RZM Fine Arts and Antiques Inc: Ask the Appraiser

The sword pictured has been in my family for several generations, going back well over one hundred years. The sword belonged to my grandfather’s father, whose name was Calvin McLain. He was originally from Ohio and was a Captain in the army during the Civil War. From what I was told, he was given this sword by the men of the 2nd Missouri Cavalry. After the war, he was an agent for the Wabash Railroad in Chicago. We have several photographs of him working on that railroad. That is all I know about this sword and my distant relative. As you can see by the pictures, it is a special sword with a lot of decoration. I’m wondering if you can tell me anything more about this sword, including its value. From reading your column, it seems you also have the ability to obtain information on American soldiers. I recently read your article about a World War I soldier that you wrote a very nice biography about his service in France. I’m sure that family will treasure that information you have supplied to them. Any information you may be able to find about this individual would be wonderful. Anxiously awaiting your reply. Thank you so much.

Diane

What a magnificent, historic, presentation-grade Civil War Cavalry Officer’s saber and scabbard, that was presented to Captain Calvin W. McLain by the Company “D” of the 2nd Missouri Cavalry, on March 1, 1863. Let me say, this is one of the finest Civil War swords that I’ve had the pleasure to inspect. Oh, and by the way, this sword was embellished and decorated by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Although the sword was produced by Collins & Co. in Hartford, Connecticut, it found its way to New York for decoration at Tiffany & Co. As soon as I saw the fantastic detail and elaborate decoration, I knew the craftsmanship was that of Tiffany. Hidden on the blade, is the Tiffany & Co / New York marking. Surprise! Let’s start with a description of the sword. The curved steel blade features highly detailed etching to include scrolls, martial motifs, a standing Zouave soldier on the right, TIFFANY & CO. N.Y. on the right side above the “1861” dated ricasso, and an officer on the left. The left ricasso has “COLLINS & CO / HARTFORD / CONN.” The gilt brass hilt has a red base washer, floral designs on the knuckle guard and pommel, a spread winged and shield motif on the back of the quillon, and a shagreen wrapped grip with brass wire. The beautiful scabbard has a gilded body inscribed “Presented to Capt. C.W. McLain by the Members of Co.D. Merrill’s Horse / March 1st, 1863.” The scabbard bands and drag are engraved with floral designs and a large “US” on the upper band. For the military record, the Merrill’s Horse was a Union Cavalry regiment originally raised under Major General John Fremont in the Western Department based in St. Louis and named for Colonial Lewis Merrill, who was a veteran of the 2nd U.S. Dragoons, who actually organized the unit in 1861 and served as Colonel for General Fremont. This unit was initially engaged in the bloody and difficult actions against Confederate guerrillas in northern Missouri. They were recognized for their aggressive actions and effective suppression of the Confederate guerrillas. So much so, that a book was written about this unit titled, “The Merrill Horse, or the Guerrillas Conquered.” As the Civil War raged on, they were also engaged in fighting the Confederate cavalry, this time in Alabama and Tennessee. After a bit of research in the U.S. Military Archives, I was able to find out that your relative Captain Calvin W. McLain was born in 1827 in Marysville, Ohio and died in 1892 in Jacksonville, Illinois. He served in Company D of the regiment and mustered in as a First Lieutenant and was commissioned in as a Captain on October 24, 1862. He was promoted again to the rank of Major on November 17, 1864. When the men of his company presented him the sword you now possess, he was assigned to the District of Northeast Missouri. After the war, he lived in Jacksonville, Illinois, and was listed as a member of the Board of Education. As you already know, he was also an agent for the Wabash Railroad in Chicago. As requested, the value of this sword. It meets all the important criteria to have substantial value in today’s market. To begin, it is an identified Civil War sword, it is of the highest quality, it has remained in excellent condition and to top it all off, it was embellished and decorated by Tiffany & Co. Frankly, it just doesn’t get better than this. The antique military collectibles market remains strong, with continued price increases year after year. A conservative value of this sword is 10,000 USD. Any of the advanced Civil War edged weapons collectors that I know, would want this amazing sword as one of the highlights of their collection.