GUN SPRING 2018
The live portion of this session begins on Wednesday, March 21, 2018.
HIGH GRADE CIVIL WAR PRESENTATION SWORD TO THADDEUS P. MOTT, MOTT'S BATTERY, 3RD NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY.High grade Clauberg presentation sword sold by W. J. Syms & Brothers, New York. Silver scabbard body has presentation between mounts with crossed cannon on either side "MOTT'S BATTERY / PRESENTED TO COL. T.P. MOTT BY HIS FRIENDS IN NEW YORK". The opposite side of scabbard lists 12 Civil War generals who Mott probably served under in a most unusual presentation panel as can be seen in photos. Mounted officer's saber has decorated fluted silver grip with brass wire and each scabbard mount has silver patriotic raised relief device including crossed pair of cannon on middle mount. The two fullered blade with gold background has patriotic etched panels including motto "IN HOC SIGNO VINCES". Thaddeus P. Mott (1831-1894) was a well known Civil War officer and later an adventurer and soldier of fortune, holding the rank of Major General in the Egyptian Army after the war. Prior to the Civil War, Mott fought under Garibaldi in Revolutionary Italy. After his Italian service, he served as an officer on several clipper ships bound for California and fought in the Mexican Army 1856-1857 prior to his return to New York City. A large bound file of research accompanies this sword, including the January 16, 1954 receipt given to William C. Baker, III, son of General William C. Baker who purchased the sword from a shop on Wisconsin Avenue in Washington, DC. SIZE: PROVENANCE: Hobby Shop, Washington, DC; William C. Baker, III, 1954; Clarence F. Runtsch Collection, 1965; The spectacular collections of Ray Bentley featuring the finest and rarest deluxe antique Winchesters in the world. CONDITION: Very fine overall. 34-1/2" blade retains much of its orig luster with some staining and about 80% dull gold highlights with cleaning. Silvered scabbard body grip and silver section of mounts retain good detail and silver patina. Brass relief mounts, guard and pommel have traces of gilt in protected areas. 53094-153 JS (4,000-5,000)