April 11-13, 2023 Firearms and Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/13/2023
John J. Bradshaw was born in Ireland in 1840, a time in Irish history blackened by The Great Famine. Luckily, he and his family were able to escape the harshness of Ireland and immigrate to the United States. With increasing hostilities and the division of the United States, Bradshaw enlisted in the 6th Maryland, U.S., as 2nd lieutenant of Company C, on July 30, 1862 and mustered in as captain of Company H, redesignated Company I, on August 30, 1862. The regiment served in the 8th Corps until July 1863, when it joined the Army of the Potomac, and saw heavy action thereafter in the 3rd and 6th Corps in both the Army of the Potomac, and the Army of the Shenandoah. Except for brief leaves of absence, Bradshaw was present with his company throughout the war in all their major engagements. He was wounded in the wrist at the Wilderness, during the first day on May 5, 1864, when the fighting was so fierce and only ended for the evening because of darkness with inconclusive results, as both sides attempted to maneuver in the unforgiving woods. He may have received a 30-day leave after being wounded. Bradshaw was brevetted Major of Volunteers “for gallant and meritorious services before Petersburg, Va.” to date from April 2, 1865, the final assault on the city, where the regiment was involved in heavy fighting around Fort Gregg. He mustered out with the regiment in June 1865 and is recorded to have died in Maryland in 1910. The regiment’s service history is illustrious and is as follows: Defense of Williamsport, Md., September 20-21, 1862. Action at Kelly's Ford June 10, 1863. Berryville June 13. Opequan Creek June 13. Battle of Winchester 14-15. Pursuit of Lee to Manassas Gap, Virginia, July 5-24. Wapping Heights, Virginia, July 23. New York draft disturbances. Bristoe Campaign October 9-22. Culpeper Court House October 11. Bristoe Station October 14. Kelly's Ford November 7. Brandy Station November 8. Mine Run Campaign November 26-December 2. Payne's Farm November 27. Demonstration on the Rapidan February 6-7, 1864. Campaign from the Rapidan to the James River May 3-June 15. Battles of the Wilderness May 5-7. Spottsylvania May 8-12. Spottsylvania Court House May 12-21. Assault on the Salient, "Bloody Angle," May 12. North Anna River May 23-26. On line of the Pamunkey May 26-28. Totopotomoy May 28-31. Cold Harbor June 1-12. Before Petersburg June 18-July 6. Jerusalem Plank Road June 22-23 Ream’s Station June 29. Battle of Monocacy July 9. Pursuit of Early to Snicker's Gap July 14-24. Snicker's Ferry July 17-18. Sheridan's Shenandoah Valley Campaign August 6-November 28. Charleston August 29. Battle of Winchester September 19. Fisher’s Hill September 22. Battle of Cedar Creek October 19. Siege of Petersburg December 6, 1864, to April 2, 1865. Fort Fisher, Petersburg, March 25, 1865. Appomattox Campaign March 28-April 9. Assault on and fall of Petersburg April 2. Pursuit of Lee April 3-9. Appomattox Court House April 9. Surrender of Lee and his army. Mustered out June 20, 1865. Though worn, Bradshaw’s Canfield Brother & Co. non-regulation Model 1850 Staff and Field Officer’s sword is quite attractive and is fitting for an officer of his caliber. The presentation is located on the upper mount and reads “To / Capt. J.J. Bradshaw / 6th Md. Regt. Vol. / from the / members of his company / Sep 1, 1862”. Once unsheathed, the blade reveals its elegantly etched decorations. The obverse features a bundle of arms and flags, followed by a spread winged federal eagle, a marching soldier in armor carrying a flag at the center, and a patriotic banner with drum and crossed arms, followed by neatly etched scrollwork just above the ricasso, which is etched with a Maryland Cross. The reverse exhibits similar patriotic motifs including a panoply of arms, covered with a patriotic shield and crossed arms, followed by a scrolled vignette which contains the letters “US” which are separated by a patriotic shield. The forte features a beautiful scene of artillerymen, with mounted officer and soldiers ready to man their cannon contained in a foliate vignette. “Canfield / Brother / & Co. / Baltimore / M.d.” is etched just above the ricasso which is decorated with a large flower. All of the blade designs are intertwined with ivy vines. The blade meets the cast brass hilt at the guard which beautifully cast and chased open foliate and floral scrollwork which surrounds the small letters “US” The guard terminates into a leaf engraved quillon on 1 side and morphs into the knucklebow which meets the laurel leaves which decorate the base of the pommel. Pommel cap is decorated with floral motifs. Wood grip, grooved and wrapped with high quality sharkskin and twisted brass wire. The sword is complete with its leather scabbard which features brass mounts that are nicely stippled and decorated on the obverse. The mounts each accommodate a carry ring. Bands are decorated with laurel leaves. CONDITION: The blade exhibits an excellent gray patina, enough to give the sword character but not enough to detract from the etching which remain crisp. Scattered freckling. Hilt exhibits a pleasing patina with traces of original gilding present. Grip exhibits heavy wear with tight wire. Scabbard exhibits various blemishes typical of old leather with heavier scuffing after the middle mount. Tight seam. Missing drag. Mounts exhibit similar patina to hilt. Presentation remains crisp and legible. Overall good. A very nice Civil War sword presented to a Maryland officer with a preeminent record.
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