3189 US M1850 STAFF & FIELD OFFICER’S SWORD BELONGING

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 750.00 USD
Estimated at 1,500.00 - 2,000.00 USD
TO CAPTAIN JOHN C. COVER. Overall length: 39”. Blade length: 32 1/4". Blade has a single wide fuller w/ a secondary fuller near the spine. The blade is etched over the first 17” w/ various foliate & patriotic motifs, including a spray of arms & “US”. The ricasso is stamped “Made by AMES MFG CO CHICOPEE MASS” on one side & “US GGS. 1861” on the other. Gilded brass hilt w/ downturned pendulous quillon. The pierced semi-basket guard features scrolls & foliate motifs, along w/ a lg. “US”. The pommel has leaf & flower decoration plus a few steps at the very top. Wire-wrapped sharkskin grip. Gilded brass mounted, browned scabbard. It appears that Captain Cover was originally in the 25th Wisconsin & saw service quelling the Sioux uprising in Minnesota. He saw subsequent service as Captain of the 50th Wisconsin at Fort Leavenworth, KS. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: an oval photograph of Captain Cover holding this exact sword w/ his belt & sash on a table. Cover’s discharge from the 50th Wisconsin at Fort Leavenworth, KS in June of 1866. An original muster role of the 50th Wisconsin. Copies of Captain Cover’s military history, pension reports & information on the 50th Wisconsin. CONDITION: blade has a light gray patina w/ scattered staining, but no pitting. Hilt retains nearly all of its original gilded finish. Grip is undamaged & complete, but shows a shrinkage separation at the seam of the sharkskin. Scabbard mounts have most of their original gilding intact. The scabbard body’s finish is nearly 100%. (02-21235/BF). $1,500-2,000.