September 9, 10, & 11, 2025 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/9/2025
Richly embellished presentation 1850 Staff and Field Officer’s Sword, “W. Clauberg / Solingen” and trademark knight at reverse ricasso. “Iron Proof” with leafy vine on blade spine. Eagle and ball pommel with faceted amethyst on face. Deeply cast and chased gilt brass hilt with foliate motifs to pommel, knucklebow and open work guard with folding reverse guard. Floating Gothic “U.S.” with large fan-shell umbrella throat cap on underside of counterguard. Ivory grip carved obverse with US eagle, shield, flags; leaves around the base. Blade with red sealing pad in place at blade shoulder. Gold-washed etched blade with stand of arms and banners at base on either side. Obverse with central battle scene with infantry, smoke, casualties, charging artillery battery, framed by geometric/foliate panels top and bottom. Reverse with smaller middle and upper panels separated by geometric/foliate motifs: floating eagle with US shield flourishing EPU ribbon and foliate U.S. above. Silvered nickel-silver scabbard with deeply cast and chased gilt brass foliate scroll mounts. Upper ring mount with mounted St. George slaying dragon in high relief with traces of silver wash. Middle mount with applied blue enamel and diamond studded shield with inlaid Gothic “S.” Drag with applied flowers, stems and leaves to face and edge. The presentation is located between upper and middle mounts in gilt rope bordered oval reading, “Presented to / Co. W.B. Sipes / 7th Regiment Penna Veteran Cavalry / by the Friends of the Regiment / 1864.” The presentation of the sword at Pottsville, PA, in March 1864, with the specific inscription, along with a set of colors and guidons to the regiment “by citizens generally” and a pair of spurs to Sipes by the ladies of Pottsville after the regiment reenlisted as veterans is recorded in the regimental history: “Of course, these were not personal compliments, but were honors bestowed upon a regiment that had, in the field, won a reputation of which its friends at home were justly proud.”. William Barton Sipes (1831-1905) became Lt. Colonel of the 7th PA Cavalry in August 1861 and Colonel July 1863. He was praised in official reports for Shelbyville in June 1863, had temporary brigade command late in the year, and commanded the post at Columbia, Tennessee, from June-November 1864 when he resigned due to health. The regiment served by battalion and detachment in central Tennessee in 1862 seeing combat in various small unit actions, but also at the Battle of Perryville. Reunited as a regiment, they were Stones River in December and in 1863 at Rover, Unionville, Franklin, McMinnville, Shelbyville, Sparta and Chickamauga. In 1864 they were active in the Atlanta Campaign. The regiment was recognized for aggressive tactics, at least four time launching charges that drove enemies off the fields and using sharpened sabers. CONDITION: Excellent overall with much bright gilt finish. Hilt with strong gilt on hilt. Grip with good color and detail. No damage. Scabbard has no dents, good silvering to body. Slight wear to silvering of mounted knight. Bright blue enamel and silver to shield with all stones in place. Blade with no nicks, good edge, remnants of the gold wash with clear, detailed etching showing only minor, thin age spots. Accompanied by its original wood storage box. A fine condition, very impressive, elaborate sword, even by Clauberg standards, for the commander of a very active regiment.
Item Dimensions: 45" X 8" X 5"