Non-Regulation Import Staff & Field Officers Sword Inscribed to Lt. Col. Andrew W. Raffen - 19th Illinois Infantry
American Civil War
31.25" slightly curved single-edged spear point blade with a 22.5" unstopped median fuller. Blade 1" wide at ricasso, overall length 36.5". 5.5" hilt with gilt brass guard featuring a spread-winged eagle in the face, in the style of the classic "Peterson 75". Grooved wood grip covered in leather with sixteen wraps of multi-strand wire. Top of pommel cap smooth oval bone cameo style insert and face of pommel cap with Masonic "Square & Compass" iconography. Blade with weak etching depicting flowing foliate scrolls, martial and patriotic themes. Heavy brass scabbard with chased oak leaf mounts is engraved on the obverse between the upper mount and the throat: Presented to/Lt. Col. A.W. Raffen/19th ILL. Inft./by his Chicago Friends/Jan. 1st 1863. The sword is published on pages 55-56 of Inscribed Union Swords by David Stroud. A large binder of research and information regarding the Raffen is included with the sword.

Andrew W. Raffen was commissioned into the 19th Illinois Volunteer Infantry on July 30, 1861 as the captain of Company E. The regiment served in the Western Theater of operations, initially in and around New Madrid, MO with most of the balance of 1861 and 1862 was spent in the states of Tennessee and Alabama. The first large scale combat for the regiment came at Stones River (Murfreesboro) during December 30, 1862-January 3, 1863. On July 22, 1862 Raffen was promoted to lieutenant colonel of the regiment and he took command of the regiment at Stones River after the colonel was wounded. The regiment fought at Chickamauga and during the Chattanooga Campaign including at Missionary Ridge. 1864 brought fighting in and around Dalton followed by the Atlanta Campaign, and the regiment was mustered out in July of 1864.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
From the Collection of George Oldenbourg

Good. Blade cleaned with a dull pewter patina and weak etching. Blade with a couple of edge nicks and slightly loose at the guard/hilt/blade junction. Grip with moderate wear and some leather loss, wire intact. guard with some traces of gilt. scabbard with moderate wear, numerous dents and dings, and a crack about halfway between the middle mount and the drag.