GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
RARE TIFFANY PRESENTATION CIVIL WAR STAFF OFFICER''S SWORD OF CAPT. EDWARD PATRICK, 141ST NY.This unusual & "as found" staff officer''s sword is signed on both blade & scabbard by "TIFFANY & CO". The blade is of best imported German steel marked "WARRANTED TO CUT WROUGHT IRON". Blade is 32" long with 2 narrow fullers & 4/10" thick spine at ricasso. Blade is marked by maker "P.D.L." in oval cartouche, Peter D. Luneschloss was a well-known & revered Soligen cutler. Tiffany was known to import the finest steel as Tiffany, even in 1860, was known for best quality if their name appeared. The design of hilt & pommel are also unique to Tiffany. The grip is silver as is its wire wrap. Hilt & richly engraved scabbard mounts were also upgrades with a fine American eagle & US engraved on throat. Inscription on verso of throat reads "Capt. E.L. Patrick from Company I". Edward L. Patrick raised a company of volunteers, September 11, 1862 at Elmira, NY which became Company I, 141st Regiment of New York Volunteers. He was commissioned Captain November 3, 1862 which would be the approximate date of this presentation. He was later commissioned Major, March 1863 & then Lt. Col. in June 1863. The 141st NY was attached to the 12th/20th Army Corps & saw heavy action throughout the Atlanta campaign. The unit took the brunt of the casualties at the Battle of Resaca, GA having 91 killed & wounded. Col. Patrick missed the Atlanta campaign however, being dismissed from service November 19,1863 for violation of "failing to appear before a military commission for improperly enlisting a minor & accepting a substitute for the same, without proper authority." All Col. Patrick did was to send an underage enlistee home to his parents & substituted another man in the youth''s place. He was not authorized to do so. A clear case of "no good deed goes unpunished". The 141st at time of dismissal was in the Lookout Mountain Valley area near Bridgeport, Alabama where they would camp for the winter before starting Sherman''s campaign through Georgia. Typical government bureaucratic snafu as Col. Patrick was exonerated & given his dishonorable discharge after being taken from service & reinstated to honorable discharge by President Lincoln himself. A large file of documents & research accompany this sword detailing Patrick''s life & war history. SIZE: CONDITION: Very good to fine "as found" with dark grungy patina to brass mounts & hilt, spiral silver grip & wire are darkly patinaed. Hilt shows strong traces of gold plate in protected areas. Leather scabbard body is sound & solid though heavily crazed with chipping to polished surface & is missing its final 6" & drag. Blade is gray overall with discernible etched patterns worn with staining & pitting. 50194-9 JS (6,000-8,000)