December 10, 2019 Edged Weapon, Armor & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2019
Elaborate Clauberg presentation sword and scabbard given to Felix G. McCrea, 7th Kentucky Cavalry. Clauberg swords are collected in their own right for the quality of their products and their blades were often used by American assemblers. The gilt hilt is deeply cast and chased with a prominent crouching eagle at top. The face of the pommel is covered with coils and scrolls with a slight silver wash at points. A faceless head of Columbia sits below the wreathed edge of the pommel cap. The grips feature a deeply cast and detailed standing Columbia with shield and wreath, with stars overhead on the obverse. On the reverse is a gilt display of arms among deep scrolls and floral designs. The counterguard, cast, chased, and engraved inside and out, features an eagle fighting a snake with a prominent US, the tail of the snake looping through the "U." The underside of the guard has a cup formed of feathers and talons that cover the scabbard throat. Blade has Clauberg logo at reverse ricasso, back of blade etched "Iron Proof." Floral, military and patriotic motifs on both sides of the blade with traces of gold wash at the base on each side. Obverse features 5" long panel with battle scene of lines of troops being lead against an enemy line at right. Cannons fire. Officers with swords are mounted. One center falls from his horse. Scabbard is steel with openwork brass middle mounts with floral cast rings. Shell fans extend from throat. Drag with floral engraving front and back. Applied panel with blank, round center panel and scrolling floral extensions. Scabbard is inscribed in six lines between the middle mounts in script and block lettering: "Presented to Felix G. McRea Adjutant of the 7th KY. Cav. the Friend, the Patriot and the Soldier by the line officers of his Regiment. Nashville Tenn. Sept. 27th 1863." McCrea enlisted at Louisville, KY, and was mustered in as Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant in the 7th KY Cavalry 9/19/62. He was promoted to First Lieutenant and Adjutant 12/11/62. He was promoted to Captain of Co. G as of 11/21/64. He mustered out 7/10/65 with the regiment. The regiment served in the Department and Army of the Ohio and Cumberland and in the Military Division of the Mississippi. CWdata gives instances at which they were engaged with some loss. During their service they lost two officers and twenty-two enlisted men killed or mortally wounded. A Felix G. McCrea served in the Confederate service as a member of the 5th Arkansas Infantry from June 1861 until his desertion from the unit in May 1862. That regiment served in Kentucky and it seems likely this is the same man. If so, as a deserter who joined the enemy, he was fighting with a noose around his neck. In 1866 he joined the 8th US Cavalry and served for a year. He there listed his birthplace as Pennsylvania and his occupation as "soldier." There may be quite a story here. At the very least, the sword testifies that he was well respected by his new regiment.
CONDITION: Excellent. Hilt preserves most of its gilt on the pommel, the interior and the face of the guard. Slight rubbing to brass along exterior of upper branch in counterguard. Blade frosting is thin, but designs are vivid. Traces of gold wash near ricasso. Openwork scabbard mounts are deeply cast and chased. Scabbard body is bright with scattered grey and a little dusting of brown. SR
Paperwork
Information of Felix McCrea