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Minty CW Officer Sword, Gold Washed Blade, Massachusetts Seal, Boston City Guard Motto
Guns International #: 102575444 Seller's Inventory #:
Category: Collectibles - Civil War - Edged Weapons Pre 1900
Seller's Information
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Seller: Bobinwmass
Member Since: 2/19/23
State: Massachusetts
Country: United States
Number of Active Listings: 22
Total Number of Listings: 57
Seller: Private Seller
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Shipping to the lower 48 contiguous states. Shipping price for specific item included in item description. Three day inspection and return policy on all items.
Payment Types Accepted: Check or Money Order, Paypal (plus 3% fee) for non-firearm related items, layaways considered..
About Us: Recently retired, starting to sell off my militaria collection of 30 years. New to this site, but have sold on other sites for years with 100% positive feedback under same user ID.
Description:
Offered here is a beautiful one-of-a-kind non-regulation officer’s sword which I believe was made for an officer in the Boston City Guards. When viewed with the blade still in the scabbard, the sword appears to be a very clean example based upon the British Pattern 1827 Rifle Officer’s sword, typical of many imported during the 1850’s and into the Civil War for use by American militia officers. (A similar sword with the same exact hilt but different US patriotic etchings is pictured in Thillmann’s Civil War Army Swords page 412.) However, when removed from the scabbard, we see a virtually pristine blade with light gold wash and patriotic motifs, most significantly the Massachusetts State Seal, a seldom seen feature according to Thillmann. Also on the obverse side of the blade is a panoply of flags and military items, the Latin phrase “SEMPER PARATUS” (which translates to “Always Ready”), and a circle of 12 stars surrounding a larger 13th star in the middle. “Semper Paratus” was the motto of the Boston City Guard. On the reverse side of the blade is another panoply of military items, a beautiful Federal eagle holding a ribbon with “E Pluribus Unum” in its beak and clouds and rays around it, and a stylized “US”. The reverse ricasso is stamped with the Clauberg maker mark of a standing knight with “W. CLAUBERG” above, and “SOLINGEN” below. The blade is simply wonderful, complete with the original red felt washer. The large iron hilt has scrollwork shaped into the guard, complete sharkskin wrap and original wire. Everything is nice and tight. The browned scabbard with brass throat, scabbard mounts, and drag, is also in near mint condition. The inside of the scabbard still has its original wood liners that hold the blade tight, and the number “38” is stamped into the bottom of the drag. During my years of collecting, I have seen several examples of this sword with the exact hilt, scabbard, and similar gold washed blade. One had the Connecticut State seal and one the Oregon Territorial seal. I’ve been told by a well-known dealer that he has seen an example with a New York State seal, and for a while had one with a New Jersey State seal in his own collection. I have also seen at least two examples (I know they were different ones as they were listed for sale on different s at the same time) that had gold washed blades but lacked any State seal, just having a large “Semper Paratus” etched on the obverse side of the blade. Those two swords by themselves would not mean much, as “Semper Paratus” was the motto of at least several military companies across the United States. But now with the presence of this sword and the State seal tying it specifically to Massachusetts, I believe this sword was likely ordered for the captain of the Boston City Guard, and the swords with blades simply etched “Semper Paratus” were ordered for the lieutenants. Just an idea to keep in mind if you’d like to put together a collection.
The Boston City Guard was one of the city’s oldest and most prestigious military companies. For many years, it was designated as Company E of the 1st Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. Right before the Civil War, members of the company decided to break away from the Infantry Regiment, and staffed with many of the same officers, become a Rifle company, paving the way for the formation of the Fourth Battalion of Rifles. When the Civil War broke out, this battalion was the foundation for the creation of the 13th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, the Boston City Guard as Company A. The Regiment was active from July 16, 1861 until August 1, 1864, participating in many of the battles in the Virginia theater, including 2nd Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, and Cold Harbor. It lost 4 officers and 117 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded. The Boston City Guard never reformed after the Civil War.
Please take a look at all the photos as they provide the best description of condition. Shipping to the lower 48 contiguous states. Shipping cost $65 (which will include full insurance, so will cost me much more than I am charging). Three day return privilege, buyer pays return shipping.
Price: $3,000.00