Klingenthal Non-Regulation Combination Hilt French 1838/1853 Sword Presented to Lt. Thomas Hickey - 164th New York Infantry - WIA at Cold Harbor and Died of Wounds

American Civil War

30.5" slightly curved single edged spear point blade, 36.5" in overall length. 5.5" French combination hilt with multi-branch guard, chiseled backstrap and pommel cap and large eagle in the face of the guard. Grooved wooden grip covered in white shagreen with thirteen wraps of multi-strand wire. Spine with weak Klingenthal markings, partially obscured by etching. Blade with etched foliate themes, panoplies of arms, a US on the reverse and an eagle and E Pluribus Unum on the obverse. Leather scabbard with engraved gilt brass mounts, with the drag being particularly embellished. The obverse of the middle mount is engraved Lieut. Thos. Hickey/from/Co. C./155th N.Y.V. The sword is accompanied by a large binder of research and information about Hickey.

Thomas Hickey (1839-1864) was born in Canada of Irish immigrant parents and moved to America at a young age, settling in Potsdam, NY. He was approximately 23 years old when he joined the what would become one of the regiments of "Cochran's Irish Legion", which included the 182nd NY (69th NYSM), 155th NY, 164th NY and 170th NY. Records indicate that he was not actually commissioned until November 2, 1862 which was into Company A of the 164th NY. This may indicate the reason that the scabbard was engraved with 155th rather than 164th. The 164th was a Zouave unit and saw service in many of the major engagements in Virginia from the summer of 1863 through the end of the war. The regiment was first bloodied at the Battle of Deserted House and then participated in the Siege of Suffolk. They fought at Spotsylvania Court House, Totopotomoy Creek and Cold Harbor. At Cold Harbor Hickey was wounded five times, with one of the wounds destroying his right arm which had to be amputated. He died of his wounds on July 7, 1864.

From the Collection of George Oldenbourg

This lot is located in Cincinnati.