November 15 & 16, 2022 Extraordinary Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/15/2022
Tilghman, grandson of Washington’s Aide-de-Camp, was born in Talbot County, Maryland, in 1810. He graduated West Point in 1832 and served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 4th US Artillery in the Seminole War in Florida, resigning November 30, 1833. One source refers to him as having been a friend of Jefferson Davis in the army. He was commissioned as a Brigadier General on August 8, 1837, and rose to the rank of Major General in the Maryland militia by 1861, when he was stripped of his commission by Governor Hicks due to a “bellicose order” issued to his division when Massachusetts troops entered the state at the beginning of the war. Arrested and investigated as a Southern sympathizer by federal authorities, he was eventually released on parole, which was lifted in late 1863. His son, Tench F. Tilghman, was one of several Marylanders serving as Jefferson Davis’s escort at the fall of Richmond in 1865. In civilian life he served twice as President of the Maryland and Delaware Railroad. The elder Tilghman died unexpectedly at Baltimore in 1874. A small folder of information accompanies the sword, and comes with an old museum tag which states this 1834 Pattern sword belonged to General Tilghman and is marked as appraised in 1983. The sword is a standard 1834 pattern US officer's sword with brass hilt. Globe pommel with simple incised lines. Knucklebow with raised dot design, joining crossguard at quillon block, boat-shape guard slotted at bottom, closed at top with an open heart. Wood core of grip present with good patina, stamped copper faux-wire wrap. Blade is spadroon form, straight, single edge transitioning to double edge midway with single fuller tapering off at that point. Etched designs decorate the blade, which are foliate and patriotic in nature. The designs included potted plants which scroll into vines that flank crossed cannons and federal eagles, all contained on panels in the shape of columns which terminate in domed and crowned spires. The sword is accompanied by its leather scabbard which features brass mounts that are nicely line engraved. No carry rings, just a single brass stud on the upper mount for the accommodation of a leather frog. This was most likely the sword General Tilghman carried from the beginning of his career. CONDITION: The blade exhibits a gray patina which has obscured most of the etched designs. Hilt exhibits a pleasing honey patina with scattered blemishes from handling and age. Wrap remains tightly bound to the wood grip. Scabbard exhibits creases and scuffs which are typical of old leather. Mounts exhibit a matching honey patina to the guard and are firmly attached to the scabbard body. A metal rod was inserted in the scabbard in order to keep it straight. The rod is difficult to remove therefore the sword is stored outside of the scabbard. The sword is accompanied by a small folder of collection notes and research, and most importantly, the original manilla tag attributing this sword to the General. Overall good.
Paperwork
Folder of Information