2020 September Premier, Volume I

LOT 138
Historic U.S. Officer’s Presentation Sword Inscribed to Captain
Henry E. Fales with Extraordinary High Relief Cast “Indian
Princess” Style Handle and Gilt Scabbard - The sword is patterned
after the U.S. Model 1850 Foot Officer’s sword, though it is far more
embellished than standard issue. The slightly curved, W. Clauberg
made blade is approximately 31 1/2 inches long with 9 inch long
etched sections near the center of the blade on each side, “US”
and vines on the left and an eagle and “E PLURIBUS UNUM” banner
surrounded by vines on the other. The gilded hilt is magnificent, with
a sunburst style openwork guard, spiral D-guard with torch motifs, a
high relief eagle sits perched atop the pommel, and the grip features
a high relief Native American woman wearing a feathered headdress
and skirt. The gilded scabbard has three high relief mountings,
the top a panoply of arms, the middle a wreathed torch and scroll,
and the bottom floral scrolls with a Medusa bust near the drag.
Between the upper two mounting is the inscription “Presented to/
Capt. Henry E. Fales/BY THE/Mayhew Guards Co. F. 10th Regt M.V.M./
AND Friends of the Co. May 28th 1873”. Henry Fales received his
commission as a captain on 2 December 1873 as the commanding
officer of Company F “The Mayhew Guards” of the 10th Regiment
Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. The regiment and company were
likely a continuation of the unit raised during the Civil War and
participated in the battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg,
and The Wilderness. The regiment likely continuing in service to the
commonwealth of Massachusetts after the war as a state militia when
Captain Fales joined.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, the excellent blade is mostly bright
with most of the slightly thinned gilding remaining in the etched
panels. The hilt retains almost all of the original gilding on the
guard and pommel with some mild wear on the grip exposing the
attractive antique brass beneath. The scabbard retains most of
the original gilding with some areas having thinned to expose a
smooth grey patina beneath or an antique brass on the mountings.
A magnificently embellished presentation sword such as this in such
exceptional condition would be a welcome addition to any U.S.
military collection!
Estimate: 8000 - 12000
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