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Arms, Armor & Militaria
|
- Sale 1293
Live
| Cincinnati
Oct 24 | 10:00 AM EDT
Live
| Cincinnati
Sale 1293
| Cincinnati
| Cincinnati
Estimate$3,000 – $5,000
30.75" single-edged slightly curved spear point blade with a 22.25" stopped central fuller and a 13" narrow fuller along the spine. Blade is 1.125" wide at the ricasso and the overall length of the sword is 36.5" with a 6" hilt. Gilt cast brass guard with floral decorations. Grooved wood grip covered in shagreen with 15 wraps of twisted wire. Obverse of blade etched at the ricasso W.H. / Horstmann / & Sons / PHILADELPHIA. Spine etched IRON PROOF. Blade with 18" acid etched panels with flowing foliate scrolls, patriotic and martial themes, a {Spread-Winged Eagle} with a ribbon reading E Pluribus Unum surmounting a {Spread-Winged Eagle} as the central image on the obverse and a large US as the central image on the reverse. The sword is accompanied by hits shagreen covered brass mounted leather scabbard with two suspension rings. The obverse of the upper mount is engraved Presented to/Lieut. James J Reeves/ CO H 24TH Regt N.J. Vol./by his sister Ellie/1862. A CDV of Reeves accompanies the sword, showing him seated in a studio setting with the period inked ID on the reverse that reads Lieut. Reeves/24th Regiment/N Jersey Volunteers/1863. The CDV has a Brady's National Portrait Gallery backmark.
James J Reeves (1839-1907) was an attorney who was six days shy of his 23rd birthday when he was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant in the US volunteers on September 3, 1862. He was mustered into Company H of 24th New Jersey on September 16th. The 24th NJ was assigned to the 1st Brigade 3rd Division of the 2nd Corps of the Army of the Potomac and saw their first combat at the Battle of Fredericksburg. Here the regiment was heavily mauled, like much of the Army of the Potomac and suffered some 160 casualties. Among those was Lt. Reeves who was wounded in the left arm above the elbow. The regiment was next engaged the following spring at Chancellorsville in May where they suffered minimal casualties by comparison, with only 36 killed, wounded or missing. However, Reeves was again among the injured, being shot in the left hand with the ball entering at the wrist and exiting at the thumb. As the 24th NJ was only a 9-month regiment, they were mustered out of service on June 29, 1863. Reeves returned to his pre-war law career and died at the age of 68 on September 20, 1907.
The sword is accompanied by a large binder of research regarding Reeves and his service, including copies of his service records, his wife's widow's pension application, unit history information, images, etc.
From the Collection of George Oldenbourg
To request further details about this lot, please email [email protected]
Tim Carey
Associate Vice President, Head of Department, Arms, Armor and Militaria
Ms. Emma Fulmer
ATF Manager, Senior Coordinator, Arms, Armor & Militaria
Good to very good. Blade with a mostly dull pewter patina and retaining most of the etching. The blade shows some scattered oxidation and discoloration as well as some minor wear and some loss to the etching. The blade shows some lightly scattered pinpricking and minor pitting as well as some nicks and chips along the cutting edge. Hilt with some of the gilt remaining, grip wrap with moderate wear and some some surface finish loss. Twisted brass wire intact. Leather throat washer in place. Scabbard with moderate wear to the shagreen covering with areas of loss and some old glued repairs, primarily on the reverse. Scabbard with some bends and creases and areas of weakness. Mounts with traces of gilt finish, showing wear and some dings and marks. CVD good to very good.
The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Freeman's staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.
The absence of a posted condition report on the Freeman's website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's.
Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.
