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Swords that we Know who Owned them
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Tiffany of New York Presentation Sword of the 9th New York Heavy Artillery
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Here is a fine looking sword with a cool history! This is an original Civil War foot officer's sword & scabbard carried by a soldier from the 9th New York Heavy Artillery. It has a beautiful blade etching presentation and the presentation is even recorded in the regimental history. The sword itself has the full-length 32 inch slightly curved single-edged spear point
blade with a 22 inch stopped median fuller. The sword measures 38 in overall length, with the hilt making up 6 of those inches. The handle of the sword is made of cast gilt
brass guard with openwork foliate designs and thistles engraved on the
face of the guard and the number 255 stamped in the face as
well. The handle itself has the shank skin cover with fourteen wraps of
twisted brass wire. The backside of the blade has the maker's mark of COLLINS & CO/HARTFORD/CONN/1862. Above that mark it is clearly etched by the retailer, Tiffany & Company of New York. The blade is detailed with a 19 inch etched panel with foliate scrolls, martial and patriotic
themes, including panoplies of arms, a Shield of Columbia with Stand
for the Union in a ribbon below it, and a striking eagle with a Shield
of Columbia in its talons. The backside of the blade is crisply etched with the panel DENNIS E. FLYNN/Presented by his Friends/in Clyde.
The sword is accompanied by its black leather scabbard with engraved
gilt brass mounts. The scabbard body is decorated with incised lines and
has a rear seam. The sword is accompanied by a large binder of
information and research regarding Flynn and his service, copies of
records and research, etc. The binder also includes an original
discharge from the army that was signed by Flynn. The records show that Dennis Flynn (1832-1873) was born in Ireland and emigrated to New
York where he settled in Clyde and and worked as a saloon keeper. He
enlisted on August 23, 1862 and was commissioned the 1st lieutenant of
Company K of the 138th New York Volunteer Infantry which was
subsequently designated the 9th New York Heavy Artillery. The regiment
was initially sent to the defenses of Washington and received their new
designation as the 9th NY Heavy Artillery on December 19, 1863. The
regiment was one of the many "heavies" that were pulled from the
Washington defenses in the spring of 1864 to serve as infantry in the
field as part of Grant's Overland Campaign. The regiment subsequently
fought at the Battle of North Anna, Battle of Totopotomoy Creek, Cold
Harbor and Bethesda Church. They were involved in the initial Siege of
Petersburg and fought at the Jerusalem Plank Road and at Monocacy. They
then moved to the Shenandoah Valley and fought at Summit Point, 3rd
Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek. They then returned to the
siege lines around Petersburg, after a brief stop in the defenses of
Washington. The regiment was involved its the final assault and
breakthrough at Petersburg in April of 1865, followed by the Battles of
Amelia Springs and Sayler's Creek, and was present at Appomattox for
Lee's surrender. Flynn was promoted to captain on October 15, 1864 and
was mustered out of service on July 6, 1865. Flynn died in 1873 at the
age of 40. One thing that is neat about this sword is that in the regimental history , there is a notation stating that he was given the sword. They state that the "Village thought a deal of the young lieutenant, and gave him a sword and equipment when he went away." There is also an image of Flynn from a book. There is also a copy of the September 1981 catalog of famous relic seller, George Lower of Gettysburg who had this sword listed. This exact sword was sold by Julia Auction in 2004 for $5,175. The book has lots of other history on Flynn and his service. This one is a keeper.
Item #: C1453 Shipping Weight:
15 lbs
Your Price:$4,500.00 USD
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