STRIKING, PUBLISHED EXAMPLE OF MILITIA OFFICER'S SWORD PRESENTED TO CAPT. RICHARD LILLY OF THE "FIRST BALTIMORE SHARP SHOOTERS" IN 1847

Ornate m1840 militia officer's sword, presented to Capt. Richard Lilly, First Baltimore Sharpshooters. [Cabotville, Massachusetts]: N.P. Ames, 1847. Overall Length: 37 in.

Published in Daniel D. Hartzler’s American Silver-Hilted, Revolutionary and Early Federal Swords. Vol. I. Fig. 344, p. 365.

31 3/4 in. straight, double-edged blade with central median fuller. The reverse of the ricasso is etched “R & A Campbell Baltimore” and “N.P. Ames” is etched on the blade with the following address obscured by the languets. Robert Campbell was known to import swords into Baltimore from 1819 to 1834. He entered into business with his brother Andrew from 1834 to 1854.

Frosted with etched foliate and patriotic designs. Obverse features a Federal eagle grasping a “Liberty” riband underneath 11 stars and radiance. Scrollwork and martial themes continue along the blade. The reverse features more scrollwork, a panoply of arms topped by a Phrygian liberty cap, and oak leaves. 

Hilt cast, chased, and gilt brass. Cast-in-the-round helmet head pommel that transitions to a ferrule that connects to the backstrap that supports mother-of-pearl grip scales. A double chain guard connects to the crossguard featuring scrollwork, stars, and terminating bud quillons.

Complete with brass scabbard featuring engraved designs and vignettes with cast, chased, and gilt brass fittings and 3 brass suspension rings. Gold plaque is finely engraved: “Presented to Capt. Richard Lilly by the ‘First Baltimore Sharp Shooters.’ July 5th 1847.”

Excitingly, a period newspaper describes the circumstances of the presentation: "During the day the pleasing ceremony of presenting a beautiful sword to Captain Lilly took place. It was presented by Mr. R.A. McPherson, on behalf of the rank and file of the corps, as an evidence of esteem in which they hold their commander. It was a free gift of the men, the officers knowing nothing about it." (The Baltimore Sun, July 1847). The Baltimore Sharpshooters were a militia regiment mentioned as early as 1814.
 

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.

[Swords, Guns, Militia, Mexican-American War, Mexico, Texas, Republic of Texas, Militaria] [Mexican American War, Texas, Sam Houston, Austin, Civil War, Union, Confederate]