IMPORT MODEL 1850 FOOT OFFICER’S SWORD IDENTIFIED TO 122ND NEW YORK CAPTAIN WOUNDED IN THE WILDERNESS – WITH FRAMED MEMORIAL

$2,500.00 SOLD

Quantity Available: None

Item Code: 765-22

Original Civil War import Model 1850 foot officer’s sword in good condition and is identified to Captain George W. Platt of the 122nd New York Infantry.

The drawn sword measures a total length of 36.00 inches from tip to pommel.  The steel blade is 30.50 inches long with a 13.25 inch narrow fuller and a 22.00 inch wide stopped fuller. The blade surface is semi-bright with light scattered mottling on both sides. The true edge has no nicks. Both the obverse and reverse ricassos are blank. The spine is marked “IRON PROOF.” The blade surface is embellished via the acid etching process that features a scrollwork and linear motif above each ricasso. The etching on the obverse of the blade consists of foliate and scrollwork featuring a spread-winged eagle as well as an “E PLURIBUS UNM” riband. The reverse decoration consists of a foliate design featuring a block “US” with embellished scroll decoration. Both sides have patriotic shields and panoply of flags worked into the decoration. The leather washer at the base of the guard is complete.

Sword has a highly detailed, two-line, cutout brass hilt with the guard and knucklebow cast in one piece.  The brass hilt features an intricate, foliate cutout design. The grip is made of a grooved, wooden handle wrapped in high quality, light colored sharkskin. Skin is tightly bound with double-twisted brass wire flanked by strands of straight wire. Normal seam is evident on the reverse side of the handle. Grips are original and show light wear.  Phrygian pommel cap is border-engraved with a raised anthesis and scroll with a patriotic shield at center.

The leather scabbard is in good condition. The throat is brass with a raised shield with a dot pattern outline. Engraved on this raised shield is “CAPT. / GEO. W. PLATT / 122ND REGT. / N.Y. VOLS. / MARCH 1, 1863.” The lower portion of the throat has a star studded ring mount with a floral and scroll decoration below it. The lower mount has a diagonal floral decoration with a scalloped border. Across it at center is another star decorated ring mount. Both rings are present. The brass drag is free of dents and is decorated with a spread-winged eagle under an arch of 13 stars. The lower portion of the drag is decorated with a US shield on a stippled field surrounded by a checkered patter with scrollwork and flora while the very bottom of the drag has a dot pattern decoration.

Also with the sword is a framed black and white “soldier’s memorial” for Company F, of the 122nd New York. Framed the item meas. approx. 22.00 x 27.00 inches. Frame appears to be the original. The memorial itself is in very nice condition. It has browned some with age but otherwise it is free of chips and tears. The memorial has the usual three columned lower section listing the names of the officers and enlisted men of the Company along with the Field Officers. Platt is listed on the memorial as a 1st Lieutenant. The top portion of the memorial is very busy with a harbor scene, a battle scene, and portraits of Columbia, President Lincoln, Burnside, Hooker, Grant, Rosecrans etc… The battle honors listed on the memorial run through Mine Run showing this item was produced in the winter of 1863-1864. There is some handwritten information about the rest of the regiment’s service in the bottom right corner but this has faded with age. “Wilderness” and “Cold Harbor” can be made out but little else. The back of the frame has a piece of tape covering an old hand written label. The tape is arranged so that it can be lifted to get a look at the label but the period ink writing has faded and is hard to read. It appears to be a name.

George Whitfield Platt was born in Marcellus, New York on November 12, 1839. At age 24 he was commissioned a 1st Lieutenant in Company F, 122nd New York Volunteers on August 15, 1862.

The regiment was first assigned to the 6th Corps of the Army of the Potomac and was under fire for the first time at Antietam but were not engaged. Lt. Platt’s first battle was at Fredericksburg on December 13, 1862 where the 122nd saw light action losing only 1 man wounded.

On March 1, 1863 Platt was promoted to Captain of Company F and led them into the Chancellorsville Campaign where the regiment was fortunate to suffer a loss of only 7 men wounded.

Platt next led his Company into the Gettysburg Campaign. During the battle the regiment supported the 12th Corps and suffered their first heavy losses of 8 killed and 33 wounded. The 122nd was engaged with the Confederates again that November at Rappahannock Station where they lost another 3 killed and 7 wounded.

After a winter in camp Captain Platt led his Company into the Wilderness Campaign. During the battle of the Wilderness the regiment suffered its heaviest loss of the war with 14 men killed, 76 wounded, 35 captured and 6 missing. Among the wounded was Captain Platt who received a severe gunshot wound to the middle third of his right leg with internal injuries. Evacuated from the battlefield Platt was taken to several different hospitals before being sent home to Marcellus to recuperate for 30 days. At the end of that time Platt wrote from his home requesting a further extension which was granted. Due to the severity of the wound Platt had to write every 20 days for an extension through October 7, 1864. Eventually he ended up in the Officers U.S.A. Hospital in Annapolis, Maryland in October 1864 and was discharged for wounds on the 25th of that month.

Sometime after the war Platt married and father one child. He and his family moved west to Topeka, Kansas where he was active in the Lincoln Post #1 of the GAR.

George W. Platt died on August 25, 1916 and was buried in Mount Hope Cemetery in Topeka, Kansas.

With the item are military records only from the National Archives and some internet research.  [ad]

Extra shipping required - items must be shipped separately. Total for insured UPS shipping east of the Mississippi $80.00 ($45 for sword, $35 for memorial), $110 west of the Mississippi ($60 for sword, $50 for memorial).

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