November 15 & 16, 2022 Extraordinary Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/15/2022
An absolutely eye-catching Tiffany & Co. non-regulation sword presented to a Maryland officer with a stimulating history. The presentation is located on the upper mount and reads ‘Presented to / CAPT. F. MEMMERT / by the members of Co. H / 5th Regt. Md./ Vet./ Vol. Inf.try / as a token of their esteem.” Born in Bavaria, around 1828, Frederick Memmert became a U.S. citizen about 1856 and worked as a piano maker and agent. He enlisted as a Captain and mustered into Company H of the 5th Maryland on October 24, 1861 at age 32. The regiment served in Dix’s Division, Army of the Potomac, the 7th Corps, Army of Virginia, and in the Antietam Campaign, were part of the 2nd Corps, Army of the Potomac, where the unit fought at the infamous Sunken Lane where an outnumbered, but strongly dug in, force held back the Union advance which would leave 5,500 soldiers killed or wounded after 3 hours of fighting. The area became more appropriately known as Bloody Lane, and the 5th Maryland lost 39 killed and 109 wounded, though Memmert seems to have been on detached service at the time. In June 1863 the regiment was part of Milroy’s Division of the 8th Corps at Winchester, where it was engulfed by Lee’s advance north in the Shenandoah at the opening of the Gettysburg Campaign. Memmert, along with most of the regiment, was taken prisoner. He languished in Libby Prison, the former food warehouse which gained an infamous reputation for the harsh conditions in which Union officers were imprisoned. Memmert was imprisoned for 10 months and 17 days until he was paroled in April 1864. The inscription on the sword is not dated, but the regimental designation of “Vet. Vol.” Infantry points to a date after his return in 1864, likely between May and July. The regiment joined the 18th Corps in June and Memmert, for some reason, fell afoul of General Butler, who ordered him dismissed as of July 31. Butler seems to have dismissed several officers about the same time who had offered resignations, which may have been the case with Memmert, who had medical issues earlier, that could not have been helped by imprisonment at Libby. In any case, this dismissal was revoked on May 18, 1865, and he was allowed to resign as of July 31, 1864, the date of his dismissal. Interestingly, just a week after his reinstatement, he testified on May 25, along with Lt. Col. Marsh of the 5th Maryland, on prison conditions at Libby in the trial of the Lincoln conspirators. If he appeared in uniform, the sword may have been at his side. He passed away in 1882 at the age of 54. This presentation grade model 1850 officer’s sword is beautiful and is worthy of an officer such as Captain Memmert. The blade is elegantly engraved with foliate and patriotic motifs which consume most of the length of the stopped fuller. The motifs are contained in a column which terminates in rococo designs. The obverse features a wonderfully scrolled pedestal which supports the figure of a uniformed officer, chiseled in a striking pose with rank epaulettes visible on shoulders and hands rested on a sword. Foliate scrolls form just above the officer’s head and intertwine with a dashing stand of arms which features a suit of armor, surrounded by spurs, swords, and maces which lead to crossed flags and a spontoon with curled banners traveling down its haft. The spontoon points upward to delicately engraved laurel leaves which form a bow and branch out to leaves and fit neatly into the curves of the column before it is terminated with a point. The reverse blade is equally impressive and features a similarly scrolled pedestal marked “TIFFANY / & CO. / N.Y.” which supports an enlisted man in full uniform, standing at attention and holding a guidon, with bayonet on his side. The tip of the flag pole points towards delicate foliate scrolls which lead to the script letters “U.S.” which form into lush vines at each end. The vines flow into more foliate scrolls which form into a sturdy oak branch, rich with leaves and acorns, and fit neatly into the curves of the column before it is terminated with a point. The reverse ricasso is marked “COLLINS & CO. / HARTFORD / CONN / 1862”. The hilt is marvelous and only compliments the appearance of the blade, as it features a brass guard, neatly cast and chased in the half basket design and features an American eagle perched atop a patriotic shield and flanked by flags along with elegant open foliate scrolls. The small counterguard is also neatly decorated with open foliate scrolls and a flower. The guard terminates with a leafy, rococo quillon and forms into a knucklebow which resembles a column, decorated with floral motifs. The knucklebow connects to the pommel which is wonderfully cast and features the face of Liberty surrounded by scrollwork. A bullion officer’s portepee is tied around the base of the knucklebow where it meets the pommel. A strand of laurel leaves borders the tiered pommel cap. The grip is of silver and features a delightful pattern of simulated scales. The sword is enhanced by its scabbard, which is constructed of brass, with silver washed body and gilded mounts. The mounts are fantastic and feature beautifully scalloped borders and thick scrolled designs on the obverse. Upper mount features a thick stand of arms with cannonballs that appear as if they will roll off the mount. The middle and lower mounts feature stylish open scrolled designs with a drag lush with open leaves that compliments the scrolled throat at the other end. Mounts are also adorned on the reverse and feature elegantly engraved designs including flowers on the middle mount and rococo designs on the lower mount. The upper and middle mounts each features brilliant serpent decoration which each retaining a carry ring. Even the carry rings are decorated with neatly cast grooves. CONDITION: The blade exhibits a wonderful light patina with decorations that remain nearly unmolested. This blade only exhibits light areas of freckling throughout its length but is otherwise excellent. The hilt exhibits only minor blemishes from handling and age while exhibiting a pleasing patina and traces of the original gilding. Grip exhibits a nice color with only minor wear. The scabbard also presents well and exhibits nice amounts of the original silver wash, exhibiting a light-yellow hue. Mounts are untouched and remain firmly secured to the scabbard body. Throat is missing the retaining pin and is loose. Scattered blemishes are exhibited on the scabbard body which do not detract from its appearance. The sword is accompanied by a folder of research regarding the service of Captain Memmert. This sword is featured on pgs. 143-144 of “Inscribed Union Swords 1861-1865”. This is an undeniably stunning example of a Civil War Tiffany & Co. presentation grade sword, worn by an officer with an interesting record, from early combat, to Libby Prison, to testifying at the trail of the Lincoln conspirators. The sword is outstanding, hard to upgrade, and would complement any collection.