Silver Gripped Schuyler, Hartley & Graham Presentation Sword of Lt. James March - 32nd Mass Infantry

American Civil War

32" singled edged spear point blade, 1.09" wide at ricasso, with a 22" stopped median fuller. Overall length 38.25" with a 6" gilt brass hilt and fluted silver grip. Reverse ricasso with Clauberg logo and maker's mark, obverse with Schuyler, Hartley & Graham mark. Spine of blade marked IRON PROOF. Blade etched with a large US on the reverse and a {Spread-Winged Eagle} on the obverse with gilt highlights. Ricasso and spine marks also with gilt highlights. Includes a German silver scabbard with chiseled and engraved gilt brass mounts. The reverse of the upper mount is engraved Presented to/LIEUT. J.H. MARCH/by Co. H/32nd Reg. Mass. Vols./August 1863. A large binder of information and research regarding March accompanies the sword, along with copies of period images of March. One copy of a seated studio CDV of March clearly shows him cradling this sword as the unique scalloped edges of the pommel cap are clearly visible in the image.

James H. March was a 27 year old machinist from Boston who initially enlisted in 6th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry on April 16, 1861 as a corporal. He was mustered out of the 90-day regiment on August 2, 1861. On October 28, 1861 he enlisted in Company C of the 32nd Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. The regiment saw its first combat at Second Manassas at the end of August 1862. The regiment was in reserve at Antietam and did not fight there. On October 10, 1862 March was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant of Company H and served in that role at the Battle of Fredericksburg. On April 21, 1863 March was promoted to 1st Lieutenant. The regiment fought at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg during 1863 and March served as company commander at Gettysburg. It is likely his leadership during that battle that the presentation on this scabbard commemorates. 1864 saw the regiment fight at The Wilderness, Spotsylvania and Bethesda Church, before joining in the Petersburg Campaign. On July 20th, 1864 March was promoted to Captain. He was then breveted to Major on March 13, 1865. March was mustered out on June 29, 1865.

From the Collection of George Oldenbourg

This lot is located in Cincinnati.