Manufactured: Chicopee, Mass  Maker: Ames Mfg. Co  Year: 1863  Model: Staff  Size: 32 in. blade

Two swords and a solid gold medal were presented to Acting Mate Louis N. Stodder for operating the gun turret of the Monitor when the other two members were knocked unconscious.

The two swords and the Medal were in the famous Medicus Collection purchased by Norm Flayderman many years ago. The other sword is also in a private collection. The three pieces were presented by the citizens of Boston. The inscription reads: “Presented to / Lieut. Louis N. Stodder / by the Citizens of Boston / Feb. 23rd, 1863”. The silver plated scabbard also has battle honors of the Monitor: “MONITOR  / AND / MERRIMAC / March 9th, 1862, Sewalls Point / May 8th, 1862, Fort Darling / May 15, 1862 and Foundered Off / Cape Hatteras / Dec. 31, 1862”. The scabbard mounts are wide gilt brass with applied decoration.

The guard and pommel are loaded with extra embellishment and chasing. The pommel pien is concealed with a gilt brass cap.  The sharkskin grip is wrapped with gilt, twisted wire. The blade is etched for 24 inches with the Ames highest quality, cross-hatch designs. It has the Ames Mfg. Co. / Chicopee / Mass followed by stands of arms, Federal shield, American Eagle, E. Pluribus Unum ribbon and very fancy designs. The reverse has the same decoration with a script U.S. replacing the Eagle and an additional stand of arms. Ex: Phillip Medicus collection, Ex: Norm Flayderman Collection, Published in American Swords pg260, 261.

Included in the photographs above is a scan of a war-time photograph of Stoddard wearing the gold medal presented to him; this is followed by an image of the officers of the USS Monitor including Stodder, who is seated at the far left.  Following these are scans of four pages of a longer discussion of Stodder’s service record and a much more extensive description of the sword.

Purchase accompanied by a binder of research material which includes Stodder’s pension records.

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