[WAR OF 1812]. 1803 pattern British Light Infantry or Grenadier officer's sword made by noted Irish cutler John Reed, College Green, Dublin.
Sale 1095 - American Historical Ephemera & Photography, Featuring Property from the James Milgram, M.D., Collection of Broadsides, Ephemeral Americana & Historical Documents
Day 1 Lots 1-403
Nov 3, 2022
10:00AM ET
Day 2 Lots 404-634
Nov 4, 2022
10:00AM ET
Live / Cincinnati
Estimate
$1,000 -
$2,000
Sold for $1,063
Sold prices are inclusive of Buyer’s Premium
Lot Description
[WAR OF 1812]. 1803 pattern British Light Infantry or Grenadier officer's sword made by noted Irish cutler John Reed, College Green, Dublin.
26 in. curved blade with clipped point. Overall length 31 1/8 in. With sculpted & beveled guard and lion head pommel & backstrap. Pair of complementary lion heads set upon both langets (all yet retaining considerable gilt finish and/or gold plating). Grip is covered in thin black leather (lightly scuffed with a small number of quaint worm holes) and wrapped with two sizes of stranded twisted copper wire in a threefold arrangement (loose and shifted in certain areas, with several fully restorable breaks). Constructed of similar quality, the wide leather scabbard is adorned with three large & imposing scrolled-edge brass mounts, two equipped with carrying rings and the other serving as a tailpiece drag. Upon the top scabbard mount, the name of one of the scarcest and most desirable makers of the period, John Read, is exquisitely engraved and inscribed, together with the College Green location in Dublin where he practiced his trade from 1796 to 1817. Lightly blemished with gray metal finish throughout (save for a small amount of gold still upon the oval "WARRANTED" marking at hilt), blade is etched with the typical military motifs, most notably the British Seal. Provenance: Found at a farm auction in northern Ohio where the only military items advertised were ancestral Civil War diaries and letters, this lone piece likely having been a souvenir brought home by another family member who fought in the War of 1812 (accompanying description provided by consignor).
A handsomely manufactured sword signed by noted Irish cutler John Read likely brought home as a souvenir from the War of 1812 by an Ohio soldier.
Property from the Inventory of James C. Frasca
Condition Report
The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to
age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and
restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition
they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make
no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind
as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue
description or a condition report shall not amount to a full
accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Hindman
staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the
Department prior to bidding.
The absence of a posted condition report on the Hindman website or
in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an
item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for
inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect
the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have
requested, received and understood any condition report provided
by Hindman.
Please email conditionreports@hindmanauctions.com for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.