Lot 142

Savage Presentation Ames Model 1850 Field Officer's Sword

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Savage Presentation Ames Model 1850 Field Officer's Sword

Estimate: $6,000 - $9,000

Starting Bid: $4,500

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 21, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Historic Presentation Ames Model 1850 Staff & Field Officer's Sword with Scabbard Inscribed to Lieutenant Edward B. Savage of the 24th Connecticut Infantry Regiment from His Associates at the Savage Armory with Framed Portrait and Silver Medal This Ames Model 1850 Staff & Field Officer's sword's blade measures 31 inches from tip to hilt and features a bright blade with fine etching showing floral filigree, "U.S.", a federal eagle, and martial motifs along with the Ames maker's mark on the right of the ricasso. The pierced guard is brass with "US", and the grip is shagreen with brass wire wrapping. The hilt features an attached portepee. The blued iron scabbard shows brass fittings and hangers and is inscribed "Presented/TO/Lt. E.B. Savage/Co. D. 24th Reg. C.V./BY HIS/LATE ASSOCIATES IN/THE/SAVAGE ARMORY/Middletown, Conn./Oct.1862" on the upper hanger fitting, while the Ames maker's mark is stamped on the back. The sword does not fit completely in the scabbard due to a dent on the outside of the drag. Included is a Maryland Institute for the Promotion of the Mechanic Arts silver medal with "AWARDED/TO/North & Savage/Conn./For a Revolving Rifle./1853" on the back and contained in a leather case. framed oil on canvas portrait purportedly portraying Edward B. Savage. The oval-shaped frame is approximately 30 x 25 inches at its widest points. Edward B. Savage (1838-1924) was the son of Edward Savage (1802-1874), who famously partnered with the son of Simeon North in the 1830s to form the firm North & Savage, which became the Savage Revolving Arms Company in 1860. With the outbreak of the Civil War, the elder Edward, at 60 years old, was beyond his fighting days and likely preoccupied running his arms manufacturing company fulfilling contracts for the U.S. government, while his son Edward, at 24, was young enough to be inclined to join the war effort on the front lines. The younger Edward took this opportunity in late 1862, joining the 24th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry as a lieutenant, which mustered into service in November of 1862. Given the date of the inscription on the scabbard of this sword, it appears that employees of his father's arms factory presented this sword to Edward upon his enlistment in the regiment. The 24th Connecticut was a "nine month regiment" and was initially shipped south to assist with the occupation of New Orleans and Baton Rouge in Louisiana, where they served until March of 1863. From there, the regiment took part in the operations around and siege of Port Hudson and later in the Bayou Teche Campaign, including the Battle of Irish Bend. The regiment was mustered out of federal service on 30th of September 1863, having lost 16 men killed or mortally wounded and another 59 to disease. As the wartime contracts dried up, so to did the Savage Revolving Arms Company, with the firm ceasing operations in 1866. The 1870 U.S. Census lists the elder of the Edward Savages as a farmer, however the fate of the owner of this sword is unknown.

Manufacturer: None

Model: None

Class: Other

  • Condition: Very fine, the blade remaining mostly bright with some scattered very light surface spotting/freckling and crisp etching overall. The hilt is fine retaining traces of original gilt finish with the balance showing attractively aged brass, shagreen with light wear and a moderate crack, and the wire wrapping remaining tight. The scabbard is very fine retaining most of the original blue finish, much of the gilt finish on the brass, a minor dent in the drag, and scattered light handling marks. The sword does not fully fit in the scabbard by 1 inch. The cased silver medal and framed portrait is very fine with minimal handling/storage evidence and mild age wear n the leather medal case. A historic sword that is deeply linked with both the Civil War and the Savage Revolving Arms Company!

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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