Lot 3204

Kentucky Veteran Presentation Inscribed Civil War Officer Sword

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Kentucky Veteran Presentation Inscribed Civil War Officer Sword

Estimate: $5,000 - $7,500

Starting Bid: $3,750

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 23, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Documented Historic Civil War Tomes, Son & Melvain Clauberg Non-Regulation Model 1850 Officer's Sword and Scabbard Presented to Captain W. K. Gray of Company C, 7th Kentucky Veteran Volunteer Infantry with Documentation, Including Gray's Second Lieutenant Appointment This Civil War era sword was purchased from Tomes, Son & Melvain of New York City for presentation to Captain William K. Gray (1841-1916) of Company C of the 7th Kentucky Veteran Volunteer Infantry by ten men from his company c. 1865-1866. The sword is accompanied by several framed original documents including his commission as a second lieutenant signed by Governor Beriah Magoffin of Kentucky as well as a large number of documents relating to his service and later life. The 7th Kentucky Veteran Volunteer Infantry was mustered in on Christmas Eve 1864 primarily with veterans from the 7th, 19th, and 22nd Kentucky Volunteer Infantry supplemented with some new recruits. They were stationed in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, until mustering out on March 11, 1866. Captain William C. Gray had previously served in the 32nd as a second lieutenant and 22nd Kentucky Volunteer Infantry as a first lieutenant and then captain. "The Ground Around was Slippery with Blood: Garrard's Detachment at the Battle of Perryville" by Taylor Bishop discusses the heroic actions of the Union Tennesseans and Kentuckians at the largest and last major battle in Kentucky and indicates Gray took command of Captain Robert B. Taylor's company which included recruits for the 22nd and 32nd Kentucky Infantry after Captain Taylor was wounded while they took their stand against the Confederates at Perryville and afterwards took the remaining men and rejoined Company I of the 22nd Kentucky Infantry. The Daily Commonwealth of Frankfort, Kentucky, on January 14, 1863, reported on the "Frankfort Boys at Vicksburg" and reported that Gray was wounded in the battle. When Gray died in Denison, Texas, in 1916, the Waco Times-Herald reported on September 11, 1916, that his "Death was caused by an old wound he received during the siege of Vicksburg, where Mr. Gray fought on the Union side as a captain of volunteers." The obituary also indicates he had by that time lived in Denison for twenty-five years working as an inspector with the federal revenue service and in private business. The obituary notably states: "In March, 1866, he was discharged from service at Baton Rouge, La. As a mark of admiration for his courage, the ten surviving members of his company presented him with a handsome sword at New Orleans at the end of the war." The sword features a 33 inch blade with patriotic and martial etching highlighted with gold, "TOMES SON/& MELVAIN/NEW YORK" etched on the right ricasso, "IRON PROOF" etched on the spine, along with "W. CLAUBERG" and "SOLINGEN" flanking the knight emblem on the left ricasso. The brass hilt has scroll patterns and a "shagreen" textured silver grip. The blued iron scabbard has brass mounts with engraved patriotic, martial, and scroll motifs along with the following presentation inscription on the reverse of the upper band: "PRESENTED/TO/ CAPT. W. K. GRAY/Co. C 7th Kentucky/V.V.I./By 10 Members of/his Company/as a token of/their esteem."

Manufacturer: None

Model: None

Class: Other

  • Condition: Very good, with a mostly bright blade with strong traces of original gold in the distinct etching, minor staining mainly towards the tip and base, attractively aged patina on the brass hilt and silver grip, and mild wear from age. The scabbard is also fine with crisp engraving and presentation inscription, 85% plus of the aging original finish, and minor age and storage wear. Overall a rare documented presentation sword for a Civil War Kentucky veteran and later Texan.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000