3097 RARE CIVIL WAR MARYLAND PRESENTATION MEDICAL STAFF

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This item SOLD at 2022 Nov 06 @ 12:52UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 1,500.00 USD
Estimated at 3,000.00 - 5,000.00 USD

SWORD, SURGEON JOHN M. STEVENSON, 3RD MARYLAND INFANTRY, WOUNDED JULY 3 AT CULP’S HILL, BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG. 32” double edged blade etch with “UNITED STATES MEDICAL STAFF”, eagle & panoply of arms. Solid cast cruciform guard has languet with script relief “MS” above 13 stars, high grade regulation Medical Staff sword by Clauberg with high relief scabbard mounts inscribed: “Presented to / Jno. M. Stevenson / Surgeon of 3rd Md Cavalry / By his friends Dec. 11, 1863. Identified Medical staff swords are scarce to start with, any identified Maryland sword is very scarce, so this may be the only high grade Maryland Medical sword extant. Few surgeons found themselves in harm’s way on the battlefield, but 2 officers had gunshot wounds at Culp’s Hill Gettysburg, July 3, 1863. Capt. Henry Fenton was killed, Surgeon Stevenson only had gunshot wound to forearm and survived, recuperated and resigned November 7, 1863 to join the 3rd Maryland Cavalry which he was commissioned when sword presented less than month later. He would see service till September 9, 1865 at hospitals in Mobile, New Orleans, and Vicksburg. Sword was part of the late Arthur “Gil” Barrett collection who displayed this as part of his Maryland collection for many years. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: copies of national archives records of Surgeon Stevenson’s war record. CONDITION: good overall, blade is gray with worn but discernible etching, brass hilt and scabbard have toned patina after old cleaning. (02-17013/JS). $3,000-5,000.