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OFFICER’S SWORD & DOCUMENTS BELONGING TO

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:450.00 USD Estimated At:900.00 - 1,200.00 USD
OFFICER’S SWORD & DOCUMENTS BELONGING TO
COLONEL RISHWORTH RICH OF THE 9TH MAINE INFANTRY. Rishworth Rich joined the 9th Maine Infantry as its colonel on September 21, 1861 in Portland, Maine. He served until May 27, 1863 when he was discharged for poor health. This lot includes his non-regulation staff & field officer’s sword measuring 39" overall w/ a 33" blade. Blade has etched military, patriotic & foliate motifs throughout half its length. The ricasso is marked “W. WALSCHEID SOLINGEN”. Iron hilt w/ cut out American eagle & “US”. Brass wire wrapped sharkskin grip. Iron scabbard w/ metal patriotic ID tag attached that is stamped “R. RICH 52 SALEM PORTLAND MAINE”. This lot further includes a copy of Rich’s appointment as a captain in the Maine militia in 1860. Along with the earlier appointment is his Civil War appointment as colonel of the 9th Maine Infantry. The final document is an official copy of Special Order No. 301 by command of Major General David Hunter discharging Colonel Rich for disability. Major General Hunter was famous for prematurely emancipating the slaves & was the president of the military commission trying the conspirators involved in the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: a black & white photo of Colonel Rich as an elderly man. CONDITION: blade has a light gray, very lightly mottled patina. Grip is undamaged. Hilt & scabbard have a dark, nearly plum brown finish. It appears that the scabbard was struck by a bullet approximately 9" up from the tip. The 2 framed documents show some minor discoloration & foxing. Frames show light to moderate wear. (02-14031/BF). $900-1,200.