IMPORT MODEL 1850 CIVIL WAR FIELD & STAFF OFFICER’S SWORD ID’D TO COL. RICHARD M. CORWINE, MEMBER OF GENERAL FREMONT’S STAFF

$16,200.00
Originally $18,000.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 870-157

Original Civil War Model 1850 Field & Staff officer’s sword in nice condition complete with its metal scabbard. Sword is unmarked and is no doubt an import item. It is identified by a presentation inscription to R. M. Corwine, Aide-de-camp to General John C. Fremont.

The drawn sword meas. approx. 36.50 inches long from point to pommel. The blade measures approx. 31 3/8 inches in length and 1.00 inch wide at the ricasso. It has an unstopped wide fuller 24.00 inches long and a narrow fuller approx. 22.00 inches long. Both sides of the blade are etched. The obverse side starts at the ricasso with foliate leading to a scrolled US flag followed by a riband with “E PLURIBUS UNUM” followed by a stand of arms amongst a section of more foliate. The reverse is etched with a large block “US” and a patriotic shield set amongst a field of foliate. Blade exhibits the original bright finish with only small amounts of mottling scattered in areas. Etching is clear.  The true edge of the blade has several small nicks.

The brass hilt features a finely detailed, two-paneled guard with cutout “US” and knucklebow. Hilt wears a pleasing mellow bronze patina. Very good condition original grips are tight and consist of a grooved, wooden center-swell handle wrapped in sharkskin. Twisted brass wire is complete and bound tightly around the handle. Leather washer at base of the guard is missing. Brass pommel is decorated with ornate scrollwork of laurel leaves and features a tiered domed cap. Hilt is tight to the grips.

Blued metal scabbard is in very good condition. Bluing is worn in some areas with bright metal showing through. Brass mounts and drag are plain with the brass having a rubbed appearance. Scabbard body has one or two small dings. Both mount rings are present as is the brass throat. Drag has light wear. This sword has the appearance of having been an everyday use item.

Top mount is engraved with “THIS SWORD IS PRESENTED / TO / COL. R. M. CORWINE A.D.C. / TO / MAJOR GENL. FREMONT / AS A TESTIMONY OF REGARD / FROM A FEW OF HIS / INTIMATE FRIENDS / CINTI. SEPT. 2/61.”

Richard Mortimer Corwine was born April 12, 1812 in Mason County, Kentucky. As an adult he practiced law and became well-known. His name appears as a law partner of President Rutherford B. Hayes and he also was known to correspond with President Lincoln on several occasions.

During the Civil War he was appointed aide-de-camp to General John C. Fremont and spent most of his time as the judge advocate in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was assigned as a judge on the Military Commission set to try the famous Copperhead Clement Vallandigham but left the commission before the trial started for another assignment.

Richard Corwine died in Washington, D.C. April 29, 1876 and is buried in Spring Grove Cemetery, Cincinnati, Ohio.  [ad] [ph:L]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS.

THANK YOU!

Inquire About IMPORT MODEL 1850 CIVIL WAR FIELD & STAFF OFFICER’S SWORD ID’D TO COL. RICHARD M. CORWINE, MEMBER OF GENERAL FREMONT’S STAFF

For inquiries, please email us at [email protected]