Provenance: Frederick "Frank" Logan Collection

A pair of fine swords presented to Joseph B. Merritt, Captain of Company A, 1st Maryland Cavalry, and Charles H. Bankard, 1st Lieutenant of Company F of the same regiment. Remarkably, Bankard was one of the men presenting the first sword to Merritt from his time with Company A. The swords are as follows: 

1. M1860 cavalry saber with brown shagreen grip, complete in brass scabbard. Baltimore, Maryland: Canfield Brother & Co., 1861. Overall approx. 42 1/2 in., blade 35 in. long.

The scabbard is inscribed between its topmount and center mount: "Presented to / Capt. Joseph B. Merritt / by the Non Commissioned Officers and / Privates of Co. A, 1st Md Cavalry. / Chas H. Bankard / John Bond / John Shaney / Wm. Hays / John Scherer / John H. Dittman / Martin McVoy," and, between the center mount and drag, with the following battle honors to an engraved ribband: "Winchester / Cedar Mountain / Rappahannock / Catlett's Station / Bristow Station / Thoroughfare Gap / Bull Run / Manasses [sic] / Chantilly / Front Royal / 1862". In addition to the standard array of patriotic and botanical symbols and the "Canfield / Brother / & Co / Baltimore Md." mark, the blade has been acid-etched with cavalry-specific scenes of soldiers on horseback; the ricasso is stamped "1861" within a rhombus.

Joseph B. Merritt (alt. Merrett, b. 1827) enlisted to fight in the Mexican War at the age of 19. At the outbreak of war, his valuable experience led to his election as Captain of Company A of the 1st Maryland Cavalry on 15 August 1861. 

The 1st Maryland Cavalry were assigned to the rugged eastern Virginia countryside, often in pursuit of Stonewall Jackson in the Shenandoah Valley. They fought at the First Battle of Winchester and participated in several battles in Pope's Campaign in the late summer and fall of 1862, including the Battle of Cedar Creek, Groveton (Brawner's Farm), Second Bull Run (Manassas), Chantilly, and Harper's Ferry. They were present at Fredericksburg but were not engaged. In early 1863, Merritt resigned his commission. 

This elegant sword was presented by the non-commissioned officers and privates of Company A, notably with the names of seven inscribed in the presentation, including Charles B. Bankard, who himself received a sword also included here. Though the date of the presentation is not listed, it was evidently commissioned in late 1862, near the end of Merritt's time in command. Notably, Charles H. Bankard is listed among the men of Company A presenting the sword. (See the discussion regarding Bankard's service in Companies A & F of the 1st Maryland Cavalry, below). The men under his command evidently were passionate about Merritt's capable command and wished to honor him appropriately. 

After he returned home, he purchased 202 acres situated near Chestertown (The Baltimore Sun, 12 October 1863), but the next month was drafted in the Third District, Tenth Ward (26 November 1863). Evidently tired of war, he paid "commutation money" and was thus exempted. (The Baltimore Sun, 10 December 1863). 

2. Cavalry officer's saber patterned after U.S. m1840. Solingen, [Germany]: W. Clauberg, n.d. Overall approx. 41 1/2 in., blade 34 1/8 in. long.

The scabbard is inscribed between its topmount and center mount: "Presented to 1st Lieut. / Chas H. Bankard / 1st Md. Cavalry. By the Non Commissioned Officers / and Privates of Co. F. / April 3rd 1864". The blade is overall acid-etched with the usual imagery, including an eagle holding an "E. Pluribus Unum" riband and a scrawling "U.S."; the ricasso is stamped "W / Clauberg / Solingen," with the firm's symbol of an armored knight.

Charles H. Bankard was a Baltimore carpenter who enlisted with the 1st Maryland Cavalry as a sergeant in September 1861. According to the History and Roster of Maryland Volunteers, War of 1861-5, Bankard originally "entered the service as Sergeant, Company F," however, the muster rolls indicate that he served in Company A from his original enlistment in September 1861, through his promotion to Second Lieutenant (25 November 1862), until he was promoted to First Lieutenant in October 1863, at which time he transferred to Company F. (Note, this transfer is not recorded in the HDS database but is present on the digitized extant muster rolls). He remained with Company F throughout the rest of the war, when he mustered out in August 1865. 

After the Battle of Fredericksburg and Captain Merritt's resignation, the 1st Maryland Cavalry fought at the Battle of Brandy Station and at the Battle of Gettysburg. In 1864, they joined the operations at Petersburg, participating at the Battle of Chaffin's Farm. They closed the War with the Appomattox Campaign, battling at Five Forks, Sutherland Station, and Sailor's Creek, before witnessing the surrender of Lee at Appomattox Court House. 

The beautiful presentation sword was presented to Charles H. Bankard by the NCOs and privates of Company F on 3 April 1864, relatively early in his time with them, and is evidence of his effective leadership. 

Both swords are from the collection of Frederick "Frank" Logan. Frank Logan was a dedicated Civil War enthusiast and respected member of the collecting community. He began his lifelong passion for Civil War history as a relic hunter in the mid-1970s. Over the decades, that early interest grew into a deep passion for all aspects of the Civil War, with his collecting efforts eventually centering on Maryland-related artifacts and material culture.

A member of the Maryland Arms Collectors Association, he was well regarded among fellow collectors for his knowledge and appreciation of historical artifacts. Carefully assembled over many years, his collection reflects decades of searching, study, and a genuine dedication to preserving pieces of American Civil War history.

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] [Swords, Knives, Bowie Knives, Knife, Blades]