EARLY CIVIL WAR PRESENTATION SWORD TO AN OFFICER OF PHILADELPHIA’S ARTILLERY CORPS OF THE WASHINGTON GRAYS.

EARLY CIVIL WAR PRESENTATION SWORD TO AN OFFICER OF PHILADELPHIA’S ARTILLERY CORPS OF THE WASHINGTON GRAYS. A wonderful very early war presentation to an officer of this Philadelphia artillery militia unit that was one of the first to respond to Lincoln’s call for volunteers and is commemorated by a statue outside the Union League Club of Philadelphia. The sword was presented the day after Lincoln’s inauguration in 1861. The sword itself is quite unique as well! The sword, sold by Horstmann, is of European manufacture-similar to the U.S. Model 1850 Foot Officer’s sword-except with a very unusual “collapsing” steel scabbard. The unmarked sword itself closely resembles its American counterpart but is of French or German manufacture. The blade measuring 32” in length has etched decorations featuring scrolls, floral sprays and generic military trophies with a blade that has an unstopped wide and secondary fuller (typical of French manufactured swords). This hilt is cast brass of regulation style with a grip of wood, covered in sharkskin and wrapped with twisted brass wire. The scabbard is like nothing I’ve encountered before-made of steel with two carrying rings-it is made in two pieces with a spring tension device in the lower half that has the effect of “collapsing” the scabbard to one half its size through a telescoping action when the blade is drawn. Quite interesting and rare! In a rectangular cartouche is stamped “HORSTMANN” near the scabbard throat. Opposite Horstmann’s stamped cartouche is the inscription “Presented to / Lieut. Alexander Murphy / of the / Artillery Corps Washington Gray s/ by his Fellow Members / March 5th 1861”. A most interesting presentation sword to a member of Philadelphia’s elite militia artillery corps. Further research may reveal the origin of this VERY unusual “collapsing” scabbard. 4-58294 CW14 (4,000-5,000)

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
	894	$5,175.00	EARLY CIVIL WAR PRESENTATION SWORD TO AN OFFICER OF PHILADELPHIA’S ARTILLERY CORPS OF THE WASHINGTON GRAYS. A wonderful very early war presentation to an officer of this Philadelphia artillery militia unit that was one of the first to respond to Lincoln’s call for volunteers and is commemorated by a statue outside the Union League Club of Philadelphia. The sword was presented the day after Lincoln’s inauguration in 1861. The sword itself is quite unique as well! The sword, sold by Horstmann, is of European manufacture-similar to the U.S. Model 1850 Foot Officer’s sword-except with a very unusual “collapsing” steel scabbard. The unmarked sword itself closely resembles its American counterpart but is of French or German manufacture. The blade measuring 32” in length has etched decorations featuring scrolls, floral sprays and generic military trophies with a blade that has an unstopped wide and secondary fuller (typical of French manufactured swords). This hilt is cast brass of regulation style with a grip of wood, covered in sharkskin and wrapped with twisted brass wire. The scabbard is like nothing I’ve encountered before-made of steel with two carrying rings-it is made in two pieces with a spring tension device in the lower half that has the effect of “collapsing” the scabbard to one half its size through a telescoping action when the blade is drawn. Quite interesting and rare! In a rectangular cartouche is stamped “HORSTMANN” near the scabbard throat. Opposite Horstmann’s stamped cartouche is the inscription “Presented to / Lieut. Alexander Murphy / of the / Artillery Corps Washington Gray s/ by his Fellow Members / March 5th 1861”. A most interesting presentation sword to a member of Philadelphia’s elite militia artillery corps. Further research may reveal the origin of this VERY unusual “collapsing” scabbard. 4-58294 CW14 (4,000-5,000) 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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