VERY FINE NATHANIEL P. BANKS PRESENTATION SWORD

High-grade model 1860 Staff Officer's Sword with scabbard presented to Major General Nathaniel P. Banks.  

31 1/2" double-edged, spear-point straight blade with 11 3/4" median fuller. Overall 39".

Gilt brass hilt and pommel, single knuckle bow, and cast brass grip, all adorned with foliate motifs. Lacking hinged counter guard. Blade finely etched with foliate motifs. 

Gilt brass scabbard with three suspension mounts. Features the Massachusetts coat of arms and motto near the throat. A federal eagle and patriotic shield are featured near the third suspension ring. The reverse features a lozenge, finely engraved: "Presented to / Major. Genl. N.P. Banks / By / Col. I.K. Murphy, Major M. Scott / Capt. L.C. Kinsler / of the 29th Regt. Penna. Vols." 

The 29th Pennsylvania Infantry was organized in Philadelphia at the outbreak of war in July 1861 and was attached to Banks's Division in the Army of the Potomac on 17 August. In 1862 it remained under Gen. Banks in the 5th Corps, pursuing Stonewall Jackson in the Shenandoah Valley. The 29th Pennsylvania then fought at First Winchester, was in reserve at Cedar Mountain, and guarded supply trains at Second Bull Run (Manassas). In 1863 the 29th fought at Chancellorsville and at Gettysburg, where they repulsed an attack on the third day. Later in 1863 they moved south and joined the Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaign, fighting at Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Ringgold Gap, Resaca, the Assault on Kennesaw Mountain, the Siege of Atlanta, the Capture of Savannah, and the Carolina Campaign. 

This fine presentation sword likely dates from the early war, when the 29th Pennsylvania served under Banks in the Shenandoah Valley. 

Nathaniel P. Banks was a skilled debater and abolitionist who became an early star of the Republican Party, winning a seat in the United States House of Representatives and then as Governor of Massachusetts in 1858. Lincoln appointed Banks as one of the first political major generals at the outbreak of war. He experienced failures as a military leader throughout the war but was instrumental in reconstruction efforts in Louisiana and continued his political career as a Congressman after the war. 

A fine presentation sword. 

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] [African Americana, African American History, Black History, Slavery, Enslavement, Abolition, Emancipation] [Swords, Knives, Bowie Knives, Knife, Blades, Militaria, Weapons]