Specializing in Authentic Civil War Artifacts
  • 30th United States Colored Infantry - Mine Explosion Petersburg - “Presented to Capt. Wm. H. Jordan by the members of the Baltimore Military School as a token of respect, as a Military Teacher”

    $4,250.00
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    “Presented to Capt. Wm. H. Jordan by the members of the Baltimore Military School as a token of respect, as a Military Teacher” - Inventory Number:  SWO 287

    Jordan led a company of the 30th US colored infantry at Petersburg and would have been a teacher while John Wilkes Booth attended his school! - Great History!

    Presentation grade Model 1850 Foot Officer's Sword with great presentation and patina - The sword features a slightly curved blade with small fuller just below the spine and wider center fuller that is halted by the ricasso. The blade is devoid of maker markings but is nicely decorated with etched motifs for more than half of its length. On the obverse, the etchings form just above the ricasso, beginning with foliate scrolls which travel toward a stand of arms, spread winged federal eagle, and patriotic banner, ending with more foliate scrolls contained in a column that terminates with sun rays. The reverse features similar motifs with a stand of arms above the scrolled letters "US" at the center of the blade. The brass guard features neat open work foliate and floral scrolls, terminating with a leafy quillon. Knucklebow is rather plain and connects to the pommel which is decorated with laurel leaves that flank a patriotic shield and lead to a tiered cap with nice stippling. The grip is of wood, wrapped with high quality sharkskin, and grooved to accommodate double twisted brass wire. The sword is complete with its brass mounted leather scabbard. The upper and middle mount each feature a single band which accommodates a carry ring. Middle mount and drag are simply line engraved, while the upper mount features nicely engraved scroll designs and stippling. The sword is nicely inscribed on the upper mount, "Presented to / Capt. Wm. H. Jordan / By the Members of the / Baltimore Military School / as a token of respect as a Military Teacher." contained in a shield. The Baltimore Military School is believed to have been the Catonsville Military Institute, formerly St. Timothy's Hall. 

    Saint Timothy’s Hall and possibly Professor Jordan would host John Wilkes Booth as a student.

    The Baltimore Sun reported: “No one likes being associated with Booth, but here we are. Not only is Green Mount Cemetery his final resting place, but Booth spent a brief but “transformative” time as a student at St. Timothy’s Hall preparatory school in Catonsville.”

    “John didn’t hear anything at the school that didn’t confirm his thoughts about slavery,” professor of history Terry Alford told the Sun. “That was a thoroughly Southern school.”

    A wonderful presentation sword coupled with ties to John Wilkes Booth’s academy and United States Colored Troops in the Crater at the Battle of Petersburg!

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    Inventory Number:  SWO 287