engaged in the coal and real estate business. He mustered into service on April 20, 1861 as Captain, Co. A, 1st PA Inf. (3 months), the “Washington Grays”. Following their 3-month service, the regiment became the 46th Regiment PA Vol. Inf. on August 8, 1861. He was appointed Lt. Col. of the regiment. During the Antietam Campaign, (presumably the occasion after which his friends in Bethlehem, PA sought to honor him with the presentation sword) he was in command of the 46th PA after his commanding officer, Col. Knipe took command of the brigade on September 17, 1862. In his after action report, Col. Knipe stated “…I can cheerfully bear testimony to the bearing of Lieutenant – Colonel-Selfridge. He displayed coolness and a bravery that distinguished the true soldier, and is worthy of promotion”. He was promoted to Col. on May 10, 1863 and served as the Brigade Commander for the 1st Div. 1st Brigade 12th Army Corps. on Sherman’s March to the Sea. In his command were the 5th CT, 123rd NY, 141st NY, and the 46th PA. During his term of service, the 46th PA Inf. under his command engaged in the following battles: Winchester, Strasburg, Front Royal, Culpeper, Cedar Mountain, Pope’s Campaign, Antietam, “Mud March,” Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. At the end of their term of service in April 1864, the entire regiment reenlisted and were moved to the Western Theater and fought at Atlanta, Resaca, New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain, Siege of Atlanta, Sherman’s March to the Sea, Savannah, Bentonville, the surrender of Confederate General Johnson, and the Grand Review in Washington, D.C. He was honored with a Brevet Brigadier General’s Commission on March 13, 1865 and was honorably mustered out on July 16, 1865. Following the war, he was elected Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives of PA and returned to Philadelphia and became the proprietor of the Lehigh Cement Co. He continued his military service to the state, being appointed by the governor as Maj. Gen. of the 7th Div. PA Nat. Guard. 4-57268 (15,000-20,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2005

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
	3301	$0.00	INSCRIBED STAFF AND FIELD OFFICER’S SWORD TO COLONEL (BVT. BRIGADIER GENERAL) JAMES L. SELFRIDGE 46TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS ALONG WITH HIS POST WAR DRESS SWORD. 1) A wonderful and historic inscribed US regulation Model 1851 staff and field officer’s sword with the following inscription: “Presented to/Lieut. Col. James L. Selfridge/By his friends of Bethlehem Penn/To his Gallantry and Bravery in/the Defense of the Flag of his/Country September 10 1862/46 Reg. Penna Vol”. The sword of regulation form has a 32” lightly curved sgl edged blade, which with etching across 60% of its surface. The blade is unsigned, of European manufacture, stamped “P.D.L.” in an oval cartouche on the ricasso. The etching incorporates an American eagle, US and military and floral motifs. The hilt is of cast brass, the floral half basket counterguard incorporating “US.” Sgl branch knuckle bow terminating at a cast brass pommel. The grip is of wood covered in sharkskin with twisted copper wire wrap. Attached is Selfridge’s gilt cloth and braid officer’s sword knot. Scabbard is of steel with engraved sheet brass mounts and cast carrying rings having an oak leaf pattern. The inscription is found on the front face of the top mount. CONDITION: Very good. Blade has areas of discoloration from rust, in particular near the ricasso. Hilt has a medium yellow patina and is uncleaned. Grip is fine with traces of old polish, now turned white. Scabbard has aged to a plum brown patina. Mounts are dark and unpolished. Sword knot is faded from age but fully intact. 2) Accompanying this sword is Selfridge’s US Model 1860 Staff and Field officer’s sword having a 30” narrow dbl-edged blade, diamond in cross section with etched designs across 30% of its surface, having floral designs, US, and the motto “E. Pluribus Unum.” The blade has a cryptic maker’s mark. The hilt is of cast brass in a dbl clamshell pattern. The front side having a cast stand of flags with a spread winged eagle and two five-pointed stars. The reverse folds downward and is decorated with a simple scallop-edged engraving. Sgl branch knuckle bow with a cast floral pattern terminating at a cast brass pommel, having a spread winged eagle on the front and a shield on the reverse. The grip is of cast silver having a stippled pattern and tiny five-pointed stars cast across the surface throughout. It is wrapped in finely twisted silver wire. The scabbard is of brass, silver-plated with a brass throat, two carrying rings, and a drag with floral engraving. CONDITION: Good. Blade shows areas of heavy surface rust near the tip and light staining elsewhere. Hilt is dirty and uncleaned. Scabbard is tarnished. Area between the top and middle mount has the silver-plating worn away and the throat is loose. James L. Selfridge studied law in Allentown, Pennsylvania and worked for his father’s transportation company in Philadelphia. In 1857, he moved to Bethlehem where he was engaged in the coal and real estate business. He mustered into service on April 20, 1861 as Captain, Co. A, 1st PA Inf. (3 months), the “Washington Grays”. Following their 3-month service, the regiment became the 46th Regiment PA Vol. Inf. on August 8, 1861. He was appointed Lt. Col. of the regiment. During the Antietam Campaign, (presumably the occasion after which his friends in Bethlehem, PA sought to honor him with the presentation sword) he was in command of the 46th PA after his commanding officer, Col. Knipe took command of the brigade on September 17, 1862. In his after action report, Col. Knipe stated “…I can cheerfully bear testimony to the bearing of Lieutenant – Colonel-Selfridge. He displayed coolness and a bravery that distinguished the true soldier, and is worthy of promotion”. He was promoted to Col. on May 10, 1863 and served as the Brigade Commander for the 1st Div. 1st Brigade 12th Army Corps. on Sherman’s March to the Sea. In his command were the 5th CT, 123rd NY, 141st NY, and the 46th PA. During his term of service, the 46th PA Inf. under his command engaged in the following battles: Winchester, Strasburg, Front Royal, Culpeper, Cedar Mountain, Pope’s Campaign, Antietam, “Mud March,” Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. At the end of their term of service in April 1864, the entire regiment reenlisted and were moved to the Western Theater and fought at Atlanta, Resaca, New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain, Siege of Atlanta, Sherman’s March to the Sea, Savannah, Bentonville, the surrender of Confederate General Johnson, and the Grand Review in Washington, D.C. He was honored with a Brevet Brigadier General’s Commission on March 13, 1865 and was honorably mustered out on July 16, 1865. Following the war, he was elected Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives of PA and returned to Philadelphia and became the proprietor of the Lehigh Cement Co. He continued his military service to the state, being appointed by the governor as Maj. Gen. of the 7th Div. PA Nat. Guard. 4-57268 (15,000-20,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2005 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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