GUN FALL 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 31, 2017.
CONFEDERATE THOMAS, GRISWOLD FOOT OFFICER'S SWORD WITH SASH TAKEN AS SOUVENIR AT GETTYSBURG BY JOSEPH DALTON, 3RD PA CAVALRY ALONG WITH HIS DECORATIVE WAR SERVICE ESCUTCHEON.According to the accompanying affidavit of descendant of Joseph Dalton, this sword and sash were taken from the body of a dead Confederate officer at Gettysburg, as this was the story told by several generations of the Dalton family. Dalton's escutcheon lists his role for his long service in the Civil War. We researched Joseph Dalton and found he indeed entered service August 17, 1861 in Philadelphia into Company I of the 3rd Pennsylvania Cavalry which did see action at Gettysburg having 21 casualties and one officer was given the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions. Escutcheon states that Dalton was detailed to service as Orderly to five different Union generals where he clearly would have had better chance than most to take nice souvenirs. Regardless of family legend or history, the sword indeed is an orig "as found" Confederate foot officer's sword maker marked "T. G & CO / N.O.". The accompanying scabbard which does not appear to be by the same manufacturer does exhibit similar "as found" look. The accompanying sash has dark staining that under UV light exhibiting the black UV signature associated often with blood. This is a neat Confederate souvenir that would display nicely along with the capturer's framed, very decorative war record. SIZE: PROVENANCE: From direct family descent of Private Joseph Dalton, 3rd Pennsylvania Cavalry. CONDITION: Sword and scabbard overall are sound and good. Sword measures 35" with 29" typical pen knife style blade associated with this New Orleans manufacturer. Blade is uncleaned gray overall with grime, rust and pitting especially last several inches where blade protrudes through end of broken scabbard body. Blade exhibits several cuts and nicks on its edge. Hilt and pommel exhibit a green bronze patina. The grip retains about 70% of its original leather. Though heavily worn and weathered the original brass wire is intact with similar patina to hilt. The leather scabbard is missing drag and several inches at end. The two brass mounts exhibit a dark mustard patina and impressions of the sash fabric are found on each mount. Sash retains good color with much staining, soiling and small reductions. Knots are faded and worn. Remnants of the original silk ribbon that tied the sash to sword are in fragments. Escutcheon measures 22" x 30" including gold painted gesso frame with loss of some decoration as can be seen in photographs. Escutcheon is fair to good, not examined out of frame, but water staining is seen around each edge. However, colors and text are still very good. 51965-2 JS (5,000-7,000)