3185 PRESENTATION GRADE CAVALRY OFFICER’S SWORD GIVEN

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 1,200.00 USD
Estimated at 2,400.00 - 3,200.00 USD
TO COLONEL NELSON VIALL OF THE 4th RHODE ISLAND. Overall length: 43”. Blade length: 33 3/4". Blade has a single large fuller with a secondary fuller near the spine. The blade is etched over the first 19” with various foliate and patriotic motifs, including a spray of arms, a Union officer peering through a spyglass, a large “US”, and an American eagle sitting atop a shield bearing the words “MILLER & CO NEW YORK”. The ricasso is stamped “COLLINS & CO. HARTFORD CONN 1862." Gilded brass hilt with a highly embellished guard, including the two branches. The knuckle bow is relatively plain and joins a well-decorated pommel featuring acanthus leaves, a flower, and a federal shield surrounded by 17 stars. The top of the pommel cap is also embellished with floral and foliate motifs. The grip is gilded brass in a fish scale design with gold wire wrap. The silver-plated scabbard has very elaborate pierced gilded brass mounts of a scroll and foliate motif. The top mount bears a 2” oval panel that reads “COL. NELSON VIALL. From Officers of the 4th. R. I. M. ” Colonel Viall was a veteran of the Mexican War and enlisted in 1861 as First Lieutenant of the 1st Rhode Island, a 30-day unit commanded by General Burnside. After his enlistment, Viall received a commission as Captain of Company D in the 2nd Rhode Island Infantry. After 1st Manassas, he was quickly promoted to Major, then Lieutenant Colonel. He received a battlefield promotion to full Colonel after the Battle of Fredericksburg. After resigning his commission in early 1863, he was commissioned as Lieutenant Colonel of the 14th Rhode Island Colored Heavy Artillery. He served out the war with this unit on garrison duty around New Orleans. After the war, he was brevetted to Brigadier General for faithful service during the war. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: a looseleaf binder detailing the actions of General Viall and the 4th Rhode Island Infantry. CONDITION: blade has a cleaned, light gray patina with some evidence of cleaned pitting. The etching remains quite clear. The hilt retains only traces of original gilding but shows light overall wear. Grip is undamaged. Scabbard plating is virtually completely intact, and the mounts retain substantial gilding. (02-21098/BF). $2,400-3,200.