Magnificent Gold Mounted Sword Presented to the Great American Soldier and Presidential Candidate Major General Winfield Scott by the Commonwealth of Virginia for War of 1812 Service along with his original manuscript letter to the governor of Virginia, dated July 9th 1821, acknowledging the sword and stating "toward my native state my feelings can never vary and should my humble services ever be required, it shall be found that she has not a more dutiful son" written forty years to the day before ordering Federal troops to invade the state at the outbreak of the Civil War. Generally deemed and accepted as one of the most important American gold mounted presentation swords extant.
A resolution of the joint houses of the Virginia Legislature, dated February 12, 1816, calls for the governor to "cause a suitable sword, with proper emblems and devices thereon, to be presented to Major General Scott as a mark of the high opinion the assembly entertains of his gallantry and distinguished services in the battles of Chippewa and Niagara." The aforementioned letter from Scott to governor Pleasants in 1821 provides specifications for the sword and suggests that Fletcher & Gardner of Philadelphia be retained to fabricate it. Subsequent correspondence identifies Harvey Lewis (a renowned Philadelphia silversmith as the artist retained to oversee the design of the sword. The sword was apparently finally presented to Scott in 1826. Copies of all correspondence detailing the inception, design and manufacture of the sword are, of course, included. The 30¾" blade is ovoid in cross section with a flattened median ridge. The blade is etched on both sides for ¾ of its length. All etching is delineated with excruciatingly detailed hand engraving and shadowed and highlighted in gilt. Absolutely incredible and beyond peer in our experience. The elements of the obverse of the blade begin at the hilt with (as described in the original artist's letter of July 24th 1824) "the general in the most conspicuous position reigning up his horse, to speak to a wounded officer who is on the ground supported by a soldier - the enemy giving way to the charge of the American column and are seen retreating in confusion - whilst a long 18 (pdr) is sweeping down their ranks from the battery on the left, in the back ground is seen (sic) the store buildings which composed part of the Fort, and in the perspective a distant view of the Lake." The ensuing panel displays a spread wing eagle with riband on either side "Chippewa 5th July 1814 and "Niagara 25th July 1814" The etching then terminates in a tendril of oak leaves and acorns . The reverse of the blade includes the inscription, "Presented by the Commonwealth of Virginia/to Major general Winfield Scott 12 Feby 1816" followed by the Virginia state seal and motto "Sic Semper Tyrannis", also terminating in a tendril of oak leaves and acorns. The hilt is, of course entirely of gold. The pommel is a plumed open visor helmet, the grip being decorated with deep relief alternating spiral bands of oak leaves and acorns and laurel leaves and berries. The central motif on both faces of the grip is a Medussa head surrounded by intertwined snakes. The delicate knuckle bow bears deep relief acanthus leaves w/a central cameo on both sides of a classical female head. The guard includes intertwined tendrils in relief on the top and terminates in heavy scrolls on both ends. The counterguard is the ultimate expression of the goldsmith's art. The central motif of a plumed helmeted classical head is surrounded by a wreath of laurel leaves and berries which is pierced with war axes and s spear. The axe blades and the spear point being finished in silver against the gold background. The whole is flanked by closed face Greek helmets, also finished in silver and highlighted in gold. The rim is surrounded by scrolls which terminate in graceful eagle heads holding a riband between them. The upturned reverse clamshell counterguard is decorated with fluting on the top. The wooden scabbard is covered with thin Moroccan leather, embossed with geometric designs and decorated with gilt lines. The gold mounts represent a continuation of the style elements, as well as the jewel like quality exhibited on the hilt. The gadrooned ring mounts are highlighted w/wings and lightning bolts on the top mount and Hercules grappling with the Nemean lion on the lower. The bottom scabbard mount features intertwined strands of oak leaves and acorns. An engraved brass collar is applied just above the bottom mount and a 1¾" collar is fitted between the bottom and middle mounts, both appropriately engraved. These were doubtless added during the period to provide reinforcement to these two fragile points on the delicate scabbard. The sword is housed in a pinewood box with iron hinges, lined with padded wool velvet, which, although certainly period, is not of a quality commensurate with the sword. A period handmade cotton storage bag is also included.
Winfield Scott was born on the family estate Laurel Branch, fourteen miles from Petersburg, Va., June 13, 1786. At the age of nineteen Scott stood six feet five, weighed 230 pounds and was generally touted as one of the strongest men in Virginia. His military career got off to a shaky start when, in 1810, he was suspended from the army for a year for insulting General James Wilkinson. Amidst the bungled early campaigns of the War of 1812, Scott was able to retain his reputation, attaining the rank of brigadier general in early 1814. His consummate skills at both training and command led to the American victories at Chippewa and Lundy's Lane where, for the first time, American regulars were able to match the stand up fighting skills of British veterans. Following the war, Scott helped modernize the U.S. Army and worked diligently to improve the training of the regular officer corps. He participated in the Black Hawk War and in 1835 was sent by President Jackson to South Carolina during the nullification crisis, with subsequent actions against the Creek and Seminole Indians in Florida. In 1841 Scott was elevated to general in chief of the U. S. Army and was dubbed "Old Fuss and Feathers" because of his reputation as a harsh drill master. At the outbreak of the Mexican War, in March 1847, Scott commanded an amphibious campaign capturing Vera Cruz. He then set out for Mexico City with 10,000 men winning battles at Cerro Gordo, Churubusco, Molino del Rey and Chapultepec, finally capturing the city in September of 1847. Scott had a contentious relationship with President Polk and it was not until 1852 that he was finally rewarded for his Mexican war victories by being promoted to lieutenant general, the only American officer to hold the rank between Washington and Grant. Scott was the Whig candidate for president in 1852, losing to Franklin Pierce. With Lincoln's election, Scott unsuccessfully urged President Buchanan to reinforce the southern forts. He helped establish the early Union strategy of blockading the Confederacy but was forced to retire because of infirmity in November 1861, dying quietly at West Point in 1866. The accompanying quarto three page manuscript letter is generally accepted as the most important Winfield Scott manuscript extant and provides a remarkable context to this resplendent sword. Additionally there is the two volume leather bound first edition (Sheldon & Co. New York 1864) of Scott's autobiography. 657 pp. with dozens of illustrations, some in color. Affixed at the back of volume two is a lock of Scott's hair underneath a copy of his signature. An American gold mounted sword exhibiting both the aesthetic impact and historical importance equaled by few other specimens in either private hands or institutions.
Condition: Other than some scattered blemishes on the blade, none of which obscure the prolific decoration, the sword is mint. The letter is excellent with just some overall fading. The set of books is also excellent.
Shipping: Bats, Clubs, Sticks, Swords, Rif (view shipping information)
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