December 10-13, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/13/2024
Lot consists of two military related engraved silver items belonging to a father and son who swore different oaths of allegiance. A) Wonderful silver engraved lapel dagger and scabbard belonging to an Alabama Confederate surgeon, with floral motif on one side of the central grip panel and the other engraved, “Jos. M. Williams M.D. / Surg./ 13th Regt. Ala. Vol./ C.S.A. 1861.” Likely brought from civilian life for emergency personal defense by a military surgeon who would typically serve unarmed. Hilt with floral and geometric skirt guard; grip with grooves and center swell, globular pommel. Scabbard engraved on top obverse. Sculpted globular tip. CONDITION: Scabbard and hilt Excellent; blade Fair- good edge and point, but stains and scratches to blade. Nice, muted age tones overall. B) Engraved silver interlocking fork and knife mess set. Both marked Sterling on the handles. The knife handle is engraved in script: “J.M.W. U.S.A.” The latter is the typical abbreviation for U.S. Army. CONDITION: Very good. Minor scratches from use. Upper fork likely cast and plated, showing wear and some darker metal. Joseph Milward Williams (1832-1882,) born Montgomery County, AL, studied medicine at the University of Alabama, received M.D. from U. Penn. 1853, returned to practice in Alabama. Enlisted 8/6/61; appointed Surgeon of the 13th Alabama 9/9/61; served as brigade surgeon January 1863; posted to military hospitals in Mobile in March, serving to the end of the war as Surgeon-in-Charge, Post Surgeon, Senior Surgeon, as well as Chief of Hospitals District of the Gulf. Returned to private medicine in Montgomery after the war. Son James Marks Williams (1873 -1922) graduated West Point 5th in the Class of 1900, and served twenty years in the artillery and coast artillery until retirement as Colonel in 1920.