CIVIL WAR TIFFANY GENERAL’S PRESENTATION GRADE SWORD WITH “NASHVILLE” BATTLE HONOR ON THE BLADE.

inv# 02-15045

Overall length: 41″.
Blade length: 32″.

The blade is etched over 2/3 of its length w/ military & foliate motifs as well as a battle scene & the word, “Nashville” in a central panel. There are gold highlights throughout all of the etching. The single fullered blade is marked at the ricasso, “W. CLAUBERG (knight) SOLINGEN”. The artistically executed cruciform hilt has pineapple/pinecone finials on the ends of the guard. The top of the guard has a quatrefoil & a fleur de lis motif. The pommel is circular in form & is topped by another pineapple/pinecone finial. A chain guard extends from one branch of the guard to the circular pommel. The vertically reeded grip is executed in solid silver. The gold plated brass scabbard is engraved w/ foliate motifs & an American eagle sitting atop a federal shield.

This exact sword is pictured in the Tiffany & Company of New York catalog titled, “Presentation Swords” that has been vividly & accurately reproduced in John Thillmann’s book titled, “Civil War Cavalry & Artillery Sabers”. The title of the page that this sword is illustrated on is “Straight Swords for Generals”. To our knowledge this is the only example of this exceptionally rare Tiffany sword to ever come to market. Given the extremely rare “Nashville” battle honor on the blade, it was likely given to one of the commanding Union generals present during the Battle of Nashville on December 15-16, 1864. An exceptional rarity for the United States sword collector, Nashville collector, Tiffany collector or anyone who appreciates fine American military rarities.