Page 48 - joa-november-23

by John Sexton

Q: Hi John – I found your email on the International Society of Appraisers’
website and am seeking your help. My husband inherited this Civil War
sword belonging to James Pike, who we believed was one (or was a relative
of one) of the Minute Men during the Revolutionary War. We were hoping
you may be able to help us determine its value. – Many thanks!

JS: Your sword is a popular Civil War pattern that is a little fancier than
the standard model 1850 staff and field officer’s sword with a silver grip
instead of shark skin, and decorative quillon in the shape of an eagle
head. While it is hard to discern in these photographs, the blade is
etched with patriotic motifs.
There are only two manufacturers I am aware of which used the
eagle head quillon – Emerson & Silver of Trenton, New Jersey, and
Clauberg of Solingen, Germany. A maker’s mark on the blade would
identify one of these two manufacturers, although it could be
agent-marked without the maker’s name. A similar pattern in average
complete condition in the current market with no history most
commonly sells for $1,500-$1,800.

Society of Sons of the American Revolution
membership for the ancestor of Capt. Robert Pike (born 1748), 14th Virginia
Regiment, who took part in the Battle of Saratoga.

the war, including the Siege of Port Hudson until its surrender in
July of 1863.
Deluxe U.S. model 1850 Staff & Field sword, The 16th NH along with Lieutenant Colonel Pike returned back to
ilver grip, eagle head quillon, steel lacquered Concord New Hampshire and then mustered out again on August
scabbard body, engraved brass scabbard mounts. 20th, 1863. Though only a nine-month assignment, the regiment
suffered losses of 221 of its men including 5 officers, most of whom
died of disease in the swamps of Louisiana. After the Civil War, James
Pike returned to the ministry until his retirement in 1895, with a brief
unsuccessful run for governor of New Hampshire in 1871.

The Revolutionary Relative
You are right that James Pike was
related to several Revolutionary War
officers based on family memberships in
The handle of Pike’s sword. Inscription on the scabbard. the Society of Sons of the American
Revolution and DAR memberships
The James Pike Connection found online. In fact, there was a
James Pike listed as “a man of much
The inscription adds value – James Pike has an interesting history importance during the troublesome
stemming from a long line of American patriots that date back to the Revolutionary times. He was at the
American Revolution. Pike was well-known in New Hampshire and battle of Bunker Hill and the alarm at
finished his term in the U.S. House of Representatives just before the Concord and Lexington” as found at
Civil War began. He previously had been a Methodist minister having ancestry.com and within the town
graduated from Wesleyan College with a degree in theology. He served records for Haverhill, Massachusetts.
as a minister from 1841 to 1854. He moved to Pembroke, New Your sword, with the added history of
Hampshire, in 1854. Pike was elected as an American Party candidate James Pike being a U.S. Representative
to the Thirty-fourth Congress and reelected as a Republican to the Official photo of Congressman from New Hampshire and serving during
Thirty-fifth Congress and served from March 4, 1855, to March 3, James Pike c. 1855. Pike the American Civil War in the swamps of
1859. He was not a candidate for renomination in 1858. introduced the Methodist Louisiana, will double the value of the
Pike enlisted in October 1862 and was commissioned Lieutenant religion to New Hampshire sword. Presale auction estimate would be
Colonel of the 16th New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry on November upon receiving a degree in $3,000-$4,000, and could bring more,
12, 1862, which is the date the sword was presented to him by his Theology from Wesleyan College but the American Civil War sword
friends. During the Civil War, his unit sailed to New Orleans in and went on to serve during market has been in decline since the peak
the Civil War for which he
December and took part in military operations in that theater of
was presented with this sword. in 1990-2005.
John Sexton is an independent appraiser and expert on Civil War memorabilia. He is an accredited member of various appraiser
organizations. He can be contacted at 770-329-4984. If you have a Civil War item for him to appraise, email a photo and a
description to him at: jsextonatlcom.ne@mindspring.com.

46 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles