4274 SOLID GOLD MEDAL & SABER BELONGING TO BREVET MAJOR

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 3,500.00 USD
Estimated at 7,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
HENRY L. CRANFORD . Major Cranford entered the service in April of 1861 as a 1st Lieutenant in the 14th New York State Militia (Eighty-Fourth New York Volunteers). After various assignments to several commanders, he was appointed by the President as Captain and Commissary of Subsistence. He served in this capacity until the end of the war, and in July of 1865, he resigned his commission and returned to Brooklyn, NY. The gold medal measures approx. 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" with a 1/2" loop at the top. It is in the form of a Maltese cross and reads, on the front, "24th N.Y.V. 14th N.Y.S.M. 22d N.Y.V. 30th N.Y.V. Capt, H.L. Cranford C. S. & A.A.A.G. Sans Peur et Sans Reproche from the Brigade Com’dr & Staff June 1, 1863." The reverse reads "Iron Brigade" in the center along with the following battles: Bull Run, Falmouth, Rappahannock Station, Antietam, Fredericksburgh, Chancellorsville, Groveton, South Mountain, Manassas Plains, Sulphur Springs, Gainesville, and Deep Creek. The sword measures 38 3/4" overall with a 32 7/8" blade. This sword is of a distinctly earlier style that would have been carried in the late federal period. It is quite likely a family sword that was carried by Cranford’s father or grandfather. The blade has a single, wide fuller with gold-highlighted etching on a blued field. The etching includes foliate motifs with two large sprays of arms, a spread-wing American eagle, an Indian Princess head, and a charging dragoon. Iron two-branch hilt. Wire-wrapped wood grip that was once leather-covered. Iron scabbard. This fine lot also includes a CDV of Cranford and a large book titled "OFFICERS OF THE ARMY AND NAVY (VOLUNTEER) WHO SERVED IN THE CIVIL WAR." Brevet Major Cranford has a one-page write-up and photograph on page 295. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: photocopies of information relating to Henry Cranford, his units, and the battles he participated in. CONDITION: the medal is in superb condition, showing virtually no wear. The sword has a medium gray patina with nearly all the highlighted etching and blued field remaining. Sadly, the sword blade has several nicks to the edge. The hilt has a dark patina. The grip is better than 95% complete but has no leather. Scabbard has a medium gray patina with a couple of very shallow, minor dents. The CDV has yellowed, but the image is clear. The book shows expected scuffs and scrapes but no serious damage. (02-22889/BF). $7,000-10,000.