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LOT 1247
Historic Civil War Presentation
Collins & Co. Etched Blade
Model 1850 Foot Officer’s
Sword with Scabbard Inscribed
to Lieutenant Frederick E.
Scripture of the 7th New
York Volunteer Artillery
- Manufactured in 1862
by Collins & Co.
of Hartford, Connecticut, this is a very attractive example of an M1850 Foot Officer’s pattern sword with a presentation
inscription on the scabbard. The sword itself measures approximately 38 1/8 inches overall, with a very gently curved
blade featuring martial and floral etching on both sides for approximately half the length. The maker’s mark and 1862
date are on the left ricasso. The brass guard is pierced with floral motifs and “US” and the knuckle guard ends in an eagle head type quillion that is fitted with red glass eyes. The grip is
roped cast brass with gilt wire wrap in the flutes and the brass pommel is engraved with floral motifs. A gold colored portepee is wrapped around the knuckle guard. The scabbard is of blued iron with
brass fittings, all of which show floral engraving, and the lower hanger fitting inscribed with “Lt. F.E. Scripture./R.Q.M. 7th N.Y.V.Arty./Presented by the members of the Q.M. Dept.” Two nickeled chains
are fitted on the hanging rings. The 7th New York Artillery was initially raised as the 113th New York Volunteer Infantry in August of 1862 before being converted to the 7th New York Heavy Artillery
in December of 1862 and assigned to the defenses around Washington. They were mostly assigned to the defenses north of the Potomac River until around May of 1864 when they were ordered to
serve as infantry, reassigned to the Army of the Potomac, joined Grant’s army at Spotsylvania, and in September of 1864, the regiment was
assigned to the famous “Irish Brigade”. In the regiment’s first one-hundred days in the field as an infantry unit, from Spotsylvania to Ream’s
Station (part of the Siege of Petersburg), they suffered 1,254 killed, wounded, and missing. Part of these casualty totals included heavy losses
at the Battle of Cold Harbor and the Siege of Petersburg. Scripture himself joined the regiment as a commissary sergeant and was mustered
out as a first lieutenant and the regimental quartermaster.
CONDITION: Fine, the blade shows mostly bright original polish with some scattered patches of darker grey patina, light surface spotting,
and the etching remaining mostly crisp. The brass shows traces of the original gilt finish and attractively aged patina otherwise. The
scabbard shows traces of original blue finish mixed with brown patina, attractively aged brass, and crisp engraving. A historic Civil War
presentation sword!
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 1246
Historic Civil War Schuyler, Hartley
& Graham Presentation Officer’s
Saber with Scabbard Inscribed to
Lieutenant George Krank from
Company K of the 7th New York
Artillery - This historic saber from
the Civil War features a 36 inch curved
blade with a spread wing eagle and
“E PLURIBUS UNUM” etched on the
center right, “SCHUYLER HARTLEY/&
GRAHAM/NEW YORK” etched retailer’s
mark above the right ricasso, large “U.S.”
etched panel on the center left, “IRON
PROOF” etched spine, and “W. CLAUBERG/
SOLINGEN” marked on the left ricasso.
The hilt is brass with scroll patterns and a foliate pattern ribbed silver grip. A gold and red sword knot is attached. The scabbard has scroll and laurel
pattern brass mounts and is inscribed “Presented to/Lieut Geo. Krank./by the members of Co K/7th N.Y. Artillery/as a token of their regard for him/as an
Officer.” The 7th New York Heavy Artillery Regiment was organized in Albany, New York, originally as the 113th New York Volunteer Infantry in August
1862 and was re-designated the 7th Heavy Artillery in December 1862 and served in the defenses of Washington, D.C., before being sent into battle
as infantry, joining Grant at Spotsylvania on May 17th, 1864. George, August, and Joseph Krank all served in the regiment. They were born in Germany
and emigrated to Albany, New York, with their father after the death of their mother in 1846. George Krank is recorded as enlisting on August 15, 1862,
in Albany as a second lieutenant in Company K. He was promoted on January 23, 1864, to first lieutenant in Company E. The New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center’s
newspaper clippings for the 7th New York Heavy Artillery Regiment provides details on his service and the presentation of the sword. One clipping reads: “Presentation.—Lieut. George Krank, of
Co. K, 7th N. Y. V. Artillery, was recently presented with a beautiful sword and shoulder straps by the members of his company. Adjutant Tremain made the presentation address. The Lieutenant
was taken completely by surprise. It was a deserved testimonial, and is a gratifying evidence of the regard of his men for him.” A letter from camp near Spotsylvania on May 20, 1864, by Major Springsteed provides details of Krank
being wounded in combat at the Battle of the Wilderness: “We were ordered out this afternoon, expecting to march about dark for some point at a considerable distance; but a little after four o’clock we were double-quicked to
the right of the turnpike, where the enemy had attacked our line. We advanced through a piece of thick woods, and soon met the enemy. They made a hasty retreat before our advance, and we drove them nearly half a mile, when
they turned on us and we had a sharp fight, in which I lost, in my battalion, Capts. Morris and McCullock, killed, and Capt. Bell wounded in the leg (which has since been amputated). I also lost a number of men. In Col. Hastings’
battalion, Lieut. Krank was wounded in the head. The loss of men and officers in my battalion was the greatest. Total loss, four officers and forty-three men killed and wounded.” He resigned on August 19, 1864.
CONDITION: Fine with silver-gray patina, minor pitting, and distinct etching and markings on the blade; attractively aged patina on the hilt and grip, bright scabbard body with crisp presentation
inscription and scattered dents, and attractively aged patina on the scabbard mounts. Overall, this is a very attractive Civil War presentation sword.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
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