GUN FALL 2014
The live portion of this session begins on Thursday, October 9, 2014.
SWORDS, MEMORABILIA CAPTAIN JAMES LIBBY FIRST MAINE SHARP SHOOTERS. SN: NSN. This group consists of two Civil War officer swords, a post-war pocket watch, chain, maritime cap insignia and a post-war photograph and copies of letters Libby wrote home from the war. First sword is a beautiful US staff and field officers sword with an eagle head quillon and a high grade spiral fluted metal grip. The sword has an inscription which reads, "presented to Lieut. J. W. Libby by Co. E, First ME SS December 5, 1864". The other sword is an imported non regulation iron hilted officers sword with a cut out eagle, US, and E Pluribus Unum. Both swords as other articles are consigned directly from family. There is a sketch of James Libby's life written by his grandson E. Carl Libby which tells of his birth in 1840 in Leeds, Maine, his life on the farm, his schooling in one room schoolhouse and his later education at Monmouth Academy. When the war began in 1861 James Libby was entering his final year at Monmouth Academy. On August 6, 1861 James Libby left school and enlisted as a private in Company K, 7th Regiment Maine Volunteers. Several family letters tell of his life in the 7th. At the battle of Antietam over half of the 7th Maine men engaged where killed, wounded or missing. The unit was so reduced in numbers it was sent home in October of 1862 to recoup. Company K of which Libby was a part rejoined the war in January 1863 and were engaged at the Battle of Fredricksburg May 3, 1863 with a loss of 12 killed, 49 wounded and 39 missing. 7th Maine had heavy causality almost everywhere they fought. At Gettysburg the 7th Maine and Libby had position on Wolf Hill where the 7th Maine monument stands between two rock walls today. Only two men of the 7th Maine died from wounds from the battle of Gettysburg and are buried at the National Cemetery at Gettysburg along with 138 other men from Maine regiments. A patriotic letter to his sister written by Libby on August 16, just over a month after Gettysburg when he and the 7th were camped in Warrenton Springs, VA states, "Our country must be saved and now is the time to do it..." James Libby would serve his three years, be discharged and reenlist as a Veteran Volunteer. He would become a second lieutenant in November 1864 in the 1st Maine Sharp Shooters and then be promoted to Captain in Company K in the 14th Maine infantry in his last command. There is an interesting archive of research by Libby's grandson that accompanies this lot including the listing of family members who own the copied letters and a copy of a signed CDV of Lieutenant Libby wearing the wonderful presentation sword that is the centerpiece of this lot. SIZE: CONDITION: Staff and field officers sword is fine overall with 32" blade with 16" etched patriotic panels on both sides retaining 90%+ orig frosted details. Brass hilt retains about half its orig gold plating and brass scabbard mounts retain traces of gold in protected areas. Presentation is easily read as can be seen in photos and brass overall has a yellow patina. Iron scabbard body is sound and solid with traces of blue finish with scattered staining, rust and pitting. There are several small dents in scabbard mounts especially in drag as can be seen in photos. Non regulation sword is sound and solid overall. Grip retains all its orig shark skin with exception of one chipped area where wood and wrap are gone which measures about 1/4" x 1/4". Tripe wire wrap over grip is only about 50% intact and loose in areas. 32" blade is gray overall with some areas of orig polish and shine. 7" etched patriotic panels are discernible on both sides as can be seen in photos. Accompanying pocket watch is non functioning and like maritime cap badge dates about 1880 along with watch chain which is missing its catch to attach to watch. 45805-1 (5,000-10,000) JS17