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“Who would be free, themselves must strike the blow”
- Frederick Douglass, American Abolitionist and father of two sons in the 54th Massachusetts
The first sword is an Ames Mfg. Co. Model 1850
Foot Officer’s Sword with a 29 1/2 inch blade with patriotic and scroll etching, “Ames Mfg./Chicopee/ Mass.” etched on the right above the ricasso, gilt brass hilt with floral designs, twisted wire and shagreen wrapped grip, and a browned iron scabbard with
gilt brass fittings, including the upper suspension band which is inscribed “J.W.M. Appleton./Feb.. 7 1863.” and marked “AMES MFG. CO./CHICOPEE/MASS.” There is a portrait of him holding a sword of this pattern during the Civil War shown in the included copy of “America’s Civil War” from November 2021
in the article “True to the Cause: 54th Massachusetts Officer’s Unpublished Account Provides a New Look at the Regiment’s Heroic Assault on Fort Wagner” by Jewell and Van Sickle which focuses on Appleton’s account of the battle and his eagerness to served with a colored unit. The second sword is a stunning late 19th century Pettibone Bros. Mfg. Co. dress
sword. General Appleton is shown holding this sword in an included c. 1897 portrait from A.P. Gates of Charleston, West Virginia. The
sword has a 31 3/4 inch straight blade with gold and niter blue highlighted etching including
“GENL. J.W.M Appleton, W.VA.” on the reverse and “THE PETT BONE [sic]/BROS/MFG. Co/CINTI.O.” on
the obverse ricasso. The gilt brass hilt has floral and patriotic patterns, a silver and brass grip with martial trophy patterns, and an enameled eagle and shield pommel cap. A gilt sword knot is fitted to the guard. The scabbard is also gilt brass and features extensive floral and scroll designs on the fittings. Also included is a copy of “Lexicon Graeco-Latinum in Novum Domini Nostri Jesu Christi Tetamentum” (The New Testament) from 1654 with Appleton’s name signed inside, wine line and staff officer’s sash, set of captain’s shoulder boards labeled as from Appleton’s uniform “when he was wounded in 1861” (year an error),
several buttons (many marked “JUNE/20/1863”), a “hard nut which Appleton always had in his mouth,” Civil War brass stencil reading “John W.M. Appleton/54th Reg. Mass.
Vols.” that would have been used to mark Appleton’s personal belongings during the war, and file of documents of relating to Appleton and the 54th Massachusetts, including National Archives records.
CONDITION: The Model 1850 Foot Officer’s
sword is fine and has smooth gray patina on
the blade, faded but visible etching, some nicks along the edges of the blade, aged patina on the
hilt, minor separation on the seam of the grip, and mild age and storage related wear. The dress sword
is very fine and has minor age and storage related wear including some fading of the gilt finish on the hilt and attractive natural aged patinas on the brass and silver. The blade remains bright and retains the vast majority of its original gilt and niter blue finish and has some minimal staining. The folding languet will not lock in place as it comes into contact with the crossguard before locking. The sword knot has mild wear. The other accessories are generally very fine with fairly minor age and storage related wear. This
is an incredible set from an officer of one of the most famous Union regiments of the Civil War, a leader
of the men that showed the nation the tenacity of African-American soldiers and helped secure freedom for millions of their fellow Americans.
Estimate: 30,000 - 50,000
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