3177 CASED HIGH GRADE PRESENTATION M1850 STAFF & FIELD

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This item SOLD at 2023 Nov 05 @ 13:41UTC-4 : AST/EDT
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 3,000.00 USD
Estimated at 6,000.00 - 8,000.00 USD
OFFICER'S SWORD BY CLAUBERG TO 1st LT. FRANK F. NOXON OF THE 3rd US ARTILLERY. An impressive sword grouping to an officer of the 3rd US Artillery that includes the presentation sword, doeskin protective sheath, dress sword belt, maroon sash, and a large original wooden case. The walnut case measures 40" x 7 1/4" x 5" and is lined with green velvet. Overall length of the sword is 38 1/2" with a blade length of 31 1/4". The blade has a single large fuller and has a foliate engraved area extending 4" up from the ricasso on each side and a 9" engraved panel depicting a spread wing American eagle on one side and a large "US" with foliate decoration on the other side. The ricasso is deeply marked "W CLAUBERG (knight) SOLINGEN". Heavily gilded hilt with a beautifully articulated eagle head quillon featuring ruby eyes. A heavily pierced semi-basket guard shows foliate decoration with a large central "US". The linearly decorated knuckle bow shows more foliate decoration as it joins the pommel. The pommel has oak leaf decoration as normally seen, along with further embellishments on the face of the pommel. Gilded wire wrapped, beautifully decorated silver grip. The hilt is equipped with a high-grade gilded sword knot tied to the knuckle bow. The scabbard has an attractively plated body with gilded, foliate decorated mounts. The first suspension mount is engraved "1st Lt. F. F. Noxon from the Members of Co. A 3d U.S. Art. October 29th. 1864." The second suspension mount is engraved "For Esteem for him as a brave & efficient officer having served 3 1/2 years in the U.S. Army." 1st Lt. Frank Noxon saw initial service in the Civil War as a Private in the 20th Illinois Infantry. On May 27th of 1863 he accepted a commission in the 2nd US Heavy Artillery of the USCT that became the 3rd US Heavy Artillery on March 11th of 1864. The 2nd was organized from the 1st Tennessee Heavy Artillery (African descent). The 2nd as well as the subsequent 3rd US Heavy Artillery USCT was attached to the District of Memphis, Department of Tennessee and served in Tennessee throughout the war. Service included garrisoning Fort Pickering and the Defenses of Memphis. This outstanding group also includes a doeskin sheath to help store the sword safely, a black leather sword belt with red stitching and a M1851 sword belt plate & keeper. Both sword straps are present. Lastly, this group includes a fine maroon officer's sash with large tassels at each end. CONDITION: the case shows general handling wear with expected wear to the velvet lining. The sword blade exhibits original factory polish, and the hilt shows light wear with nearly all of the original gilded surfaces. The silver grip shows only light tarnish that serves to accentuate the patterns on this beautiful silver grip. The knot shows nearly no wear, and the scabbard has minor loss of finish to the mounts. The doeskin sheath has some open seams and a few minor losses. The belt shows light overall wear, and the buckle still has a majority of its gilded finish remaining. The sash shows very light wear overall with no losses or insect damage. PROVENANCE: From the Lifelong Collection of Glen E. Mattox. (02-18393/BF). $6,000-8,000.