3179 4 SWORDS OF LT, CAPT, & MAJOR A. W. CORLISS.

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This item SOLD at 2023 Nov 05 @ 13:43UTC-4 : AST/EDT
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 1,000.00 USD
Estimated at 2,000.00 - 4,000.00 USD
This is a most unusual grouping of a long time American military officer with service starting in the Civil War. Three swords are inscribed, two are Ames model 1850 foot officer swords. 1) Ames Civil War foot sword has brass mounted blued steel scabbard with three presentation panels and name finely engraved on pommel. "AW CORLISS / 15th US Inf / July 21, 1865", "33rd US Inf / Sept. 21, 1866", "8th US Inf / May 3, 1869". In addition to these finely engraved inscriptions are nicely scratched panels on other mounts including "New York Harbor / Oct 28, 1870", "Lookout Mountain, Tenn / Aug. 9, 1865", & "Yellowstone River, Montana T / Aug. 17 1872". 2) Ames Civil War 1850 foot officer's sword, standard configuration, shark skin wrap grip, 30.5" etched blade like other Ames here. Top mount is inscribed "A.W. CORLISS U.S.A. / from / O.C. Knapp [Adjutant] / April 3, 1871". The pommel cap face is finely engraved "A. W. C.". 3) fancy non-reg cavalry officer saber with name on etched blade and engraved scabbard "Major A. W. Corliss / presented by the members / of Co. C 8th Infantry". 4) the last sword is uninscribed 1865 dated Ames model 1860 US cavalry saber in 1906 scabbard still attached to sword belt with mismatched rectangular "US" sword belt plate and keeper, belt is marked "3 Cav". Augustus Whittemore Corliss (1837-1908) was an American soldier, author and historian. He published, amongst other works, Old Times in North Yarmouth, Maine across several volumes. He began writing it during his career in the military, which spanned forty years. A resident of Waltham, MA, he was appointed 2nd Lieutenant, First New England (later Rhode Island) Cavalry in December 1861 and was Adjutant. He was commissioned Major of Rhode Island Cavalry on June 24, 1862 and transferred to command the 7th Squadron. He led his squadron in the escape from Harpers Ferry and was engaged in battle of Antietam September 17, 1862. He mustered out on 2 October 1862 and was appointed Major of the 2nd Rhode Island Cavalry on December 24, 1862. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel on January 19, 1863, but resigned his commission on 11 July 1863. He enlisted March 15, 1865 in Company H, 2nd Battalion, 15th United States Infantry & was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant then 1st Lieutenant July 21, 1865. He transferred to the 33rd US Infantry on September 21, 1866 and was regimental Quartermaster from January 1867 to May 1869. He transferred to the 8th US Infantry on May 3, 1869 and was promoted to Captain on May 29, 1873. He was appointed Major of the 17th US Infantry on February 4, 1897, transferred to the 7th US Infantry 3 weeks later, and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel of the 2nd US Infantry on February 6, 1899. He was made Colonel of the regiment February 2, 1901 and retired on March 25, 1901. He was promoted, on the retired list, to Brigadier General in 1904. He published his History of the Seventh Squadron, Rhode Island Cavalry in 1879. CONDITION: both Ames foot officer swords are very good to fine, blades retaining most of their frost and luster, traces of gold plate on hilts and scabbard mounts, both scabbard bodies are very good, grips both very good and complete. Presentation cavalry officer saber is very good retaining most of blade's polish and luster, scabbard is missing middle mount, most of the gold plate on hilt and mounts is present, sharkskin grip is sound and complete, gold plated brass wire wrap is sprung and broken. The Ames cavalry saber is very good, blade markings are all discernible, the Ames mark is weak, grip is missing wire wrap but most of the original leather is present though scuffed, dry, and soiled, mottled brass patina. Sword belt is sound with both patent hangers. (02-20892/JS). $2,000-4,000.