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LOT 1252
Historic Civil War W. H. Horstmann & Sons U.S. Model 1850 Foot Officer’s Sword and Scabbard Inscribed with “Hamilton Lieber” and Battle Dates for the 9th Illinois Infantry - The 31
3/4 inch long lightly curved blade has patriotic partial etching featuring “U.S.” on the left, “E PLURIBUS UNUM” on the right, martial trophies, and “W.H./Horstmann/& Sons/PHILADELPHIA” above the
right ricasso. The gilt brass hilt has scroll and foliate
patterns and a wire wrapped shagreen grip. The top of
the guard is inscribed “Saratoga Ky. Oct 22, 1861, Fort
Donelson Tenn. Feb 15 1862/New York Riot July
13, 1863, Whitehouse Landing Va June 20, 1864.”
The black leather scabbard has gilt brass fittings,
and “Hamilton Lieber” is inscribed near the mouth.
Alfred Hamilton Lieber (1835-1876), known by his middle name,
was the second son of Dr. Franz Lieber (1798-1872), a professor
at Columbia College who codified the laws of war for the
Lincoln administration and later preserved the Confederacy’s
records after the fall of Richmond. His brother Oscar died while
fighting for the Confederacy while his younger brother Guido Norman Lieber also fought for the Union and later became a brigadier general and remains the longest serving head of the
U.S. Army’s Judge Advocate General’s Department, serving 1884 to 1901. He was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy but left after a year to become a farmer. With the outbreak of the
Civil War, he joined the Illinois volunteers. His service is recorded succinctly in “Military Record of Civilian Appointments in the United States Army, Volume 1” by Guy V. Henry in 1969
on page 30 and matches the inscription details on the sword: “Second Lieutenant 9th Illinois Volunteers, April, 1861. First Lieutenant 9th Illinois Volunteers, July, 1861. Engaged at the
action of Saratoga, Ky., and siege and capture of Fort Donelson, Tenn., wounded and lost his left arm. Captain Veteran Reserve Corps, June, 1863. Present during the riots in New-York
City, July, 1863. At White-House Landing, June, 1864. Captain and Military Storekeeper, Quartermaster’s Department U.S. Arm, July, 1866. At Fort Union, N. M., from August 1866, to -”. The Illinois State
Journal on March 15, 1862, also indicated “General Halleck has nominated for the appointment of aid de camp, with the rank of captain, First Lieut. Hamilton Lieber, Ninth Illinois Infantry, (son of Dr.
Lieber of Columbia College,) for distinguished service in the capture of Fort Donelson, in which engagement he was twice wounded. In the mean time, Captain Lieber is gradually recovering from
the amputation of his left arm.” He retired from the U.S. Army on December 13, 1875, and went to Germany in an attempt to improve his health but died in Baden-Baden in 1876.
CONDITION: Fine overall. The blade is mostly bright and has patches of oxidation staining, distinct etching, and minor wear. The hilt and scabbard fittings have attractively aged patina. The grip has
mild wear. The leather has some flexing and cracking and the leather half detached above the drag. The inscriptions on the hilt and scabbard are both distinct.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 1253
Historic Civil War U.S. Model
1850 Staff & Field Officer’s
Sword with Scabbard
Inscribed to Major William
R. Warnock of the 95th
Ohio Volunteer Infantry,
Later a U.S. Congressman - This Civil War officer’s sword features a 31 7/8 inch blade with the Clauberg maker’s mark on the left ricasso, a brass hilt with eagle head
quillion and silvered brass grip, and a blued iron scabbard with brass mounts and “W. R. Warnock/MAJOR. 95./Ohio. Inf. Vols.” on the reverse of the upper band. The
sword is accompanied by copies of information relating to William R. Warnock (1838-1918). He had graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University and was studying law
when the Civil War broke out. He enlisted as a captain in Company G of the 95th Ohio Volunteer Infantry on July 21, 1862, and was promoted to major on July 28, 1863,
and then to brevet lieutenant colonel on March 15, 1865. At the end of the war, he served as the chief of staff of the Eastern District of Mississippi until mustering out
on August 14, 1865. After returning to civilian life, he finished his legal studies and practiced law, serving as a prosecuting attorney in 1868 to 1872 and in other civic
roles before being elected to the Ohio State Senate in 1876-1877 and then was elected a common pleas judge in 1879-1889. From 1901-1905, he represented Ohio’s
8th District as a Republican Congressman. After returning from Washington, he was appointed a pension agent by President Theodore Roosevelt. He was also active in
Masonic and veteran organizations, including serving as the commander of the Loyal Legion in Ohio and the Ohio Department of the Grand Army of the Republic.
CONDITION: Good with a partially bright blade with some gray patina and spots of pitting, fading finish on the grip, dark aged patina on the hilt and scabbard fittings with areas turning a
dark brick red, mix of fading original finish and dark patina on the scabbard body, and mild overall wear including dents concentrated on the drag.
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 1254
Civil War W. H. Horstmann & Sons
Presentation U.S. Model 1850 Foot
Officer’s Sword with Engraved German
Silver Grip and Scabbard Inscribed to
Captain C. Byington from His Company - This
beautiful and historic sword features a 31 3/8 inch lightly curved blade wit scroll and patriotic
etching along with an etched “W. H./Horstmann/& Sons/Philadelphia” maker’s mark on the right. The gilt brass hilt has scroll and foliate designs, and the German silver grip is engraved with scrollwork
and a stand of Union flags and a shield. The scabbard has an iron body and brass fittings with classical martial motifs. The upper band is inscribed “To/Capt. C. Byington./from his Company.” on the
reverse. The inscription indicates this sword was presented to Major Cornelius Byington (1829-1863), likely around May 25, 1861, when he was commissioned captain of Company C of the Michigan
2nd Volunteer Infantry Regiment. He was promoted to major on July 26, 1862. Major Byington was mortally wounded on November 24, 1863, at Knoxville, Tennessee,
while commanding the 2nd Regiment and leading them in a charge on the Confederate rifle pits. His men suffered heavy losses but managed to temporarily take the
position. Colonel Orlando Poe reported that Major Byington “lost his leg and was mortally wounded through the hips.” He died on December 11, 1863.
CONDITION: Fine with distinct etching and bright blade with minor patination, light aged patina and minor dings on the grip, aged patina on the hilt and scabbard
fittings, bright polished scabbard body, and general minor age and storage related wear.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000