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LOT 3247
Historic Post Civil War Presentation Eisenhauer/F. Horster Etched Blade M1850 Pattern Presentation Sword with Gilt Scabbard
half their strength either killed or wounded. From there they joined in the pursuit of general John Bell Hood’s army, and in November 1864 took part in Sherman’s famous “March to the Sea”. In early 1865, the 32nd was part of Sherman’s Carolina’s
Inscribed to Lieutenant M.C. Adler of the 32nd Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry - NSN. Manufactured in Solingen, Germany by the Eisenhauer firm and then assembled and retailed by F. Horster, this is a very attractive example of a Civil War officer’s
presentation sword patterned after the M1850 sword of the period. The scabbard is inscribed “Presented to Lieut. M.C. Adler By the Members of Co. D. 32. O.V.V.I. June. 27th. 1865.” The 32nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry regiment was
organized in Mansfield, Ohio in July to September of 1861, shortly after the outbreak of the Civil War, and were mustered in for three years. Michael
C. Adler mustered into the regiment in July and was appointed corporal. Through 1861 and most of 1862, the 32nd took part in the Shenandoah campaigns against “Stonewall” Jackson, being
dispatched to Harper’s Ferry in September of 1862. From 12-15 September, the regiment was involved in the Battle of Harper’s Ferry, and they were among the 12,000 Union troops captured there when Jackson
captured the town. The regiment was paroled shortly after, but their colonel was charged and found guilty of dereliction of duty. Extremely demoralized,
desertion from the regiment was rampant, with many of the regiments officers being prosecuted for inciting disaffection and revolt among the enlisted
men. At one point, the regiment only reported 35 men fit for duty before their numbers were replenished and they were reassigned to Ulysses S. Grant’s Army of the Tennessee, with which
they embarked upon the Vicksburg Campaign, during which they took part in the Battle of Champions Hill and the siege and capture of Vicksburg proper. Adler was promoted to sergeant in May of 1863. By December 1863 and January 1864, three-quarters of the regiment had reenlisted, they took part in Tecumseh Sherman’s Meridian Expedition, and then received veteran’s furlough in March and April of 1864. Around this time, Adler was promoted to first sergeant. In June 1864, the regiment again joined Sherman for his Atlanta Campaign, fighting in the battles of Kennesaw Mountain, Nicojack Creek, Atlanta, Ezra Church, and Jonesborough, losing
LOT 3248
Attractive Period Engraved Civil War Starr Arms Co. Model 1863 Single Action Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 52575, 44 cal., 8 inch round bbl.,
blue finish, walnut grips. This Model 1863 single action revolver was manufactured by the Starr Arms Co. in New York City between 1863 and 1865. The Starr Arms Co. produced approximately 32,000 single action percussion revolvers between 1863 and 1865. Nearly all of these revolvers
were manufactured under U.S. government contract. Civilian models, like this revolver, are scarce. The revolver has a high polish blue finish on the barrel, frame, cylinder, trigger guard and back strap and casehardened hammer and loading lever. The one-piece oil-finished grip is checkered. The lower right side of the frame is roll-stamped “STARR’S PATENT JAN 15, 1856”. The opposite side of the frame is marked “STARR. ARMS. CO. NEW. YORK.” The serial number is stamped on the front of the frame below the loading lever, on the six-shot cylinder and in the
Campaign and involved in mopping up the remnants of Joseph E. Johnston’s battered army, which surrendered in late April 1865. Shortly after this in mid-May, Adler was promoted to 2nd lieutenant, just before the regiment took part in the Grand Review in Washington D.C. on 24 May 1865. The regiment spent most of June and early July in Louisville, Kentucky, where lieutenant Adler was presented this sword by the men of his company, and
the regiment was discharged on 27 July 1865. During the course of the war, the regiment lost 104 men killed in action and another 145 to disease. The regiment mustered into the war with 950 men, receiving 1,600 additional replacement enlistees during the course of the war, and mustered out with only 565 men. The turbulent redemption arc of this particular regiment makes it all the more impressive that Michael C. Adler served the entire war in its ranks, from being one of only 35 reporting for duty after an embarrassing defeat at Harper’s Ferry. To one of the veterans reenlisting in the winter of 1863-1864 to see out the war. To being one of 565 survivors mustered out in 1865 with the Union victorious and the conclusion of the war.
The sword itself is a very attractive non-regulation presentation sword manufactured by Eisenhauer in Solingen, and likely assembled and retailed by F. Horster, a known large scale supplier of swords to the American market during the period. It measures 37 1/2 inches overall with a 32 inch, slightly curved blade, very close in pattern to the M1850. The blade has patriotic, martial, and floral motifs etched on both sides for about half the length. The hilt is of gilt brass with ornately cast floral, “US”, liberty, and patriotic themes, as well as a lavender gemstone set in the pommel. The brass scabbard is also gilt, with ornate lockets featuring Liberty and a Zouave soldier, and the above inscription hand engraved between them.
CONDITION: Very good, the blade showing mostly a grey patina with some light pitting near the tip and some minor dings along the spine, as well as mostly well-defined etching. The hilt retains much of the gilt finish with some light verdigris and minor dings, and the balance mostly an attractively aged brass. The scabbard retains most of the gilt finish with some scattered minor dings and dents. A historic sword that was presented to the steadfast defender of the Union, lieutenant Michael C. Adler of the 32nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry!
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
hammer well. Nearly all of the major components, which
include the top and sides of the barrel, cylinder and frame
sides, feature a period applied vine and leaf engraving left in the white
as it was cut through the finish. Star burst patterns adorn the front sides
of the frame. Fancy geometric engraved line motifs are featured on the
top of the frame, trigger guard, front strap and back strap. The engraving was
executed after the revolver was finished.
CONDITION: Very fine. The revolver retains 70% original blue finish with the balance a mix of smooth brown and gray patinas. There is some minor pitting on the back strap. 40% of the original case colors remain (mostly on the hammer). The grip is fine with some minor pressure dents (mostly on the bottom), high edge wear and crisp checkering overall.
Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,000
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