FRENCH IMPORT PRESENTATION GRADE SWORD ID’D TO 18TH KENTUCKY LIEUTENANT

$2,250.00 SOLD

Quantity Available: None

Item Code: 836-31

This sword was presented to Lieutenant Charles M. Lemar of Company K, 18th Kentucky Infantry by the men of his Company. Lemar had served as a Sergeant in the Company throughout the war and was commissioned in June of 1865.

The semi-bright blade on this sword meas. approx. 32.00 inches long and 1.50 inches wide at the ricasso. The spine of the blade is slightly rounded while the edge has only two minor nicks. The blade surface has moderate mottling scattered throughout while the very tip of the point is pitted. There is a stopped fuller running approx. 22.50 inches and a narrow fuller that runs 13.00 inches. Both sides of the ricasso are blank as is the spine. The etching on the blade is faint but visible. The obverse side is decorated with “ALWAYS READY” closest to the ricasso followed by flora and scrollwork. The reverse has an intertwined “US” followed by a spread-winged eagle.

The brass hilt is similar to the French Model 1838 Chasseurs saber. It has a Phrygian style pommel cap that is plain on top but has heavily decorated edge consisting of a cast laurel wreath. The single knucklebow starts at the pommel cap with a deep cast scroll decoration and then changes to a thin square shape before reaching a flute halfway down. After the flute the knucklebow widens into almost a basket shaped counterguard with cutouts and a raised cast spread-winged eagle beneath a riband of seven stars amidst fan shaped flags on the front. After passing the grip the guard narrows into a quillon with a circular decoration. There is a slight wiggle to the knucklebow and guard. The grip is cast of a ribbed white metal with a textured high surface to facilitate a tight hold. The front of the grip has four small holes that appear to be from wear or are casting flaws. Al the brass has a nice light patina.

The brass scabbard has a very ornate cast brass throat, mounts and rings. Each is decorated all the way around. The throat has a heavy laurel wreath at top with a “US” in a wreath at bottom. Throat is missing small anchor screws and is loose. The top mount has a spread-winged eagle perched above a wreath of laurel with a patriotic shield at the center of a scrollwork decoration. The bottom mount continues the motif but without any embellishments. A close examination shows this bottom mount is on upside-down and backwards. It can easily be corrected but that is up to the next owner. It has been this way for a long time. The drag is a very ornate with heavy raised scroll and floral decorations. The scabbard in general is free of any major dings or dents and the patina on the brass matches that of the hilt very well.

Between the two mounts is an engraved script presentation that reads “PRESENTED TO/1ST LT. CHAS. M. LEMAR/ BY THE MEMBERS OF/ CO. K, 18TH K.V.V.I.” Presentation is faint but readable.

Charles M. Lemar was born in Mason County, Kentucky. On February 8, 1862 he enlisted at Louisville as a Sergeant in Company K, 18th Kentucky Infantry. During his servie the regiment saw action at Richmond, Kentucky as well as Chickamauga, Ringgold, Franklin, Goldsboro and Raleigh. During its service it suffered the loss of 6 officers and 237 enlisted men killed in action and died of wounds and disease. In June of 1865 Sergeant Lemar was promoted to 1st Lieutenant. It is possible he served in this position for a while before being officially promoted and re-mustered. Only a look at his records will tell for sure and the next owner of this sword may find an interesting story there if they care to get them from the National Archives.

Not much is known of Lieutenant Lemar’s post-war life. It is known that starting in 1891 he lived in National Himes for disabled soldiers at Dayton, Ohio; Danville, Illinois; Marion, Indiana; Johnson City, Tennessee; Leavenworth, Kansas and Hampton, Virginia. He died on December 3, 1913 and is buried in Marion National Cemetery in Marion, Indiana.

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