4227A TRULY SUPURB SOUTH CAROLINA MILITIA OFFICER'S

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[?]Live Online Auction Starts In 2025 May 11 @ 10:00 (UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT)
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 1,750.00 USD
Estimated at 3,500.00 - 5,000.00 USD
SWORD. Overall length: 37 5/8". Blade length: 30 7/8". This South Carolina militia sword is the finest example we have ever seen. The decorated blade has a single medium fuller extending 16" up from the hilt. It has vivid gold highlighted engraving that includes sprays of arms and foliate motifs, all on a radiant blued field. The ricasso is stamped with a king's head, indicating European manufacture of the blade. Heavy gilded brass hilt with a turned-down guard that features a central motif of palmetto tree with the date "1776" beneath which is the South Carolina state seal. The edges of the guard are attractively scroll decorated. The turned-down quillon terminates in an eagle's head. The entire knuckle bow is scroll decorated and leads into a pommel depicting an armored torso topped by a head wearing a Phrygian cap. Mother-of-pearl grips with the back grip engraved "Fred E. Ranger.". The gilded brass scabbard has foliate decoration over most of the face. The rear of the scabbard is stamped near the throat "425", which is the Horstmann contract number, and "HORSTMANN" in a sunken cartouche.

Information provided in the documents accompanying this fine sword indicates Research finds that the sword Ranger captured likely belonged to South Carolina Captain Andrew H Ramsey of the 1st South Carolina Infantry. Ramsey is seen wearing an identical sword in a published images and he was present as an officer at Gaines Mill, 2nd Manassas, Antietam and Fredericksburg. From the near pristine condition of the sword, it was likely lost by Ramsay at Gaines Mill.". A copy of the carte de visite of Ramsay wearing an identical sword is also included.

UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: File including excerpts from Kevin Hoffman's book illustrating this sword (key no. 28) together with brief history on both 1st Lt. Fred E. Ranger and Capt. Andrew H. Ramsay; a copy of the list of survivors of the 22nd Regt. CONDITION: blade shows substantial original factory polish with several very tiny nicks to the edge of the blade. The hilt retains nearly all of its original gilded finish. The grips are totally undamaged. Scabbard shows light overall wear only with no damage. Truly a beautiful Southern militia sword. (02-24312/KAT). $3,500-5,000.