Skip to main content

This auction has ended. View lot details

You may also be interested in

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

An interesting U.S. Model 1850 Foot officer's presentation sword with San Francisco association image 1
An interesting U.S. Model 1850 Foot officer's presentation sword with San Francisco association image 2
Lot 4127

An interesting U.S. Model 1850 Foot officer's presentation sword with San Francisco association
Captain George Birdsall, Ellsworth Guard Zouaves

17 November 2008, 10:00 PST
San Francisco

Sold for US$2,223 inc. premium

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

How to sell

Looking for a similar item?

Our Arms and Armour specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.

Find your local specialist

An interesting U.S. Model 1850 Foot officer's presentation sword with San Francisco association
Captain George Birdsall, Ellsworth Guard Zouaves

Slightly curved 31 3/4 inch blade by Clauberg, etched and engraved with scrollwork panels framing US on one side and Federal eagle on the reverse. Brass hilt of standard pattern. Shagreen-covered grip retaining part of wire wrapping. Leather scabbard, the brass mounts with punched decoration, the throat engraved Presented /to/Captain Geo. Birdsall/E.Z.G./by his Friends/July 4, 1865.
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.
See Illustration

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.

Additional information

Bid now on these items

A Silver-Mounted Left-Hand Dagger, probably German, Italian or English Late 16th Century Or Later

A Cased Pair Of Scottish 50-Bore Percussion Duelling Or Target Pistols By Alex.r Martin, Glasgow, Mid-19th Century

The medals and associate ephemera and uniforms of Arthur Watts, 6th Inniskilling Dragoons

A Pair Of Highland All-Metal Percussion Belt Pistols Signed Paton & Walsh Perth, Mid 19th century