Arms, Armor and Militaria

32.5" slightly curved single-edged spear point blade with 22.5" stopped median fuller. Blade 1.1" wide at ricasso, overall length 38.5". 6.25" hilt with gilt brass guard and grooved wooden grip covered in shagreen with thirteen wraps of multi-strand wire. Spine of blade etched IRON PROOF. Blade etched with a foliate scroll panel on the obverse with the central figure being a spread-winged eagle over the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM in a ribbon. The reverse similarly engraved with a large US being the central image. The sword is accompanied by its gilt brass mounted leather scabbard with the upper mount engraved: Presented to/Maj. J.C. Lane/102nd NYSV/May 5, 1862. A large binder of information and research regarding lane is included. The sword was previously offered for sale in Norm Flayderman's Catalog #93 and subsequently sold to Wiley Sword who wrote an article about the sword for the January 1994 issue of Gettysburg Magazine. The sword was subsequently sold at the Wiley Sword collection auction in 1999 which was administered by James D. Julia and the sword was sold again by James D Julia in October of 2007.

James C. Lane (1823-1888) was 38 years old when he volunteered for the Union cause on January 1, 1862. On March 7, 1862 he was commissioned the major of the 102nd New York Volunteer Infantry. The regiment saw its first action at Cedar Mountain on August 9, where Major Lane led the regiment. The 102nd then participated in the Maryland Campaign that culminated at Antietam where Lane, now a lieutenant colonel, was noted for his gallantry in fighting around the Dunker Church. Lane was subsequently promoted to colonel and command of the regiment on December 14, 1862. the 102nd started 1863 with Burnside's Mud March and then fought at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. Lane was wounded in intensive fighting around Culp's Hill on July 2nd, receiving a gunshot wound in the arm. The fall of 1863 saw the 102nd NY transferred to the Western Theater where they participated in the Chattanooga Campaign and fought at the Battles of Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge and Ringgold Gap. The regiment continued to fight in the west through the Atlanta Campaign. Lane was discharged on July 12, 1864 due to the consolidation of the 102nd NY with the 78th NY.