4277 US M1850 FOOT OFFICER’S SWORD PRESENTED TO LT.

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 3,250.00 USD
Estimated at 6,500.00 - 8,000.00 USD
EDWIN B. BARTLETT, WHO WAS KILLED IN ACTION AT SPOTSYLVANIA ON MAY 18, 1864, WITH ASSOCIATED ARCHIVE. This extremely historic and well-fought officer’s sword was carried by Lt. Edwin Bartlett of the 10th Massachusetts Infantry from late October in 1862 until he was killed at Spotsylvania in the spring of 1864. The sword is accompanied by several photographs of Bartlett, along with documents associated with his service and his obituary, believed to be written by his sister. The sword has an overall length of 37" with a blade length of 30 1/2". The blade has a single wide fuller with a secondary fuller near the spine. The blade is etched over the first 18" with various foliate, military, and patriotic motifs, including a large "U.S." and a spread-wing American eagle. There is an etched mark near the ricasso that reads "Ames Mfg Co Chicopee Mass". Gilded brass hilt with pierced foliate-decorated guard, four-lobed knuckle bow, and acanthus leaf and flower-decorated pommel with a stepped cap. Wire-wrapped sharkskin grip. Scabbard is gilded brass-mounted leather with a brass eagle in shield mounted between the top two mounts. The top mount is engraved "Presented to Lieut. E.B. Bartlett 10th Mass. Vols. by His Springfield friends. Oct. 29. 1862". Images in this historic group include a ¼ plate image of a seated Edwin Bartlett with his friend Edwin Whitney. Bartlett is in a frock coat with light blue-tinted trousers and his kepi on his lap. Whitney is in an officer’s 4-button sack coat with light blue-tinted trousers and a slouch hat with a corps badge on the side. A second hard image is a 1/6 plate showing Bartlett seated wearing a frock coat and uniform vest with a kepi on his lap. There are two CDVs of Bartlett; one shows him standing in a 9-button frock with a belt, sash, and the above sword at his side; the other image shows Bartlett seated in a frock coat with dress trousers and his kepi sitting on a table. Other CDV images include a seated Private Davis Hart wearing an ID disc and kepi on a table. Hart was also killed at Spotsylvania in May of 1864. A seated view of Capt. George W. Bigelow, who was wounded at Spotsylvania. A standing view of Andrew Huntington in a 9-button frock. A mid-chest-up view of C.H. Brewster, Adjutant of the 10th Massachusetts. A bust view of Capt. Homer Gilmore, who was also wounded at Spotsylvania. Other notable items in this archive are the letter presenting him with his sword signed by his "Springfield friends", orders written to Bartlett, an oval albumen photo of Hosea C. Lombard of the 10th Massachusetts, Bartlett’s enlistment document as a Seargent Major, Bartlett’s handwritten obituary, and a leave of absence granted to Bartlett in January of 1864. Several reunion ribbons for the 10th Massachusetts are included with this lot. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: there are three large binders containing a wealth of information about Bartlett, as well as the brave soldiers that served with him, many of whom were killed alongside Bartlett at Spotsylvania. The binders also include a detailed history of the 10th Massachusetts, their leaders, and their battles. Much of the information pertains to the Battle of Spotsylvania, where so many of the brave 10th fell. Untold hours of research went into assembling this extraordinary plethora of information. There is also an envelope containing copies of Bartlett’s service record throughout the war. Also included is a book titled "The 10th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers" published in 1909 at Springfield, MA. A book titled "When This Cruel War is Over: The Civil War Letters of Charles Harvey Brewster" by David Blight is also included. A custom-made wooden display case for the sword and likely the images. CONDITION: blade has a medium gray patina with very minor staining. The hilt shows traces of the original gilded finish. The grip is quite worn and dry, with a separation at the seam. The wire is complete but dislodged in places. The scabbard shows flexing and flaking to the leather body and is broken and detached at the drag, though all pieces are present. The drag shows several dents. The inscription remains quite clear and easily read. Hard images remain quite clear but have some craquelure apparent. CDVs show some slight staining but are generally undamaged. Documents show fading but remain legible. Ribbons are quite solid. The 10th Massachusetts was a very hard-fought regiment, and this sword shows the rigors of two years of difficult campaigns in indescribable conditions. Edwin Bartlett was there for every battle, every march, and every camp until he fell at Spotsylvania in 1864. (02-21307/BF). $6,500-8,000.