This sword was owned by Raymond Bentley for many years and few people have ever seen it. Presentation on silver scabbard between raised relief patriotic mounts reads "PRESENTED TO / GENERAL GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN / BY HIS STAFF IN COMMEMORATION OF HIS / APPOINTMENT AS COMMANDER OF / ALL THE ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES / NOVEMBER 1ST 1861". The date on this sword was a Friday, on Saturday the day after, McClellan was at his headquarters in Washington, DC when he was presented a sword by a committee from the City Council of Philadelphia with great fanfare. Members of McClellan's staff were present at the presentation, but the sword presented that weekend was not from his staff. We have not yet found presentation for this sword in any contemporary accounts. One wonders if it would have been thought poor form for McClellan's personal staff to steal the thunder from the Philadelphia coalition. Regardless, the inscription on this sword appears impeccable and a most unusual feature is a large faceted pink stone engraved with McClellan's initials on pommel cap. This sword has a fabulous raised relief silver grip showing a Scotsman in full military regalia with kilt and basket hilt sword holding an American flag. The pommel shows full relief face of a Roman God, topped by hinged pommel cap engraved with oak leafs and acorns with 1-1/4" bezel holding oval, faceted pink gemstone engraved with large "GM" in block letters. The 34-3/4" blade is quill back Solingen import with high relief etched American patriotic panels including 6-1/2" central panel of possibly McClellan on horseback in battle scene. The silver scabbard body is profusely engraved, above top mount, a ribbon "E PLURIBUS UNUM". Between middle mount and drag relief is engraved 16" with a central panel of American eagle holding shield. The relief cast mounts each have patriotic figures as can be seen in photos, including a full standing soldier holding American flag on drag. The ring mounts are both in the shape of a coiled snake. The top mount is also fit for Price's patented sword and belt release as shown in John H. Thillman's 2008 exemplary text Civil War Army Swords, pgs 491-2. This is a truly historic sword that would be interesting to further search to see if there are photographs of McClellan wearing this as it appears to have seen honest use, but has been well cared for retaining much of its orig plating with an overall fine patina. Thillman only knows of one other sword of this pattern thought to be made by Emerson & Silver. SIZE: PROVENANCE: American Anderson Auctions of New York City, 1940-1941; Leif Spers Collection, 1968, Los Angeles; Butterfield & Butterfields, September 24, 2001, Lot 4600; the spectacular collections of Ray Bentley featuring the finest and rarest deluxe antique Winchesters in the world. CONDITION: Fine overall. Blade is grey overall with staining and light pitting, especially near tip etched panels are all easily discerned. Silver scabbard and grip have matching grey/silver patinas with minor cosmetic blemishes. The hilt and scabbard mounts retain much of their orig gold plate, especially on scabbard and on hilt in protected areas with balance dark mustard patina. There is a small bend in the bezel that retains the engraved stone in pommel. 53091-132 JS (25,000-50,000)