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US M1865 CAVALRY SABER ENGRAVED TO MEDAL OF HONOR

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,500.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 5,000.00 USD
US M1865 CAVALRY SABER ENGRAVED TO MEDAL OF HONOR
WINNER CHARLES THOMAS OF THE 11TH OHIO CAVALRY. Overall length: 42 1/2". Blade length: 35". Plain single fullered blade stamped at the ricasso, “US J.C.W 1865” & “MADE BY AMES MFG CO CHICOPEE MASS.”. Solid brass hilt stamped w/ what appears to read, “C44” on the knuckle bow. Wire wrapped leather grip. Plated scabbard stamped “B” on the drag. Engraving between the suspension rings reads, “Sergeant Charles L. Thomas 11th Ohio Cavalry Powder River, Wyoming 1865”. Sgt. Thomas enlisted in the 11th Ohio Cavalry on June 22, 1863 & served until his discharge on July 14, 1866. Thomas was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for service during the Powder River Expedition on Sept. 12-17, 1865 against the Lakota Sioux, Cheyenne & Arapaho Indians in the Montana Territory & the Dakota Territory. Sgt. Thomas volunteered, at great personal peril, to carry a message through hostile Indian territory to Colonel Cole’s command which was surrounded by hostile Indian forces. He also saved the life of a wounded comrade discovered during his ride to Col. Cole’s position. This saber was likely given to Cole to commemorate his heroic achievements in the battle. He was later awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his selfless acts. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: a lg. loose leaf binder is included w/ the sword containing copies of Sgt. Thomas’ service record & his Medal of Honor certificate. Also included are copies of descriptions of the battle & publications relating to recipients of the Medal of Honor during the Indian Wars & related material. CONDITION: blade has a medium gray mottled patina. The hilt is very slightly misshaped. Leather & wire wrap are complete. Scabbard shows minor bubbling to the finish. Engraving is quite clear. A rare opportunity to acquire a saber directly tied to a Medal of Honor winner from the earliest years of the Indian Wars period. (02-15032/BF). $3,000-5,000.