November 15 & 16, 2022 Extraordinary Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/15/2022
This is an excellent example of a W.J. McElroy foot officer’s sword with fantastically etched blade and named to an officer who experienced the full length of the Civil War, from the first battle of the war at Big Bethel, to being captured in 1862, and paroled in 1865. The sword is quite attractive and features a brass hilt, with a pommel decorated with crudely cast laurel leaves which travel toward the tiered cap. It appears that the parting line has been polished out, but the structural depressions indicate that the pommel was joined together. The knucklebow originates from the pommel just behind the cast laurel leaves and is slotted in order to accommodate a sword knot before it forms in a D shape, which flows to the outer edges of the guard. The counterguard is plain while the guard features elegant open floral scrollwork which exhibits evidence of crude casting. The guard terminates with a teardrop quillon which is plain with 2 flat sides. The reverse cone grip is of wood, wrapped with thick brown leather, and grooved in order to accommodate twisted copper wire. There is evidence of a leather washer where the blade meets the guard. The blade features a slight curve with a vast fuller that is halted by the ricasso. The blade is decorated with deeply acid etched designs for about half its length. The obverse features a small panel of crosshatching and interlaced lines just above the unmarked ricasso. The maker’s name is incorporated into the blade decorations and reads “W.J. McElroy & Co. / Macon ___Geo__” and is followed by 4-petaled flowers. The letters “C.S.” are etched in gothic style at the center of the decorations and are followed by thick leafy lines which end before the panel is terminated in the shape of a crude column. The reverse is similarly etched with the same crosshatching just above the unmarked ricasso. A stand of 2 national flags and a drum is etched just above the crosshatching and leads to an ivy vine and is followed by a vine of oak leaves and acorns which end before the panel is terminated in the shape of a crude, pointed column. Like the firm’s name on the obverse, the officer’s name is also incorporated into the blade decorations and is supported by the etched ivy vine. The etching reads “D. McDonald” in elegant script. Daniel M. McDonald was first a corporal of the “Lafayette Light Infantry” when they tendered their services to North Carolina on April 17, 1861, were accepted the same day, and entered active service for 6 months, becoming Company F, 1st North Carolina Volunteers. They saw action in the first battle of the war at Big Bethel on June 10, a battle honor they later used on a flag and nicknaming the regiment the “Bethel Regiment” when it reorganized as the 11th North Carolina. McDonald reached Sergeant in the company and is specifically mentioned as present at Big Bethel in his service records. He mustered out on November 12 and re-enlisted on April 1, 1862, with a commission as Second Lieutenant, officially mustering in the Cape Fear Guards on July 2, 1862, which became Company B, 56th North Carolina. The unit served first in North Carolina, transferred to Northern Virginia after Manassas and saw action on the Peninsula at Seven Pines, Mechanicsville, and elsewhere, before transferring back to North Carolina to combat U.S. coastal operations. He was captured on May 22, 1862 at Gum Swamp when Federal forces made a demonstration against Kinston, surprising and surrounding a large group of Confederate pickets. He was confined at New Berne, Fort Delaware, and Johnsons Island for most of the war, being paroled in late February 1865 to be hospitalized for acute rheumatism in Richmond in March, where he was taken prisoner again and paroled on April 3, 1865. Hartzler’s notes indicate he had a connection with Frederick County, Maryland, though sources indicate he was born in Bladen County, North Carolina, and died at Fayetteville in 1891. The sword is complete with its brown leather scabbard that features a nickel-silvered upper mount with scratched letters “Co B / 56 NC Vols” The middle mount and drag are both of brass and are nicely gilded. The upper and middle mount each features a single band with carry ring. The sword was once in the collection of William Albaugh III and is accompanied by a letter that was written to Dan Hartzler regarding the authenticity. He writes “There is no question but that it is a fine authentic piece, save for the drag on the scabbard. I thought it a replacement because the pin hole in the scabbard does not match the hole in the drag.” He also notes that there was once a replacement screw that secured the middle mount to the scabbard body, however that screw is no longer present. Despite the different colors of top and middle mounts, they are both mentioned to be original. This sword is featured in several publications including pgs. 197-198 in “Confederate Presentation and Inscribed Swords and Revolvers” as well as pg. 176 in “Band of Brothers Photographic Epilogue to Marylanders in the Confederacy”. A folder of research accompanies this sword and includes Hartzler Collection notes, scans of book pages the sword is featured in, research regarding McDonald’s military service, and the letter from William Albaugh III. CONDITION: The blade exhibits an exquisite gray patina with outstanding blade designs. The hilt exhibits a pleasing honey patina with traces of original gilding and attractive crude casting. Grip exhibits handling wear. The scabbard has a flex just above the middle mount and there are traces of glue which repaired a small break. Several loose areas on the seam. Scabbard body exhibits creasing throughout its length but is nicely intact. Mounts exhibit traces of original gilding. Middle mount is loose, obviously missing its retaining pin. Upper mount carry ring is misshapen. Evidence of glue around the drag. This is an outstanding and well documented W.J. McElroy foot officer’s sword that is worthy of a serious Civil War collection.
Paperwork
Folder of Research