September 5-7, 2023 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/7/2023
Striking example of a presentation grade M1850 officer sword attributed to Dr. George E. Cooper. The sword is quite flashy and features a blade marked “W. CLAUBERG SOLINGEN” surrounding the Clauberg knight on the ricasso. Blade is decorated for about half its length with foliate and patriotic motifs that are muted by a pleasing gray patina. Scattered nicks to the edge. Spine is marked “IRON PROOF”. Hilt with open work guard that features a spread-winged eagle with an eagle head quillon. Knucklebow is decorated oak branches lush with leaves and acorns. Pommel features a spread-winged eagle wrapped with a banner just below the pommel cap, which resembles a large flower. Hilt retains nice amounts of original gilding with a light patina. Grip is silver and grooved to accommodate brass wire. Slight wobble when handled. Complete with scabbard that features an attractive browned finish. Gilded brass mounts that each feature shield escutcheons. Scabbard body exhibits scattered light dents with areas of oxidation and nice patina to finish. Significant dents in drag. CONDITION: Good. This sword has a verbal identification to U.S. Surgeon Dr. George E. Cooper from a pistol inscribed to Cooper once with the sword. Cooper was Post Surgeon at Fortress Monroe and assigned to care for former Confederate President Jefferson Davis in December 1865 during his imprisonment there after the departure of Dr. J.J. Craven, who had antagonized superiors by his apparently too lenient treatment of Davis, gone over their heads in appealing to Andrew Johnson to ameliorate Davis’s prison conditions, and then become a political liability after Johnson listened and then took criticism. Reports on Davis’s health by both Craven and Cooper are contained in the Official Records. Cooper’s reports extend at least to July 1866. (Davis was in custody until May 1867.) Cooper was born in Pennsylvania, appointed from that state in 1847 as Assistant Surgeon, 1st Lieutenant, and was reportedly at Fortress Monroe 1853-1861. Promoted Surgeon, Major, 21 May 1861, he was Medical Director on Gen. Thomas Sherman’s Port Royal Expedition and we find him later as Medical Director, Department of the Cumberland in early 1865. Heitman’s register lists him as Medical Director until 30 June 1865, perhaps the date of his return to Fortress Monroe. He had been breveted Lt. Colonel in 1864 and Colonel as of 13 Mar. 1865 for “faithful and meritorious service during the war.” He served also as “Medical Purveyor” during the Civil War and Assistant Medical Purveyor with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel from December 1876, serving in San Francisco until May 1880, when he was relieved of duty because of illness. He died there 13 April 1881 and is buried in Golden Gate National Cemetery.
Item Dimensions: L: 38"
Paperwork
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