November 15 & 16, 2022 Extraordinary Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/15/2022
The phrase “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead” is perhaps one of the most significant quotes to echo through United States Naval, and military, history. Admiral David Glasgow Farragut uttered these words when he was famously lashed to the rigging of the USS Hartford during the Battle of Mobile Bay, a great victory for the Union, as Mobile, Alabama, was then the Confederacy's last major open port on the Gulf of Mexico. Mobile Bay was heavily mined (tethered naval mines were then known as "torpedoes") when Farragut commenced his attack on the bay. At the beginning of his attack, the monitor USS Tecumseh struck a mine and sank, causing slight disarray amongst the Union flotilla which was commanded by the courageous Admiral. As the story goes, it was the halting of his forces that caused Farragut to shout through a trumpet and ask the USS Brooklyn “What's the trouble?" "Torpedoes", was the shouted reply, in which Farragut bellowed his famous order. "Damn the torpedoes, four bells, Captain Drayton, go ahead. Jouett, full speed." Farragut’s pronounced encouragement succeed in motivating his forces to press their attack which resulted in the capitulation of Fort Morgan and Fort Gaines, resulting in the defeat of Admiral Franklin Buchanan’s rebel forces. Abraham Lincoln would later promote Farragut to vice admiral on December 21, 1864, making him the senior ranking officer in the United States Navy. This cutlass reflects the actions of that day with the fabulous 12-line inscription located on the cup guard that reads “Cutlass of the Hartford / Admiral Farragut’s Flagship / Steamer 2900 Tons / Carrying 18-9 Guns / 1-30 Pounder / 3-12 Pounders / This was used in the battle of Mobile Bay / When Farragut was lashed to the main shoards / and made the memorable remark / When told the Bay was full of torpedoes / Dam the Torpedoes / Full Speed Ahead”. The cutlass is in standard M1860 configuration with slightly curved blade, that features a flat back, and wide, stopped fuller. The blade is devoid of markings with the exception of the obverse ricasso which is stamped with the date “1862”. Standard cup guard is heavy sheet brass riveted to the knucklebow which was often referred to as the "soup ladle" due to its cup shape. Underside of quillon area is stamped "19M / 517". Grip is of grooved wood that is wrapped with leather. No twisted brass wire. Brass pommel with tiered cap. The cutlass is complete with its brown leather scabbard that features a brass stud and riveted seam. This historic naval cutlass was originally owned and included in the renowned American sword collection of Philip Medicus and was eventually sold by his estate following his death. The collection, including this sword, was purchased by prominent collector Norm Flayderman. A letter which was drafted and signed by Flayderman accompanies this cutlass and states “As a personal collector of naval weapons as well as Civil War artifacts, I always prized my ownership of this cutlass during the 53 years that I personally owned it. I acquired it in 1955 when I purchased, in its entirety, the collection of the late Philip Medicus of New York City, what was then, and to this very day considered the world’s largest and finest collection of American swords ever assembled.” The letters include the details of publications that this cutlass is pictured in and comes with photocopies of the publication excerpts, including pg. 24, plate 8a, in “American Swords from the Philip Medicus Collection” edited by Stuart Mowbray which includes photographs that were taken in 1956, as well as pg. 48 in “Small Arms of the Sea Services”. Also included is one of the special tags that Flayderman produced for the sale of the Medicus collection, in order to “preserve their “Medicus provenance”. The tag was sent to Dan Hartzler when this letter was drafted in September 2008, and is not original to the cutlass, as Flayderman thought the new caretaker would like to have one. CONDITION: The blade exhibits a heavy brown patina. Cup guard exhibits a pleasing mustard patina with excellent, unmolested engraving. The hilt exhibits scattered blemishes from age and wear, with the grip exhibiting 1 significant chip and light handling wear. Scabbard remains firm and supple with scattered creases an scuffs throughout its length, exhibiting age, yet sound. There is verdigris around the stud and rivets. Extreme tip is missing. This is an outstanding, and heavily documented Civil War naval cutlass which was once prized by some of the most advanced collectors in American history. This cutlass is without a doubt one of the most historically significant Civil War blades.
Paperwork
Folder with Research, Flayderman Letter