Tiffany & Co. Greco-Roman Bust Hilt Presentation Sword of Capt. A.A. Donalds - 2nd Fire Zouaves - Mortally Wounded at Bristoe Station
American Civil War
31.75" slightly curved, single-edged spear point point blade with 22" stopped median fuller and a 16.5" narrow fuller along the spine. 1.08" wide at ricasso. Overall length is 38.25" with a 6.25" gilt brass hilt with a twisted silver grip. Heavily chiseled hilt features the letters US inside each other in the front and rear faces of the guard, with trophies of war and twisted knuckle bow, terminating in a stunning Greco-Roman suit of armor and helmet bust as a pommel cap. A roaring tiger's head forms the forward swept upper quillon. The thirteen groove silver grip is wrapped with twisted silver wire. The obverse blade is stamped 1861 at the ricasso and COLLINS & Co / HARTFORD / CONN. on the reverse ricasso. the blade is etched with patriotic and martial themes, trophies of war and foliate patterns. The reverse is etched near the ricasso TIFFANY / & Co. / N.Y. with a large US as the central panel. The obverse shows two soldiers with American flags, one near the ricasso and one as the central panel with additional martial, patriotic and foliate themes. The interior of the guard is engraved Capt. A.A. Donalds. The leather scabbard is mounted with highly chiseled and engraved gilt brass mounts with a large US on both sides of the drag. The obverse upper drag is engraved Presented by / the Members of / His Command / Co F / 2nd Fire Zouaves / Camp Lawrence / Sandy Point, MD. / New York Dec. 25, 1861. For a nearly identical Tiffany presentation sword please see Thillmann's Civil War Army Swords 1832-1865 page 382. The sword is accompanied by a large binder of information about Donalds and his command.
Alfred A Donalds was 28 years old when he enlisted at the 1st sergeant of Company I of the 11th New York Infantry was better known as the First Regiment of Fire Zouaves, under the command of the illustrious Colonel Elmer Ellsworth. Ellsworth was killed in the famous removal of a Confederate flag from a home in Alexandria on May 24, 1861 and became the first Union martyr of the American Civil War. On July 21, 1861 the regiment fought at the Battle of Bull Run and Colonel Farnham who had taken over the command upon Ellsworth's death was mortally wounded. On August 1, 1861 1st Sergeant Donalds was promoted to Captain and given command of Company F of the 73rd New York Infantry, who were known as the Second Fire Zouaves. The regiment had been organized the previous month and were assigned to General Sickels' "Excelsior Brigade". The regiment spent most of its initial duty in and around the defenses of Washington and in March their brigade became the 2nd Brigade of the 2nd Division of the 3rd Corps of the Army of the Potomac. The regiment saw its first combat during the Peninsula Campaign with fighting at the Siege of Yorktown, Williamsburg, Seven Pines (Fair Oaks) followed by the Seven Days Campaign, including the Battles of Oak Grove, Savage's Station, White Oak Swamp and Malvern Hill. In late August the regiment participated in Pope's Campaign in Northern Virginia that began with the Battle of Bristoe Station and concluded with the fight at 2nd Manassas. It was at Bristoe Station on August 27, 1862 that Captain Donalds was mortally wounded and he died of his wounds two days later.
From the Collection of George Oldenbourg

Very good to fine. Blade with some dulling to the metal and the etching with scattered areas of light surface oxidation and discoloration, as well s some minor pitting near the tip. Etching remains mostly visible and clear. Hilt with some gilt remaining and the silver grip with moderate tarnish. Most of the twisted wire is in place with some minor loss and the red throat washer remains in place as well. Scabbard with slightly more wear, showing some crazing and finish loss with a moderate crease in the leather between the middle mount and the drag. Mounts with some gilt remaining and a rich, uncleaned patina. Leather with some finish fading as well. Stitching remains tight and secure. Scabbard solid overall.
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