December 10, 2019 Edged Weapon, Armor & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2019
Regulation pattern 1840 medical staff officer's sword and scabbard. Gilt brass pommel of standard configuration, with floral cast elements, pineapple finial and oval panels in the grip, the obverse filled with an eagle. The reverse blank. Old English "MS" with stars on obverse languette. Reverse languette inscribed "H.P. Mathewson / Surgeon / USV." Oval etched blade with floral designs, panoply of arms, American eagle and motto ribbon reverse. Obverse with floral motifs and "United States Medical Staff." Gold washed brass scabbard with mounts cast with floral motifs on the obverse. No maker or dealer marks. Harley Phillips Mathewson of Vermont was appointed Assistant Surgeon of Volunteers from Vermont 1/7/63 and Surgeon US Volunteers 3/28/65. Breveted Lt. Colonel US Vols. 10/3/65 for faithful and meritorious service during the war. Mustered out of Volunteer Service 10/7/65. He served the Van Buren Hospital at Millken's Bend, Louisiana, April to August 1863; on the hospital steamer Charles McDougall August to December 1863. From that time, with a brief stint on board another hospital steamer in April and May 1864, he was at the Jefferson General Hospital in Indiana, and in June 1865 was Chief Surgeon, 2nd District, Dept. of Kentucky at Bowling Green. He died in 1901 and is buried at Arlington. CONDITION: Excellent. Blade bright with visible etching on frosted panels. Much gilt on hilt and gold wash on scabbard. A couple of minor dark spots on upper edge of grip near guard where one's thumb would rest. A very nicely identified US army surgeon's regulation sword. SR. PROVENANCE: From the Collection of George M. Rapport.
Overall Length
(A) 35 - 3/4"