Rare Civil War ID’ Cavalry Sword Of Sergeant Henry Spaulding 8th Indiana Cavalry
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:16349660 | Featured Refinements: Civil War Sword |
Up for auction is an Authentic Regulation US Model 1860 Emerson & Silver Union Cavalry Sword and Scabbard that was issued to Sergeant Henry H. Spaulding of the 8th Indiana Cavalry during the American Civil War! This standard issue saber and scabbard are complete and in Great Condition with a war date of 1863. It was made by the American maker, Emerson & Silver of Trenton New Jersey and would look Great in any collection. Emerson & Silver were in business in 1860 and ow...ned the Keystone Edged Tool Works factory in Philadelphia Pa. and the Malleable Iron Works factory in Trenton New Jersey. They produced plows, axes, edged tools, knives, spades etc.They had U.S. Government contracts during the Civil War to make Bayonets, Musician Swords, NCO Swords, Artillery Sabers, and Cavalry Swords. They also produced Officer Swords as well as Presentation Swords. All of their swords were made at the Trenton New Jersey factory. They had a contract for and delivered to the Federal Government 27, 060 of the model 1860 Cavalry swords between 1862 and 1865 and this sword is from that delivery. ID’d Cavalry Swords from the Civil War are pretty rare but one that is ID’d to a Sergeant is especially Rare and especially with such a Great war record! You will not have another chance to own one for along, long time. I purchased this sword at a local family auction here in central Indiana this summer. It is marked in period script on the underneath side of the hilt with "H.H.S. Sergt." After doing weeks of research I found only one Indiana cavalryman that this sword could belong to and it was Sergeant Henry H. Spaulding of the 8th Indiana Cavalry. Henry Spaulding was born around 1841 in Indiana and enlisted in the fall of 1861 in Indianapolis around 20 years of age to fight in the American Civil War. He joined the 39th Indiana Infantry but in April of 1863 the 39th Indiana Infantry was given horses and served as mounted infantry until October 15th when their designation officially changed from the 39th Indiana Infantry to the 8th Indiana Cavalry. This sword was manufactured in 1863 and would have been brand new and issued to cavalry troops in the field. The 39th Indiana and the 8th Indiana Cavalry have Great War records! Some of the action the 39th saw was in the battle of Shiloh Tennessee and the battle of Corinth Mississippi as well as the battle of Stones River Tennessee and other battles and skirmishes. After they were given horses and designated as the 8th Indiana Cavalry some of the battles they fought in are listed below but is only a partial list: *Battle of Chickamauga Georgia September 19-20 1863*Siege of Atlanta Georgia July 22-August 25 1864*Battle of Jonesboro Georgia August 31-September 1 1864*Operations against Confederate General John Bell Hood in North Georgia and North Alabama September 29-November 3 1864*March to the sea November 15-December 10 1864*Siege of Savannah Georgia December 10-21 1864*Taylor's Hole Creek North Carolina March 16, 1865*Battle of Bentonville North Carolina March 19-21 1865*Occupation of Goldsboro North Carolina March 24 1865*Surrender of Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston and his army Greensboro North Carolina April 26, 1865*Duty in the Dept. of North Carolina till July 1865. *Mustered out of service July 20, 1865. The Regiment lost during service 9 Officers and 138 Enlistedmen killed and mortally wounded and 1 Officer and 250 Enlisted men by disease. A Total 398.Records show that Sergeant Henry Spaulding was sent to the Hospital March 16th 1865 after the battle of Taylors Hole Creek. The guard, grip, and blade on this sword are all tight to each other and have no play to them at all. The brass has a beautiful patina to it and displays great. The three branch guard has a nice form. The pommel cap has the inspection stamp of D.F.M., which was the stamp of approval from the Government Armory inspector Dexter F. Mossman who inspected from 1862–1864 and approved this sword for military service. The grip is great and has original full leather and twisted brass wire. As mentioned above it is marked with the owners initials and rank underneath the brass guard of "H.H.S. Sergt." As you can see it is done in period script and the patina is down inside of the marking showing it has been there forever. Just beautiful!The blade is in Nice condition and is stamped with the makers mark on the ricasso of "Emerson & Silver Trenton N.J." and on the other side it is stamped with"---U.S.---D.F.M.---1863". The inspector’s stamp of D.F.M. matches the one on the pommel cap and again was the stamp of approval from the government inspector showing the acceptance of this sword for service. The cutting edge does not show any signs of being sharpened which is correct for this sword. The blade shows no rust or pitting at all and still retains it’s original leather washer. The blade displays Great and could not be nicer! The original steel scabbard is whole and complete and still retains both rings as well as the throat piece. It has a nice patina to it and displays little areas where it had been painted with gold paint at one time. As you probably know the gold paint was used by veterans after the war to dress up their swords when worn in parades and reunions etc.It was also used by the Civil War Union veterans organization the G.A.R.(Grande Army of the Republic) when it displayed donated war relics and weapons used by the veterans in the local G.A.R. Halls. It has great wear patterns to the upper carrying ring eyelet and the drag as you can see in the pics showing extensive use in the field. This only happens over time and shows this sword and scabbard saw a lot of service during the war. No big dents on this scabbard but just normal handling marks you expect from a sword from the war. The Sword and Scabbard display Great! This is a wonderful example of an Identified Regulation Cavalry Sergeants Sword and Scabbard from the American Civil War! I have tried to describe it as completely as I can. I guarantee satisfaction and offer an inspection period. If you want to return it, notify me after you receive it and all I ask is that it is in the same condition as sent and you pay the shipping.No handling fees or eBay fees. Winning bidder pays shipping and Insurance. The sword will be shipped with a signature required on your end so that UPS does not leave this historic sword sitting on your doorstep for anyone to take. Payment must clear before shipment. Feel free to email me with any questions you might have on this sword and scabbard. How often do you get the chance to own a historical, antique, cutlass that was used in the War Between the States?Authentic American made Yankee and Confederate sabers are going up in value and can make a good investment as well as a wonderful piece of history for your collection. Thanks and good luck.Note: Some states are now requiring eBay to start collecting sales tax. You can check on eBay to see if your state is one of them. This would be added to whatever the winning bid is and does not come to me but is remitted by eBay to your state.
