Civil War Veteran 1st Maine Heavy Artillery G.A.R. Sword & More

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Civil War Veteran 1st Maine Heavy Artillery G.A.R. Sword & More

A very interesting group to Joseph F. Chadbourne, a veteran of the 17th Maine Volunteer Infantry and 1st Maine Heavy Artillery. The group includes his G.A.R. sword & belt, a bullet removed from his arm after the Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse, and a cabinet card sized photo of him with his fellow veterans at a GAR Convention, in which he is identified. The sword is an 1860 style Staff & Field officer's sword with the GAR crest on the guard. It is marked by the B.F. Beals Company of Auburn, Maine. It is in its original scabbard with three mounting rings, hanging on its white leather sword belt with GAR buckle. The owner is wearing this belt and sword in the photo. Along with the sword and belt is a flattened Confederate made minie ball bullet, removed from Chadbourne's arm after the battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse, during which he and 394 of his comrades in the 1st Maine Heavy Artillery were wounded, along with 82 killed. Finally there is a cabinet card sized photo of his GAR Unit, in which he is identified as the fifth man from the left in the front row. Size: The sword is 35 1/2 inches long overall, with a 28 inch blade. The belt is 43 inches long. The photo is 4 1/2 by 8 inches. The minie ball appears to be .58 caliber. Processing and shipping in the Continental United States is $65.00 plus 1.5% replacement cost insurance. Joseph F. Chadbourne of Bradford, Maine, enlisted in the 17th Maine Volunteer Infantry at age 19 on 8/18/1862 at Camp King in Maine as a three year Regiment. They joined 1st Division III Corps, and were under heavy fire at Fredericksburg, after which they were complimented for their coolness by General Berry, their Divisional Commander. The following Spring they served at Chancellorsville, where they were hotly engaged, losing 113 out of 624 men. They were then engaged at Gettysburg on the last two days, during which they lost another 132 men. A number of its men soon were joined with survivors of the 18th Maine Volunteers and formed into the 1st Maine Heavy Artillery, Chadbourne served in Company I. As part of this Regiment they were heavily engaged at Spotsylvania Courthouse, where they suffered 476 total casualties, including Chadbourne. It is not clear whether or not Chadbourne rejoined the Regiment for the Siege of Petersburg where the Regiment, serving as Infantry, suffered the heaviest casualties of the that campaign, and the highest number of officers killed of any Regiment in the Civil War. Chadbourne was not present for the Regiment's mustering out on Sept. 20, 1865, as he was listed as absent, wounded.

Condition:

The sword is very good. The grip is excellent. The blade has minor staining on the etching, but is bright and clean towards the point. There is a dent in the scabbard, and much of the chrome is worn off, but it is otherwise very good. The belt is quite flexible, with some of the white finish flaking. One hanging strap is torn, but it is all present, including the brass hanging snap. The photo is faded, but still clear. On the reverse is written in pencil, "Grampie Chadbourne, First Row, 5th from left."

Witherell's strives to provide as much information and photographs as possible but encourages in-person inspection by bidders. Condition statements are only for general guidance and should not be relied upon as complete statements of fact and do not constitute a representation, warranty or assumption of liability by Witherell's. All lots are sold "AS IS" under terms and conditions. Please be advised we do not provide porters nor packing materials for pick ups.

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Estimate: $250 - $500

Price Realized Including Buyer's Premium

$281

05/28/2023

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Annex Auctions strives to provide as much information and photographs as possible but encourages in-person inspection by bidders. Condition statements are only for general guidance and should not be relied upon as complete statements of fact and do not constitute a representation, warranty or assumption of liability by Annex Auctions. All lots are sold "AS IS" under the Terms and Conditions. Methods of payment are cash, check, money orders, card or wire transfer for foreign payments. This auction has a buyer's premium of 25%.

Civil War Veteran 1st Maine Heavy Artillery G.A.R. Sword & More | Annex Auctions

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Civil War Veteran 1st Maine Heavy Artillery G.A.R. Sword & More