CIVIL WAR JEWELED HIGH GRADE GILDED AND SILVER PLATED INSCRIBED PRESENTATION MODEL 1850 STAFF AND FIELD OFFICER’S SWORD, WISCONSIN HEAVY ARTILLERY.

CIVIL WAR JEWELED HIGH GRADE GILDED AND SILVER PLATED INSCRIBED PRESENTATION MODEL 1850 STAFF AND FIELD OFFICER’S SWORD, WISCONSIN HEAVY ARTILLERY. A significant and historic sword presented to Captain Spear, 1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery. The German made sword is of the highest quality having a 31.5″ single edged blade with etched and engraved decoration with gold wash over 60% of the surface. The decorations include a fancy intertwined “U.S.” a rampant American eagle, floral and military trophies and a large panel with the motto SEMPER PARATUS inscribed on one side. The decorated portion of the blade is gold washed. The hilt is regulation style with a half basket guard having heavily cast oak leaf and acorn patterns, with “U.S.” decoratively intertwined with the foliage. The quillon form is a down turned eaglehead. The heavily cast pommel has one large red jewel and sixteen small round red jewels around the cap. The grip is silver with triple wire wrap. The scabbard is steel, silver plated with gilt cast brass furniture cast in high relief. The top mount is decorated with a spread winged eagle, shields and oak leaves, the middle mount with military trophies and oak leaves and the drag with a standing Union sergeant wearing pantaloons and a stand of flags. The reverse side of the scabbard furniture is engraved and embossed. A panel on the face of the top scabbard mount is inscribed: Presented to/Wm. M. Spear/Co. A, 1st Wis’n H. Art’y Indpt by/the Members of His Comp./as a token of their regard &/esteem for him as a gentleman/& a soldier/Battery Rogers/March 24th 1865. Captain Wallace (note: abbreviated “Wm.” on sword inscription) M. Spear served as the Captain of Co. A throughout the term of service for this regiment. Mustered originally as Co. K, 2nd Wisconsin Infantry, these officers and enlistedmen were transferred to Co. A, 1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery in December 1861. Some of the companies of this regiment served as independent batteries. Company (or Battery) A was permanently separated from the regiment as an independent battery serving their entire term in the defenses of Washington D.C. This extremely attractive and high grade presentation sword was presented in the field at Battery Rogers in Washington D.C. some 6-months prior to this Battery being mustered out. CONDITION: Very good. The blade is bright with minor spotting. Approximately 90% of its gold wash remains. The hilt is very strong, with wear to the gilt in high places overall retaining about 60% of its gilt. The pommel cap retains all of its jewels, the large one in the cap, however, has a deep fracture and chip. The grip is fine and uncleaned. The silver plated scabbard is tarnished, the furniture retains about 70% of its gold wash. There are no dents or heavy scratches. A beautiful example of the German sword maker’s art presented to a Wisconsin unit who served faithfully protecting the Union Capitol during most of the Civil War. 4-48556 CW05 (10,000-15,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2003

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
	492	$17,250.00	CIVIL WAR JEWELED HIGH GRADE GILDED AND SILVER PLATED INSCRIBED PRESENTATION MODEL 1850 STAFF AND FIELD OFFICER’S SWORD, WISCONSIN HEAVY ARTILLERY. A significant and historic sword presented to Captain Spear, 1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery. The German made sword is of the highest quality having a 31.5″ single edged blade with etched and engraved decoration with gold wash over 60% of the surface. The decorations include a fancy intertwined “U.S.” a rampant American eagle, floral and military trophies and a large panel with the motto SEMPER PARATUS inscribed on one side. The decorated portion of the blade is gold washed. The hilt is regulation style with a half basket guard having heavily cast oak leaf and acorn patterns, with “U.S.” decoratively intertwined with the foliage. The quillon form is a down turned eaglehead. The heavily cast pommel has one large red jewel and sixteen small round red jewels around the cap. The grip is silver with triple wire wrap. The scabbard is steel, silver plated with gilt cast brass furniture cast in high relief. The top mount is decorated with a spread winged eagle, shields and oak leaves, the middle mount with military trophies and oak leaves and the drag with a standing Union sergeant wearing pantaloons and a stand of flags. The reverse side of the scabbard furniture is engraved and embossed. A panel on the face of the top scabbard mount is inscribed: Presented to/Wm. M. Spear/Co. A, 1st Wis’n H. Art’y Indpt by/the Members of His Comp./as a token of their regard &/esteem for him as a gentleman/& a soldier/Battery Rogers/March 24th 1865. Captain Wallace (note: abbreviated “Wm.” on sword inscription) M. Spear served as the Captain of Co. A throughout the term of service for this regiment. Mustered originally as Co. K, 2nd Wisconsin Infantry, these officers and enlistedmen were transferred to Co. A, 1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery in December 1861. Some of the companies of this regiment served as independent batteries. Company (or Battery) A was permanently separated from the regiment as an independent battery serving their entire term in the defenses of Washington D.C. This extremely attractive and high grade presentation sword was presented in the field at Battery Rogers in Washington D.C. some 6-months prior to this Battery being mustered out. CONDITION: Very good. The blade is bright with minor spotting. Approximately 90% of its gold wash remains. The hilt is very strong, with wear to the gilt in high places overall retaining about 60% of its gilt. The pommel cap retains all of its jewels, the large one in the cap, however, has a deep fracture and chip. The grip is fine and uncleaned. The silver plated scabbard is tarnished, the furniture retains about 70% of its gold wash. There are no dents or heavy scratches. A beautiful example of the German sword maker’s art presented to a Wisconsin unit who served faithfully protecting the Union Capitol during most of the Civil War. 4-48556 CW05 (10,000-15,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2003 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;}