Sold for $20,400
30.75" blade. 6" hilt. 1.125" wide at ricasso. 39" overall with hilt and scabbard. Slightly curved singled edged spear point blade with wide 11" single fullers that transition into 18" double fuller on both sides. Blade has a Damascened finish overall, with acid etched E. PLURIBUS UNUM eagle on right side and acid etched US with neoclassical scroll on left side. Blade is marked with a TIFFANY & Co./NEW YORK banner on right of blade forward of ricasso, and WARRANTED TO CUT/WROUGHT IRON to obverse side of blade. Item still has white leather throat guard. Ricasso is marked with a serrated encircled P.D.L. on left side. Hilt has a three branch guard with floral engravings and an eagle head pommel surrounded by olive branches. Grip is silver with twisted wire wrapped 14 times. Scabbard is Tiffany silver with chased mounts showing acanthus leaf and US shield details. Drag has acanthus leaf and US details to both sides. Scabbard is engraved with text surrounded by simple scroll reading PRESENTED TO/Maj. F. M. Edgell/by the/OFFICERS AND MEN OF 1.s.t. N.H. BATTERY./Jany. 1st. 1865 near throat on left side. Scabbard is also engraved with text detailing all of the 1st New Hampshire Battery's engagements in banner format reading: In memory of/ RAPPAHANNOCK./ SULPHUR SPRINGS./ GROVETON./ 2nd. BULL RUN./ ANTIETAM./ UPPERVILLE./ 1.FREDERICKSBURG/ 2. FREDERICKSBURG./ CHANCELLORSVILLE/ GETTYSBURG./ BRANDY STATION/ MINE RUN./ WILDERNESS./ PO RIVER./ SPOTTSYLVANIA/ NORTH ANNA RIVER/ TOLOPATAMOY./ COLD HARBOR./ PETERSBURG./ DEEP BOTTOM/ SIEGE of PETERSBURG. Backside of scabbard shows a cast TIFFANY & CO./QUALITY/925.1000/M marking.
The following information is included in archive, and was sourced from a handwritten letter by both Edgell and Colonel Charles H. Long detailing Edgell's military history - Major Frederick Maron Edgell was born July 6th, 1828 in Lyme, NH. He enlisted as a private in Battery A of the 1st Missouri Light Artillery in June 1846 and served during the New Mexico Campaign and Battle of Sacramento. He was discharged at New Orleans in June 1847, and worked as a tinsmith until 1861 when he organized the first independent battery, known as the 1st New Hampshire Light Artillery. Edgell recruited the unit entirely out of Manchester, NH with the help of Edwin H. Hobbs in the autumn of 1861. He was mustered in as 1st Lieutenant of the 1st New Hampshire Light Battery on September 26th, 1861 and served as part of the 1st Division 1st Corps of the Army of the Potomac. He was engaged in action at Rappahannock Station, Sulphur Springs, and Groveton. He assumed command of the battery during the 2nd Battle of Bull Run and Antietam, following the wounding and capture of Captain George A. Gerrish on August 29, 1862. He was engaged in "affairs" near Upperville, both 1st and 2nd Battles of Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville. He was promoted to rank of captain on March 8, 1863. As captain, he commanded battery at the Battle of Gettysburg, as well as affairs of Kelly's Ford, Brandy Station, Battle of Mine Run, Battle of Wilderness, Po River, Spottsylvania, North Anna River, Tolopatamoy, Cold Harbor, and the Siege of Petersburg from June 16th to December 31st, 1864. He was also at Battle of Deep Bottom July 27, 1864. He was promoted to rank of major of the 1st Regiment New Hampshire Heavy Artillery on February 18th, 1865. Following his promotion he served on the staff of Brigadier General Martin Davis Hardin, commanding the Defenses North of the Potomac as Inspector of Artillery and Acting Assistant Inspector General. He was never wounded, and was mustered out of service June 15, 1865. Edgell died June 21st, 1877 in Georgetown, MA, and was buried in Lyme, NH.
Included with presentation sword is a red sash, white leather gauntlets, belt, and major's rank shoulder straps gifted to Edgell by Captain George K. Dakin and men who served with the 1st NH Battery, as is detailed in a letter included with archive. Also included with lot are six CDV's, two of Edgell and four of different officers and enlisted men who served in the 1st NH Battery; also a framed albumen photo and Kodak film negative of Edgell. Badges with item include a single captain's rank shoulder strap, post-1858 artillery officer's cap device with 1 at intersection, 2nd corps artillery clover patch, 3rd corps diamond patch, and circular embroidered crossed cannons patch with red backing. There is a sheet of 25 partially wrapped Scovill/Waterbury gilt artillery buttons, two crossed cannon pins, and two pins from the 22nd Annual N.H. Veteran's Association Encampment dated August 23-26, 1898 and buttons featuring photo of Maj. Edgell. Finally, a pincer plier tool with a note stating it was made by a captured confederate soldier from a single piece of wood.
Archive includes five binders of compiled information related to Major Frederick M. Edgell and the 1st New Hampshire Battery. Including four binders with photocopies of texts, correspondence, personal letters, and Tiffany & Co. archives documents from the commission of his presentation sword. One of the binders includes over 80 pieces of authentic documents and letters written by/to Edgell during his service and after. These include muster rolls, commissions, personal drawings, three personal diaries, and more. All items are housed in a custom sword presentation case made by J.W. Winchester and Company.
In-house shipping is not available for the display case of this lot.