May 8-10, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/10/2024
A nice example of a US Civil War M1850 Foot Officer's sword marked "W. CLAUBERG / SOLINGEN" around the firm's knight logo on the ricasso. The blade is plain, with the exception of the letters "U.S." and a federal eagle on either side of the blade. Scattered blemishes throughout with a gray patina. Hilt with open scroll guard that features flowers and other foliate motifs with a thin knucklebow that connects to a tiered pommel with laurel leaves. Wood grip is leather wrapped with twisted wire in its grooves. Hilt with nice amounts of original gilding and patina. Grip with areas of leather loss and tight wire. Complete with its leather scabbard that features gilded brass mounts. A leather hanger is present. Areas of creases and cracks, with 1 significant area between the mounts. Scattered dents on mounts. Break at drag. The sword features a presentation on the upper mount that reads “Capt R. M. Hanson / 95th Regt. O.V. / USA / July 1862.” Hanson was born in 1836, enlisted in Company B of the 95th Ohio from Madison County July 24th, 1862, and received his commission in August. The regiment saw active service, losing 1 officer and 58 men killed or mortally wounded. It was unfortunate in being caught up in two defeats: the first at Richmond, Kentucky, in late August 1862, soon after organizing, where it lost 8 killed, 47 wounded, and almost all the regiment, some 600, captured. They were exchanged in November, reorganized for six months and then took an active part in the Vicksburg Campaign, followed by the advance on Jackson, and then moved with Sherman to Chattanooga, fighting at Missionary Ridge. In June 1864, they met their second mishap in Sturgis’s effort to keep Forrest busy during the Atlanta Campaign and were roundly defeated at Brice’s Crossroads, with Hanson wounded on the skirmish line and briefly captured. The regiment went on to fight Forrest more successfully at Tupelo, then move against Price in Arkansas and Missouri before reaching Nashville in time to take part in the battle there in December and then in the pursuit of Hood. They later took part in the capture of Mobile before moving on to Montgomery. Hanson was discharged June 29th, 1865. He seems to have applied for an invalid pension in 1868 and died in 1874, possibly from the effects of his war wound- the official report of Brice’s Crossroads indicates he had been seriously wounded. This sword is fresh to market and not been previously offered. CONDITION: Good.