Ames Model 1850 Foot Officers Sword Presented to Capt. David Lamb - 31st New York Volunteers

American Civil War

30.5" slightly curved single-edges spear point blade with 20.5" stopped median fuller. Overall length 36.5" with a 6" hilt. Gilt cast brass guard with foliate decorations, grooved wooden grip covered in shagreen, with 15 wraps of twisted wire. Blade etched with decorative foliate scrolls, martial and patriotic themes. The blade is Ames marked twice, once with the "scroll" address on the reverse ricasso and once in an etched panel above the ricasso on the obverse. The sword is accompanied by gilt brass mounted leather scabbard with an Ames mark on the reverse of the upper mount. The scabbard has a period brass repair between the middle mount and the drag, done so as to match the mounts and does not detract. The obverse of the upper mount is engraved with a detailed presentation that reads: Presented to/Capt. David Lamb/Co. H. 31st Regt. U.S.V./by his Friends/THE BUTCHERS OF/WASHINGTON MARKET above the suspension mount and names the seven members of the "committee" below the mount. A binder of research and information about Lamb is included with the sword. The sword was purchased from Norm Flayderman's Catalog 104 and the relevant portion of that catalog is included.

David Lamb was 38 years old when he was commissioned a captain to command Company H of the 31st New York Volunteer Infantry in May of 1861. It is unclear if Lamb had worked as a butcher, explaining the presentation of the sword from the butchers of Washington Market, but the most likely David Lamb from New York appears to have been born in Scotland about 1824 and emigrated to the United States with his family in 1826. He worked as a carpenter and a builder for his entire life, except for the period of time he was a solider during the Civil War. The 31st New York was organized in New York City in May of 1861 and moved to Washington DC in late June. They fought at the Battle of 1st Manassas where they suffered a single casualty who was taken prisoner.

After the battle the returned to the Washington area where they remained until the commencement of the Peninsula Campaign the following spring. Apparently the life of a soldier did not agree with Lamb and he resigned his commission on March 20, 1862 and returned to New York where he continued to work as a builder. Lamb died in 1899.

From the Collection of George Oldenbourg

This lot is located in Cincinnati.