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FINE PAIR OF SILVER HILTED PRESENTATION FENCING

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:900.00 USD Estimated At:1,800.00 - 2,800.00 USD
FINE PAIR OF SILVER HILTED PRESENTATION FENCING
FOILS. These foils were presented at the United States Naval Academy in 1867 by, then Superintendent, Admiral David Dixon Porter. They were presented to Erasmus Dennison, who was deemed the best swordsman of his Naval Academy class. Dennison was the son of William Dennison, the wartime governor of Ohio. Governor Dennison is credited w/ raising over 100,000 troops in dozens of regiments for service to the Union prior to his term that ended in 1862. A grateful Abraham Lincoln appointed him Postmaster General in recognition of his efforts. It is theorized that after winning the prized pair of foils, Erasmus Dennison presented 1 to a friend named Miss Jessie Hower. Each foil has an overall length of 40 3/4". Blade lengths: 34 1/4". Plain blades are elliptical in cross section & marked w/ a king's head on 1 languet indicating mfg. by Weyersburg & "G" on the other languet indicating the blade is cast steel. Hilt appears to be solid silver w/ a 4 lobed guard. The 2 larger lobes have a cut out "US" & "NA" respectively for US Naval Academy. Knight's head pommel w/ silver wire wrapped solid silver grip. Each grip has a presentation engraved on the ridges. 1 Presentation reads "Presented to the Best Swordsman of the Class of 67 by Admiral D. D. Porter U.S.N.". The other presentation reads "Presented to Miss Jessie Hower by the Winner". An extremely historically significant pair of fencing foils presented by 1 of America's naval heroes to the son of 1 of its political heroes. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: a frame containing a period CDV photograph of Admiral David Dixon Porter w/ his clipped signature mounted below. Also, several professional photos of the pair of foils w/ an associated CD. Also, a copy of North South Trader's "Civil War" magazine containing an article about the foils. CONDITION: blades have a medium gray mottled patina. Markings at hilt remain clear. Both hilts have a pleasing mellow silver patina & show only the lightest wear. Presentations show light wear & are easily legible under magnification. (02-14519(2)/BF). $1,800-2,800.