December 13-15, 2022 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/14/2022
This is a showy example of a Model 1850 Foot Officer’s Sword with attribution to a Pennsylvania officer. The sword features a 32” blade and is marked “TOMES. SON / & MELVAIN / NEW-YORK” in a frosted panel on the obverse ricasso and “W. CLAUBERG / SOLINGEN” in vignette form around the Clauberg knight on the reverse ricasso. The blade is mostly devoid of decoration, with the exception of an ornately etched and gold washed panel on each side of the blade. The obverse features a presentable spread winged federal eagle illuminated by a spread of sun rays, flanked by elegant scrollwork, and contained in an arabesque vignette. The reverse features the same style panel, with the eagle replaced by the bold letters “U.S.” which are intertwined with loose foliage. The hilt is equally attractive, with brass guard that features open scrollwork and terminates with a leafy textured teardrop quillon. The knucklebow is pierced toward the pommel for accommodation of a sword knot and connects to the pommel which is adorned with an eagle contained in a vignette of stars. Grip is of wood, delicately wrapped in high quality sharkskin and fitted with twisted brass wire that fits neatly into the grooves of the grip. The sword is complete with its scabbard with decoration that matches the hilt. The scabbard is constructed of leather, wrapped with high quality sharkskin, and features brass mounts. The upper and middle mounts feature a bands of laurel leaves that each accommodate a carry ring. Upper carry ring retains a leather hanger. This attractive foot officer’s sword was carried by Lieutenant John O’ Grady of the 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry. A Tomes Son & Melvain staff and field sword also with a 32" blade and also identified to a cavalry officer is illustrated by Thillman, US Army Swords 384-385. O’Grady had listed himself as a 40-year-old merchant in the 1860 census, living in Scranton, then in Luzerne County. He mustered into the 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry on October 23, 1861, as Second Lieutenant in Company K. The regiment served in Kentucky and Tennessee during his time in it and saw action against Morgan, Kirby Smith, Forrest, and Wheeler, taking significant casualties in fighting at Perryville, Franklin, and Thompson Station. Records indicate O’Grady was captured at the Battle of Richmond, Kentucky, on August 30, 1862, or at the Shannon River within the next few days. The battle had been a disaster for Federal forces, with losses of more than 5,000, mostly captured, of some 6,000 engaged, and the 9th was involved in covering the retreat. He was reportedly paroled on September 2, exchanged on October 2, and was back with his company in time for the December muster roll. In May 1863 he applied for a 20-day sick leave, but was again with the regiment soon after and transferred to Company B as First Lieutenant as of May 23, but further medical problems, “remittent fever and considerable debility,” caused him to resign for disability, which was accepted as of September 1, 1863. O’Grady may have had some earlier infantry service as a lieutenant in Company E, 8th Pennsylvania Infantry from April 22-July 29, 1861. The unit served along the Potomac and took part in the advance on Martinsburg, Bunker Hill and Charlestown, Virginia. Both officers are listed as John O’Grady, residing at Scranton, but records do not officially connect them. He was retired by 1880 and died about 1881. CONDITION: The blade remains bright with scattered blemishes, most of which appear to be caused by fingerprints. Elegant panels remain mostly unmolested with slight rubbing and crisp designs. Hilt exhibits a pleasant patina with scattered dark spots from age. Grip is excellent with tightly wrapped sharkskin and twisted wire, minimal handling wear. Scabbard also has tightly wrapped sharkskin with mounts that exhibit a similar patina to the hilt. The sword is accompanied by a binder of research regarding O’Grady’s service. PROVENANCE: Former Roger Bender Collection.
Paperwork
Binder of Research