Rare and Lavishly Mounted Civil War Presentation Sword & Colt Revolver Belonging to Colonel George A. Buckingham, Bull Run Veteran and Commander of the 53rd New York Volunteers

George Andrew Buckingham (1817-1882) was an experienced New York militia officer and veteran of the Civil War’s first great battle. Before the onset of hostilities he served as quartermaster of the celebrated 71st New York State Militia, the “American Guard,” and was elected major of the regiment in January 1861. Following the attack on Fort Sumter, Buckingham marched south with the 71st and served through its three-month Federal enlistment, culminating at the First Battle of Bull Run on July 21, 1861. There, as one of the regiment’s senior field officers, he shared in the hard fighting and difficult retreat for which the 71st was specifically commended by Brigadier General Ambrose Burnside for its “bravery and steadiness.”

Returning to New York after Bull Run, Buckingham undertook the organization of a new volunteer regiment known as the Vosburgh Chasseurs, named in honor of his former commander, Colonel Abraham S. Vosburgh. The command was formally designated the second organization of the 53rd New York Volunteers, and Buckingham was widely recognized and addressed as its colonel. Although wartime recruiting difficulties prevented the regiment from reaching full strength, its enlisted companies were ultimately transferred into the 132nd and 162nd New York Infantry. Buckingham later received authority to raise the 183rd New York Infantry in 1864, continuing his efforts on behalf of the Union cause.

The lot includes:

1. Model 1850 Staff and Field Officer’s Sword Presented to Colonel Buckingham by Officer’s Under His Command

Collins & Co., Hartford, Connecticut, dated 1861. The slightly curved, single-edged steel blade with broad central fuller and etched decoration incorporating scrolling foliage, martial trophies, and patriotic devices; the obverse ricasso stamped “G. COLLINS & CO. / HARTFORD / CONN.”, the reverse dated “1861.” The gilt-brass hilt with pierced half-basket guard worked in foliate scrolls enclosing the letters “US,” terminating in a boldly modeled eagle-head quillon; the chased pewter grip is bound with twisted gilt-brass wire and surmounted by a detailed Phrygian helmet pommel cap. An eagle head quillon with paste ruby eyes surmounts the guard.

The acid browned steel scabbard is fitted with exceptionally elaborate gilt-brass mounts, deeply cast, chased, and pierced with patriotic and martial ornament. The upper mount is dominated by a spread-winged American eagle bearing the national shield beneath a constellation of stars and the banner “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” framed by clouds, rays, and luxuriant foliate borders. The middle mount is similarly enriched, while the drag is ornamented with martial trophies and bold geometric and vegetal devices. The suspension rings are pear shaped twisted gilt brass and silver in the form of ropes. The obverse mount is inscribed with a presentation that reads: "Presented to / Col./ G.A. Buckingham / by the / Officers of the / Vosburgh Chasseurs/53rd Regt.N.S.V."

2. Model 1851 Colt Navy Revolver Inscribed to Colonel Buckingham

.36 caliber. 7.5" octagonal barrel. SN: 126869 (mfg. ca. 1862). Blued and color casehardened finish, brass triggergaurd and backstrap, varnished one-piece walnut grip. Single action percussion revolver with unfluted six-chambered cylinder, hammer nose notch rear sight, brass cone front sight and toggle link rammer. All visible numbers match, including the wedge. Barrel with the one line "NEW YORK U.S. AMERICA" Colt address. The number "2" is found under all the serial numbers, suggesting this revolver was one of a pair. Backstrap engraved in a lovely period script "Col. Geo. A. Buckingham."

Note: This lot cannot be packaged and shipped in-house. Successful bidders winning items marked as being packaged and shipped by a third-party service are responsible for paying the third party directly. We are happy to offer complimentary drop-off service to local third-party packing/shipping companies in Columbus, Ohio.

[Civil War, Union, Confederate] [Relics, Militaria] [Swords, Knives, Bowie Knives, Knife, Blades] [Civil War, Union, Confederate, Firearm, Colt, Pistol, Revolver, Rifle, Musket, Smith and Wesson, Springfield]

Both items about Fine. Sword with strong etching and some traces of polish and frosting on the blade with some scattered freckles of oxidized discoloration. Hilt with most of the gilt intact with most of the loss due to high edge wear. Grip with a dark pewter gray patina with some gilt worn from the wire. Scabbard with some moderate thinning and loss to the browned finish and the gilt. The drag is missing the retention screw on the reverse. Revolver about Fine as well, with a party bright and lightly pitted bore. Barrel with some much of the thinning blue intact, showing fading, dulling and wear. Frame and cylinder with a lightly enhanced chemical patina. Marking clear and crisp with most of the cylinder scene visible. Mechanically functional action. Grip with much of the varnish intact, showing some high edge wear and loss and some scattered marks and mars, primarily around the sharp edges.