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Presentation Sword of Captain David Johnston Craigie
Wounded at the Battle of Shiloh and left on the field overnight as a Confederate prisoner.
Rescued the following day by friends.
Brevet for Gallant and Meritorious Service at the Battles of Shiloh and Iuka
Retired as a Brigadier General
Lieutenant Clement See
Wounded in action at the Battle of St. Mary's Church. (Click on the picture for details).
Presentation Grade Ames Foot Officer's Sword
This is the highest grade Ames sword issued to Foot Officers.
(Click on picture for details)
High Grade Mounted Officer's Saber
Superb high grade early American Saber.
(Click on picture for details)
Presentation Grade Foot Officer's Sword
High Grade Horstmann & Sons of Philadelphia - Silver Gripped Foot Officer's Sword.
(Click on picture for details)
The Presentation
Presentation swords are swords that were usually presented to officers out of respect and recognition of service or deed. Many were presented from donations taken up by soldiers of the rank and file serving under them (in gratitude for not getting them killed) or family, relatives, and friends. Rare presentation swords would include those presented by high office or Congress. Amongst the presentation swords highly prized by collectors are those constructed from high grade materials and those exhibiting superior craftsmanship and attention to detail.
One can generally expect swords presented to officers wounded or killed on the battlefield to command a premium, especially those swords presented to officers executing critical roles in battles, those bestowed with the medal of honor or engraved with battle honors and of other historical significance. Any of these additional attributes related to the sword will increase the dollar amount one might expect to pay. A word of caution is warranted regarding fakes and "homemade" provenance. As presentation swords tend to draw higher prices, it is inevitable that the market becomes attractive to those seeking to defraud unwitting buyers. It is relatively easy to have inscriptions added to swords. Due diligence should be practiced prior to purchasing the sword, not afterwards (I speak from experience). For a $30.00 fee, records of soldiers may be ordered online from the National Archives Records Administration (NARA).
"The power of noble deeds is to be preserved and passed on to others"
- Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain
Presentation Grade Emerson & Silver, Trenton, New York
Non-Regulation Staff & Field Officer's Sword
High Grade Gold-Washed Blade
(Click on picture for details)
Lieutenant A. M. Clarke
Sometimes we find a sword to which we cannot pinpoint the recipient through the inscription. This is such a sword. I have narrowed it down though to two possibilities. (Click on the picture for details).
American Presentation Swords
Presentation Grade Assembled By Etienne Le'on, Paris - Klingenthal Blade
Non-Regulation Staff & Field Officer's Sword
Lieutenant B.F. Waite
Present at the Siege of Port Hudson
Lieut. Waite is buried in Lynn Haven Cemetery, Florida, Block 15, Lot 9.
Major J.J. CArle
High grade Eagle Head Presentation sword to Major J.J. Carle dated 1823. This incredible sword is featured in the color photo section of the American Eagle Pommel Sword by E. Andrew Mowbray.(Click on picture for details)
Presentation Grade Horstmann & Sons Staff & Field Officer's Sword
Gold-Washed Blade, seldom seen George Washington bust scabbard mount.
(Click on picture for details)
Lieutenant thomas C. burnes
Mortally wounded by a bullet at the Battle of Hatcher's Run on October 27, 1864, Lieut. Burnes died from his wound on October 28, 1864.
1897 - Lt. Burnes' name was placed on the West Point Battle Memorial.
1904 - Battery Burnes was commissioned at Fort Totten, New York in honor of him. The battery was decommissioned in 1945.
Lieutenant Burnes is buried in Section C, Plot 101, Loudon Park Cemetery, Baltimore.
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