HISTORIC INSCRIBED U.S. MODEL 1850 STAFF & FIELD OFFICER’S SWORD BELONGING TO AN OFFICER OF THE 2ND U.S. SHARPSHOOTERS AND HISTORICALLY RELATED TO THE ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

HISTORIC INSCRIBED U.S. MODEL 1850 STAFF & FIELD OFFICER’S SWORD BELONGING TO AN OFFICER OF THE 2ND U.S. SHARPSHOOTERS AND HISTORICALLY RELATED TO THE ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN. One of the most historic and important swords to come to market in many years is this regulation inscribed U.S. Model 1850 Foot Officer’s sword which has an inscribed provenance relating it to the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln at Ford’s Theater on April 14, 1865. The sword is configured according to regulation, manufactured by the “Ames Mfg Co. / Chicopee, Mass.” and is so marked on the ricasso of the blade and the reverse of the top scabbard mount. The scabbard is of leather with standard brass furniture. The top ring mount and throat of the scabbard is engraved immediately above the carrying ring “Presented to Lieut. Wm. J. Leahy / by the Members / of Co. C / 2nd Reg. U.S.S.S. / Aug. 1862”. Immediately below the carrying ring on the top mount is engraved (in a different hand) “Presented to/Earl E. Hewitt/by/Capt. W. J. Leahy/Aug 1917”. The leather scabbard is broken approximately 2.5” above the brass drag and has been repaired with a brass band which is engraved (in a third hand) “Broken on Stage / of / Ford’s Theater / April 15, 1865 / During genera l/ fight following / Lincoln’s / assassination”. Eyewitness accounts of the Lincoln assassination document the pandemonium and melee that occurred inside Ford’s Theater immediately following John Wilkes Booth’s murderous moment and his ill fated leap onto the stage and subsequent escape out the back door. Lincoln had no formal military detail with him that evening, however, a large number of Union officer’s were in the audience the evening of the assassination-obviously Lt. Leahy was one of them! Rare enough is the inscription to Company C of Berdan’s 2nd Regiment U.S. Sharpshooters. These were men recruited, largely, from PA. The history of the regiment is impressive being engaged in many important battles in the Eastern Theater. They participated in McDowell’s advance on Richmond, Pope’s Campaign in Northern VA, the Battles of Groveton; Bull Run, South Mountain; Antietam, Fredericksburg the “Mud March”, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Brandy Station, Mine Run Campaign, Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Assault on the Salient, Bloody Angle, Cold Harbor, Siege of Petersburg, and Hatcher’s Run. Leahy’s Company “C” was then transferred to the105th PA Inf. to finish their term of service. Not only is this sword significant for its presentation to an officer in the 2nd U.S. Sharp Shooters, but this sword represents one of the best documented and important artifacts related to Ford’s Theater and the assassination of Lincoln. CONDITION: Very good. Sword itself shows light wear over all. Blade retains much of its orig finish and the etching is clear and distinct. Hilt and grip are excellent with much gold wash remaining. Wire grip wrap is loose. Leather scabbard is fair, broken and repaired near the drag with a side brass band engraved with historical information, but also broken between the two scabbard ring mounts and repaired with epoxy. 4-58298 CW11 (30,000-40,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2006

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
	884	$13,800.00	HISTORIC INSCRIBED U.S. MODEL 1850 STAFF & FIELD OFFICER’S SWORD BELONGING TO AN OFFICER OF THE 2ND U.S. SHARPSHOOTERS AND HISTORICALLY RELATED TO THE ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN. One of the most historic and important swords to come to market in many years is this regulation inscribed U.S. Model 1850 Foot Officer’s sword which has an inscribed provenance relating it to the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln at Ford’s Theater on April 14, 1865. The sword is configured according to regulation, manufactured by the “Ames Mfg Co. / Chicopee, Mass.” and is so marked on the ricasso of the blade and the reverse of the top scabbard mount. The scabbard is of leather with standard brass furniture. The top ring mount and throat of the scabbard is engraved immediately above the carrying ring “Presented to Lieut. Wm. J. Leahy / by the Members / of Co. C / 2nd Reg. U.S.S.S. / Aug. 1862”. Immediately below the carrying ring on the top mount is engraved (in a different hand) “Presented to/Earl E. Hewitt/by/Capt. W. J. Leahy/Aug 1917”. The leather scabbard is broken approximately 2.5” above the brass drag and has been repaired with a brass band which is engraved (in a third hand) “Broken on Stage / of / Ford’s Theater / April 15, 1865 / During genera l/ fight following / Lincoln’s / assassination”. Eyewitness accounts of the Lincoln assassination document the pandemonium and melee that occurred inside Ford’s Theater immediately following John Wilkes Booth’s murderous moment and his ill fated leap onto the stage and subsequent escape out the back door. Lincoln had no formal military detail with him that evening, however, a large number of Union officer’s were in the audience the evening of the assassination-obviously Lt. Leahy was one of them! Rare enough is the inscription to Company C of Berdan’s 2nd Regiment U.S. Sharpshooters. These were men recruited, largely, from PA. The history of the regiment is impressive being engaged in many important battles in the Eastern Theater. They participated in McDowell’s advance on Richmond, Pope’s Campaign in Northern VA, the Battles of Groveton; Bull Run, South Mountain; Antietam, Fredericksburg the “Mud March”, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Brandy Station, Mine Run Campaign, Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Assault on the Salient, Bloody Angle, Cold Harbor, Siege of Petersburg, and Hatcher’s Run. Leahy’s Company “C” was then transferred to the105th PA Inf. to finish their term of service. Not only is this sword significant for its presentation to an officer in the 2nd U.S. Sharp Shooters, but this sword represents one of the best documented and important artifacts related to Ford’s Theater and the assassination of Lincoln. CONDITION: Very good. Sword itself shows light wear over all. Blade retains much of its orig finish and the etching is clear and distinct. Hilt and grip are excellent with much gold wash remaining. Wire grip wrap is loose. Leather scabbard is fair, broken and repaired near the drag with a side brass band engraved with historical information, but also broken between the two scabbard ring mounts and repaired with epoxy. 4-58298 CW11 (30,000-40,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2006 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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