141

Tiffany Civil War Presentation Sword.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,500.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
Tiffany Civil War Presentation Sword.
CURRENT BID
0.00USD
ENTER YOUR MAXIMUM ABSENTEE BID[?]
You must bid at least
1,500.00USD
USD
1,500.00 x 1 unit = 1,500.00USDApplicable fees & taxes are added at checkout.
[?]Live Online Auction Starts In 2024 Oct 26 @ 11:00 (UTC-7 : PDT/MST)
Beautiful and ornate Tiffany presentation sword with a fantastic history. The hilt is deeply cast and chased. The pommel cap has a heavily knurled, turban-like base, floral acorn scrolls underneath, down the back of the knuckle bow, and more scrolling floral motifs, and large "US" in the openwork guard with the elements chased both inside and out, coming together on the quillon to form the neck feathers of an eagle’s head jutting forward. The grip is silver, twisted with ridges and grooves. The 32 1/2" slightly curved blade is etched with "Tiffany & Co. NY" followed by a series of somewhat geometric floral scrolls followed by "US". The reverse has floral scrolls, followed by American shield, crossed cannons, stand of arms with crossed pikes/rifles with banners. This is followed by another series of geometric floral scrolls turning into a long, leafy vine. The etching is fully visible, although somewhat worn. The blade is a mix of bright metal and the gray of the frosting. No nicks, 16" fuller along the flat.
The brass scabbard is equally impressive, matches the hilt in having a medium, aged brass patina, and carries a deeply cast and chased throat with floral scrolls, figural ring mounts and screw-fastened, floral scrolled drag. The upper mount incorporates Lady Liberty holding a sword, and American Shield. The middle mount has a bearded charging Union soldier holding a rifle, with pack, bayonet, and "US" marked cartridge box. The inscription, between the ring mounts, with the recipient’s name in Old English and the rest in script: “Presented to / Col. Edward Lyon Bailey / 2nd N.H. Infantry Va. / Men of Co. A..” Col. Bailey enlisted on May 9th, 1861, and served the entire war. He was wounded four times at Williamsburg, twice at Glendale, and again at Gettysburg. The Second New Hampshire went into battle at Gettysburg with 330 men, 24 officers, & officers killed, 15 wounded, & 191 enlisted men killed, or wounded. (Letter written by Col. Bailey to Major General Hancock, May 2nd, 1865.) His military and pension records from the Nation Archives, including a copy of this letter, are included with the sword. Born December 10th, 1841 in Manchester N.H. He served with the 4th U.S. Infantry from March 7, 1887 to Oct. 15, 1893, retiring as a Captain in the regular army. He died in 1930 at the age of 88.