3088 HIGH GRADE CIVIL WAR PRESENTATION SWORD BY RUDDICK

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This item SOLD at 2023 May 14 @ 11:27UTC-4 : AST/EDT
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 3,500.00 USD
Estimated at 7,000.00 - 9,000.00 USD

OF BOSTON PRESENTED TO COLONEL SISSON OF THE 5TH RHODE ISLAND. Overall length: 39”. Blade length: 30 3/4". Blade has a single central narrow fuller running nearly the length of the blade. Blade is etched over 2/3 of its length with various military, patriotic & foliate motifs, including a 3” etching of an ark angel & another 3” etching of an early soldier loading a musket. Further motifs include an American eagle, spray of classical arms & a side wheeler riverboat navigating a river. There is an etched panel on the ricasso that reads “H. RUDDICK BOSTON”. Hamilton Ruddick is listed in the 1860 city directory as a sewing machine maker, but he was producing swords as early as 1862 & continued through the end of the Civil War. Heavily gilded brass hilt featuring a large downturned guard on the front with a motif that includes cannons, flags, a central Federal shield, & a star surrounded by glory. The smaller rear guard is engraved “Col. H.T. Sisson 5th R.I. Vols. From friends of Mass 44th in token of their respect and gratitude Aug. 1863.”. Henry Tillinghast Sisson was commissioned in 1861 as a Lieutenant in the 1st Rhode Island and served at Bull Run. In April of ’62 he was promoted to Major of the 3rd Rhode Island Heavy Artillery, and in November of that year he became Colonel of the 5th Rhode Island Infantry that later became the 5th Rhode Island Heavy Artillery. He served with distinction throughout the war and served his native state as Lieutenant Governor from 1875 to 1877. Interestingly, Colonel Sisson is credited with inventing the 3-ring binder that is so indispensable in business, government & academics today. The cruciform cross guard of the sword is embellished with flourishes & foliate motifs. The chained knuckle bow joins the impressively decorated urn pommel at the midpoint. The ornate ferrule resembles a thistle and the side straps of the 2-piece mother of pearl grips are embellished with flourishes & laurel leaves. The scabbard has a gold wash on the body with heavily gilded mounts. The top mount features the head of a Roman soldier and the central mount is adorned with the head of Liberty. The drag shows a rippled leaf motif and repeats the star & glory design. CONDITION: blade shows a pleasing light gray patina with scattered spotty staining and a small lightly pitted area near the tip. Etching remains impressive. Hilt is undamaged and retains nearly all of its original gilded finish. Scabbard mounts also retain nearly all of their original finish and the scabbard body shows some superficial wear. (02-19578/BF). $7,000-9,000.