MAGNIFICENT AND HISTORIC CIVIL WAR MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL OFFICERS SWORD BY AMES-TO BRIGADIER GENERAL HENRY LAWRENCE EUSTIS-10TH MASS.

MAGNIFICENT AND HISTORIC CIVIL WAR MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL OFFICERS SWORD BY AMES-TO BRIGADIER GENERAL HENRY LAWRENCE EUSTIS-10TH MASS. An important unique presentation U.S. Model 1860 Staff & Field Officer’s Sword by Ames of the highest grade. The only other sculpted hilt Ames swords of the Civil War period known were those of General U.S. Grant and the sword of General Jesse Reno (sold by James D. Julia in 2001 for $109,000). Of great significance is the similarity to the U.S. Grant sword, which is the most famous and important of all Ames swords (Hamilton, pg. 169), which was designed by master sculpture John Q. A. Ward of New York. All 3 of these swords, Eustis, Reno and Grant, have floral decorated shell guards with the General’s initials. This sword, like Reno’s and Grant’s, is totally custom made. Most features are unique and not seen on any other sword. There is no higher quality in Ames swords.

The sword is a variant pattern of the U.S. Model 1860 Staff & Field Officers sword and was made by the Ames Mfg. Co. The blade is straight, double edged, with a central fuller and measures 31” long. Bold etching covers 95% of the blade’s length. A very rare and unusual feature for an American sword. In fact, if the blade were not signed “Ames Manf. Co., Chicopee, Mass”, its maker would be unknown, as this quality of fine, profuse etching has not been previously encountered in other Ames swords. The etching incorporates Victorian floral designs, an American shield, intertwined “US,” and classical stands of arms. At the ricasso the blade is signed, “Ames Mfg. Co./Chicopee, Mass.” The hilt is gold washed cast brass in high relief. The clamshell counterguard is edged with rococo scrolls of the finest qualityand has Eustis’ initials intertwined in gold. The reverse clamshell is diminutive and undecorated. The quillion is a unique design of a Roman warrior’s head with helmet. The face of the warrior appears to be that of Eustis himself!! (To our knowledge, this head does not appear on any other Ames sword). The single knucklebow is highly decorated on the obverse with an American shield, traditional Roman armor and arms and a cameo relief head of a Union soldier in Bummer kepi in an oval cartouche, again with the same image of Eustis himself? This knucklebow is identical to another unique solid gold Ames sword presented to Franklin Pierce by the state of New Hampshire in 1849 (see John Hamilton, p. 97, “Ames Sword Company”. The only difference being the lack of the oval cameo of Eustis. The Pierce sword has a plain undecorated oval). The pommel is a Roman warrior’s head with crested helmet and again in Eustis’ image. The grip, which is identical to the Reno sword, is unseen elsewhere, having white sharkskin banded in a gilted geometric pattern on wire. Equally magnificent is the scabbard, which is gold plated and signed by Ames on the reverse near the throat. The mounts and profuse engraving are again some of the finest found on an Ames sword. The top mount has two carrying rings and represents a sunburst and acanthus leaf spray with a Greek God’s face in the center. The middle mount is similar, however, the Indian figure from the Massachusetts state seal is imposed in the center. The drag is decorated with a stand of flags and also framed as the previous two are. In addition to these cast elements applied to the scabbard body, approximately 30% of the scabbard is decorated with engraved military trophies.

Between the top and middle mount is the General’s name “H.L. EUSTIS” in large block letters. To the top and bottom, intertwined with floral engraving is a ribbon reading: “Presented to Brigadier General [H.L. EUSTIS] by the 10th Mass Infantry”. This inscription is in the most deluxe style!

The sword is accompanied by its original wooden presentation case with the script initials “HLE” in nicely engraved, solid, sheet-silver inlaid in the cover. The case retains its original blue velvet lining and is fitted with a hinged lidded compartment, which contains a wine-red fringed silk sash.

Henry Eustis was a brilliant man, educated at Harvard and West Point and instructor of engineering of both. Generals Newton and Sedgwick both praised him in their reports from the Chancellorville Campaign for “gallant service”.

Eustis was born in Fort Independence, Boston, Massachusetts on February 1, 1819, the son of Brigadier General Abraham Eustis an officer in the garrison for whom Fort Eustis, Virginia was named. Also named after him is the village of “Eustis” in Northwestern Maine. He attended Harvard, graduated in 1838, and went to West Point, graduating first in his class of 56 in 1842 ahead of such notable classmates as Richard Anderson, Abner Doubleday, A. P. Stewart, D. H. Hill, James Longstreet, Lafayette McLaws, John Newton, John B. Kurtz, George Sykes and Earl Van Dorn.

Eustis could choose his appointment, by virtue of his class ranking, and elected to go into the engineers. He served on projects along the east coast, including the construction of Fort Warren in Boston Harbor. He also spent two years (1847-1849) as an instructor of engineering at West Point. In 1849 he resigned to become professor of engineering at the new Lawrence Scientific School of Harvard.

In August of 1862 Eustis became Colonel of the 10th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Eustis was in temporary command of the brigade (at the time the Second Brigade, Third Division, Sixth Corps) for a month before receiving permanent command and promotion to Brigadier General (USV) in September 1863. In the regimental history of the Tenth Massachusetts Infantry it is cited that the men of the Tenth Massachusetts raised $300 towards the purchase of this great sword, sash, and belt, which they presented to Eustis at Brandy Station on February 19, 1864. He led his brigade at Fredericksburg (after Colonel Brown of the Thirty-sixth New York was wounded), Marye’s Heights, Salem Heights, Gettysburg, Rappahannock Station, Mine Run and the Wilderness.

Eustis apparently used and became addicted to opium. He resigned on June 27, 1864, one week after the Tenth Massachusetts left for home, citing reasons of “ill health”. Eustis returned to his professorship at Harvard, authoring a number of technical and scientific articles. He died on January 11, 1885, and is buried in Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge.

CONDITION: Sword and scabbard are excellent. The blade exhibits its factory frosty etching over all with no flaws. The hilt retains about 100% of its bright gold wash, as does the scabbard. Only a few small dark, age spots appear. The carrying ring is missing from the middle scabbard mount. The hilt, particularly the pommel, could be tightened. The sash is worn and the silk is brittle with deterioration, especially at the fringe. The case is missing the lock and escutcheon and has some scuffs. There are some cracks in the bottom panel and some joints are loose, but the wood is all present. This is a unique opportunity to acquire one of the finest Ames presentation swords in existence, a spectacular find. 4-51300 JS, CW, JJ (75,000-125,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2004

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
	615	$86,250.00	MAGNIFICENT AND HISTORIC CIVIL WAR MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL OFFICERS SWORD BY AMES-TO BRIGADIER GENERAL HENRY LAWRENCE EUSTIS-10TH MASS. An important unique presentation U.S. Model 1860 Staff & Field Officer’s Sword by Ames of the highest grade. The only other sculpted hilt Ames swords of the Civil War period known were those of General U.S. Grant and the sword of General Jesse Reno (sold by James D. Julia in 2001 for $109,000). Of great significance is the similarity to the U.S. Grant sword, which is the most famous and important of all Ames swords (Hamilton, pg. 169), which was designed by master sculpture John Q. A. Ward of New York. All 3 of these swords, Eustis, Reno and Grant, have floral decorated shell guards with the General’s initials. This sword, like Reno’s and Grant’s, is totally custom made. Most features are unique and not seen on any other sword. There is no higher quality in Ames swords. The sword is a variant pattern of the U.S. Model 1860 Staff & Field Officers sword and was made by the Ames Mfg. Co. The blade is straight, double edged, with a central fuller and measures 31” long. Bold etching covers 95% of the blade’s length. A very rare and unusual feature for an American sword. In fact, if the blade were not signed “Ames Manf. Co., Chicopee, Mass”, its maker would be unknown, as this quality of fine, profuse etching has not been previously encountered in other Ames swords. The etching incorporates Victorian floral designs, an American shield, intertwined “US,” and classical stands of arms. At the ricasso the blade is signed, “Ames Mfg. Co./Chicopee, Mass.” The hilt is gold washed cast brass in high relief. The clamshell counterguard is edged with rococo scrolls of the finest qualityand has Eustis’ initials intertwined in gold. The reverse clamshell is diminutive and undecorated. The quillion is a unique design of a Roman warrior’s head with helmet. The face of the warrior appears to be that of Eustis himself!! (To our knowledge, this head does not appear on any other Ames sword). The single knucklebow is highly decorated on the obverse with an American shield, traditional Roman armor and arms and a cameo relief head of a Union soldier in Bummer kepi in an oval cartouche, again with the same image of Eustis himself? This knucklebow is identical to another unique solid gold Ames sword presented to Franklin Pierce by the state of New Hampshire in 1849 (see John Hamilton, p. 97, “Ames Sword Company”. The only difference being the lack of the oval cameo of Eustis. The Pierce sword has a plain undecorated oval). The pommel is a Roman warrior’s head with crested helmet and again in Eustis’ image. The grip, which is identical to the Reno sword, is unseen elsewhere, having white sharkskin banded in a gilted geometric pattern on wire. Equally magnificent is the scabbard, which is gold plated and signed by Ames on the reverse near the throat. The mounts and profuse engraving are again some of the finest found on an Ames sword. The top mount has two carrying rings and represents a sunburst and acanthus leaf spray with a Greek God’s face in the center. The middle mount is similar, however, the Indian figure from the Massachusetts state seal is imposed in the center. The drag is decorated with a stand of flags and also framed as the previous two are. In addition to these cast elements applied to the scabbard body, approximately 30% of the scabbard is decorated with engraved military trophies. Between the top and middle mount is the General’s name “H.L. EUSTIS” in large block letters. To the top and bottom, intertwined with floral engraving is a ribbon reading: “Presented to Brigadier General [H.L. EUSTIS] by the 10th Mass Infantry”. This inscription is in the most deluxe style! The sword is accompanied by its original wooden presentation case with the script initials “HLE” in nicely engraved, solid, sheet-silver inlaid in the cover. The case retains its original blue velvet lining and is fitted with a hinged lidded compartment, which contains a wine-red fringed silk sash. Henry Eustis was a brilliant man, educated at Harvard and West Point and instructor of engineering of both. Generals Newton and Sedgwick both praised him in their reports from the Chancellorville Campaign for “gallant service”. Eustis was born in Fort Independence, Boston, Massachusetts on February 1, 1819, the son of Brigadier General Abraham Eustis an officer in the garrison for whom Fort Eustis, Virginia was named. Also named after him is the village of “Eustis” in Northwestern Maine. He attended Harvard, graduated in 1838, and went to West Point, graduating first in his class of 56 in 1842 ahead of such notable classmates as Richard Anderson, Abner Doubleday, A. P. Stewart, D. H. Hill, James Longstreet, Lafayette McLaws, John Newton, John B. Kurtz, George Sykes and Earl Van Dorn. Eustis could choose his appointment, by virtue of his class ranking, and elected to go into the engineers. He served on projects along the east coast, including the construction of Fort Warren in Boston Harbor. He also spent two years (1847-1849) as an instructor of engineering at West Point. In 1849 he resigned to become professor of engineering at the new Lawrence Scientific School of Harvard. In August of 1862 Eustis became Colonel of the 10th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Eustis was in temporary command of the brigade (at the time the Second Brigade, Third Division, Sixth Corps) for a month before receiving permanent command and promotion to Brigadier General (USV) in September 1863. In the regimental history of the Tenth Massachusetts Infantry it is cited that the men of the Tenth Massachusetts raised $300 towards the purchase of this great sword, sash, and belt, which they presented to Eustis at Brandy Station on February 19, 1864. He led his brigade at Fredericksburg (after Colonel Brown of the Thirty-sixth New York was wounded), Marye’s Heights, Salem Heights, Gettysburg, Rappahannock Station, Mine Run and the Wilderness. Eustis apparently used and became addicted to opium. He resigned on June 27, 1864, one week after the Tenth Massachusetts left for home, citing reasons of “ill health”. Eustis returned to his professorship at Harvard, authoring a number of technical and scientific articles. He died on January 11, 1885, and is buried in Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge. CONDITION: Sword and scabbard are excellent. The blade exhibits its factory frosty etching over all with no flaws. The hilt retains about 100% of its bright gold wash, as does the scabbard. Only a few small dark, age spots appear. The carrying ring is missing from the middle scabbard mount. The hilt, particularly the pommel, could be tightened. The sash is worn and the silk is brittle with deterioration, especially at the fringe. The case is missing the lock and escutcheon and has some scuffs. There are some cracks in the bottom panel and some joints are loose, but the wood is all present. This is a unique opportunity to acquire one of the finest Ames presentation swords in existence, a spectacular find. 4-51300 JS, CW, JJ (75,000-125,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2004 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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