Here is a beautiful sword with a rock solid identification! This is a beautifully crafted high grade Ames made Civil War Model 1850 Staff and Field Officers Sword Presented to Captain John Chipman of the 59th Massachusetts Infantry. The sword is even accompanied by his Sash, CDV and GAR Badge. The sword itself is the high grade version made by the Ames Company that has the all brass scabbard. It has the full-length 32 inch slightly curved single-edged blade with a 22-1/4th inch stopped median fuller. The sword measures 38 inches in overall length with a 6 inch hilt. It has the classic basket style gilded brass hand guard with the large US lettering. The original grooved wood grip has some traces of the sharkskin grips with the original 14 wraps of twisted brass wire. The base of the blade has the etched Ames Manufacturing Company "scroll" pattern Chicopee, Massachusetts address. The blade is crafted with a 16 inch acid etched panels featuring foliate scrolls, patriotic and martial themes, a US on the reverse and an American Eagle with a ribbon reading E Pluribus Unum on the obverse. The sword is accompanied by the original engraved gilt brass scabbard which is decorated with foliate scrolls and a large panoply of arms featuring a liberty cap. The scabbard is Ames marked on the reverse at the throat. On the obverse it is engraved between the two mounts, Presented to/Capt. John H Chipman/by the Members of Co. C./59th Regt. Mass. Vet. Vols. John H Chipman Jr. (1838-1866) was a 22-year-old shoemaker when he enlisted in the Massachusetts volunteers to fight for the Union on April 15, 1861. He had been a member of the pre-war Beverly Light Infantry militia company so it was not unexpected that he would immediately volunteer for service. On April 30 he was mustered into Company E of the 90-day 8th Massachusetts Volunteers Regiment, and was mustered out on August 1, 1861. In response to the call for 300,000 men from President Lincoln, the regiment was reconstituted in September and on the 17th Chipman was mustered into the reformed Company E of the 8th Mass Volunteers for 9 months of service, this time with the rank of corporal. The regiment spent most of that service in North Carolina, primarily in and around New Berne. He was mustered out on August 7, 1863.On October 16, 1863 he was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant in Company C of the newly formed 59th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. While on his initial duty with the regiment he developed the early signs of consumption and returned home briefly to recuperate. On December 16, 1963 Chipman was promoted to command of Company C as their captain. The 59th Mass saw their first combat during Grant's 1864 Overland Campaign, starting with the Battle of the Wilderness, followed by Spotsylvania, Totopotomoy Creek, Cold Harbor and then on to the Siege of Petersburg. On May 31, 1864 at Totopotomoy Creek, Chipman was wounded in his hand and returned home to recuperate. He returned to active duty at Petersburg around August 12, 1864 and at that time assumed command of the regiment on a temporary basis, as the colonel had recently lost a leg, the the lieutenant colonel had been killed and the major was home recuperating from wounds. On August 18, 1864 while leading a reconnoissance along the Weldon Road, Chipman was captured by a Confederate ambush. He was stripped of his sword, belt and other personal items and accoutrements and somewhat unceremoniously conducted to Libby Prison. While confined at Libby he contracted typhoid fever. He was later moved to prisons in Danville, VA and eventually Salisbury, NC. Chipman was released on February 23, 1865 and went home to recuperate. However the consumption that had begun two years earlier had worsened and in his weakened state he only managed to survive for another 18 months, dying on June 16, 1866. The Beverly GAR Post #89 was named in honor of Chipman. Somehow the scabbard of his presentation sword and the sash ended up back with the family and descended through it until at least the 1970s and possibly as late at the 1990s. A previous collector reunited the sword and scabbard circa 1999. The sword is accompanied by a large binder of research and information about Chipman, his family lineage, copies of his service records, period references to the presentation of the sword to him by his company, copies of images and at least one original letter. The sword is accompanied by Chipman's maroon sash, a studio portrait CDV of him seated and a celluloid Beverly, MA GAR "J.H. Chipman Jr." Post 89 badge with ribbon. You get the whole group of wonderful pieces of history for $6,950.

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All items are described to the best of our ability. Remember that the only true experts died 100 years ago. If we make a mistake we will make it right. It is always best to call and reserve an item as most of them are unique. We do out best to keep the web-site up-to-date but sometimes items sell out of the shop or at a show and aren't removed immediately. After you place your order and receive confirmation from Shiloh Relics. The item will be held for 7 days for the payment to arrive. If payment is not received within 7 days the item will be placed back for sale. Please call between 9:30 AM and 5:00 PM Central Time. A minimum charge of $10.00 will be added to cover shipping. Items can be shipped UPS or USPS Priority Mail. Tennessee residents must include 9.75% sales tax. All items are 100% GUARANTEED. If for any reason you are unhappy with the relic just return it UNALTERED within 5 days for a refund minus shipping charges and restocking fee of 6%. Layaways can be arranged on items over $100. Layaway terms are; 1/3 down and 1/3 in 30 days with balance due in full in 60 days. Due to time factors there are no refunds or price discounts on layaways. Only 1 item may be in lay-a-way at a time unless approved by Shiloh Relics. We reserve the right to refuse service to rude people. We are always buying and trading so feel free to make an offer. Thanks for stopping by! Rafael Eledge, Owner of ShilohRelics.com.

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