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An interesting U.S. Model 1850 Foot officer's presentation sword with San Francisco associationCaptain George Birdsall, Ellsworth Guard Zouaves
Sold for US$2,223 inc. premium
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Find your local specialistAn interesting U.S. Model 1850 Foot officer's presentation sword with San Francisco association
Captain George Birdsall, Ellsworth Guard Zouaves
Captain George Birdsall, Ellsworth Guard Zouaves
Condition: Blade showing areas of light spotting/minor pitting. Hilt retains slight traces of gilt finish, the quillon bent downward with slight tear to guard. Grip wrapping with light scuffing. Scabbard leather showing some heavy scuffing and partial bend above drag. Drag showing numerous dents.
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Footnotes
Note: The Ellsworth Guard Zouaves were formed on January 24, 1862 and disbanded on September 12, 1866. One of a number of militia companies formed in San Francisco during the Civil War. While the unit is listed in contemporary records as the Ellsworth Guard Zouaves, the initials E.Z.G. on this sword would argue that the correct name adopted by the unit was Ellsworth Zouave Guards. In the patriotic fervor aroused by the start of the Civil War many small companies were raised around the country. Since they were not yet a part of the regular military establishment they usually adopted a nickname, in this case celebrating Col. Elmer Ellsworth of the 11th New York Regiment, the "first casualty of the war", killed in Alexandria, Virginia in 1861. According to the California State Archives the unit was designated as "2nd Brigade 1st Rgt. Arty. Co. B." Captain Birdsall is listed in the San Francisco registry of the period as a member of the San Francisco Police Dept. His descendants continued to reside in San Francisco and worked as members of the police and fire departments.




