GUN SPRING 2018
The live portion of this session begins on Wednesday, March 21, 2018.
HIGH GRADE SILVER GRIP IRISH BRIGADE PRESENTATION OFFICER'S SWORD, CAPTAIN JAMES MCGEE, 69TH NEW YORK.This is a very impressive sword being among the highest grade Horstmann Model 1850's made with gold blade, engraved and chased hilt, relief cast mounts and pommel, engraved sheet silver grip and sharkskin scabbard. This sword was presented December 2, 1862 by his friends in Brooklyn for his courageous and soldierly conduct, especially saving the colors at Antietam just over a month previous. The inscription is composed in fancy script in 8-lines on top mount and middle mount lists the 8 battles the 69th had been involved in. At time of presentation, the regiment was in winter camp just north of Fredericksburg, Virginia near Falmouth. James E. McGee enlisted August 12, 1861 in New York City as a Captain, Company F, 69th New York. He went through several promotions all the way to Lt. Colonel before he mustered out at Petersburg, Virginia October 11, 1864. McGee was a fierce fighter like so many in the famous "Irish Brigade". From the official reports, of the Battle of Antietam, September 21, 1862, "Capt. James E. McGee, of Company F, most particularly distinguished himself by his coolness and bravery during the whole engagement. And while in the heat of battle, after his command had been almost entirely decimated, picking up the green flag, the bearer of which had been carried from the field wounded, and bearing its folds aloft throughout the battle." At Petersburg, June 16, 1864, Col. James Kelly was killed and Lt. Colonel James McGee commanding the regiment was wounded and removed from the field. McGee would stay in Petersburg with the 69th and Irish Brigade recovering from his wounds and was finally discharged October 11 and returned home. After the war, he reorganized the regiment in New York City and was commissioned Lt. Colonel again. McGee died February 21, 1880 and is buried at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Maspeth, Queens County, New York. SIZE: CONDITION: Very fine overall. 30-1/2 blade retain most of its luster with light staining and strong gold background. Mounts, hilt and pommel retain virtually all of their gold plate, though the gold appears touched up in places including ricasso, but quite professionally done. Silver grip is equally fine with grey/silver patina. Sharkskin scabbard body is fine and solid with light scuffing, retaining most of its orig dyed surface. 52865-32 JS (6,000-8,000)