3184 US M1850 STAFF & FIELD OFFICER’S SWORD BELONGING

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 2,000.00 USD
Estimated at 4,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
TO MAJOR GENERAL JAMES C. LANE WITH A FABULOUS COMMEMORATIVE SOLID GOLD CORPS BADGE & RELATED ITEMS. Overall length: 39 1/4". Blade length: 32 1/4". A fine staff & field officer’s sword belonging to General Lane with a blade that has a single large fuller plus a secondary fuller near the spine. Blade is etched over the first 17 1/2" with various foliate and patriotic motifs, including a spray of arms and a lg. “U.S.”. Blade has an etched mark near the ricasso that reads “Ames Mfg Co Chicopee Mass”. Gilded brass hilt with a pierced semi-basket guard having foliate decoration and a lg. “US”. Pommel has acanthus leaves and a flower around the edges, plus a slightly stepped pommel. Wire-wrapped sharkskin grip. Gilded brass mounted, blued scabbard. The top mount is stamped “AMES MFG CO. CHICOPEE MASS”. This splendid group includes an extraordinary commemorative Corps Badge in solid gold. The face of the badge has a central photograph of General Lane surrounded by a gold pentagon encrusted with diamonds, rubies, sapphires and opals. This pentagon is mounted in the center of a large, heavy, solid gold star that is also encrusted with rubies, sapphires and opals. The interior edge of the star, as well as the outer side edges of the star, are engraved with battles that General Lane fought in. The rear of the star is engraved “PRESENTED TO Colonel James C. Lane. By the Officers of the 102nd Regt N.Y.V. HE WAS OUR LEADER in the Battles inscribed on this medal GOD BLESS HIM”. The medal is suspended by a 4-strand gold chain from an oval pin bearing the number “102”, his regiment. This extraordinary lot further includes a hand-colored half plate image on white glass of Lane as a Colonel, a gold-plated watch chain with a compass suspended from the catch, an engineer’s compass marked “US ENGINEER CORPS” used by Lane later in his career, an 18-karat gold opal ring, two 18-karat gold wedding rings belonging to Lane, and one sm. enameled GAR pendant. Lastly, the group includes a letter written home by Lane during the war, a newspaper clipping, and a post-war business card belonging to Lane. Major General James C. Lane began his military career in March of 1862 as a Major in the 102nd New York Infantry. He was quickly promoted to Lieutenant Colonel before the Maryland Campaign, and to full Colonel in December of 1862. Lane and his regiment bravely fought at the Battle of Gettysburg, where he was wounded at Culp’s Hill on the second day of the battle. General Lane fought in many of the war’s major battles before and after he was wounded at Gettysburg. He resigned from the service on 12 July 1864 due to illness. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: a large file folder of paperwork pertaining to General James Lane’s Civil War service and the service of the 102nd New York Infantry. CONDITION: sword has a medium gray, mottled patina having scattered areas of light staining. The hilt shows traces of original gilded finish mixed with a pleasing mustard patina. Grip shows only light wear plus a minor separation at the seam. Scabbard has a few scattered shallow dents. The mounts show only traces of original gilded finish. Throat is missing. The body of the scabbard shows some oxidation to the blued finish. The corps badge is in absolutely superb condition, with all engravings clear and all precious stones present. The image on glass remains clear and colors are vivid. Both compasses function well. Rings are undamaged. Ephemera is yellowed but not damaged. (02-21234/BF). $4,000-6,000.