Sauerbier Non-Regulation British "Rifle Officers" Sword Presented to Major (General) Douglas Frazar 13th NY Volunteer Cavalry, later of the 104th USCT - The Man Who Caught Mosby and Let Him Go!
American Civil War
31.75" slightly curved single-edged spear point blade, 37.125" in overall length. 5.5" hilt with gilt brass "French" embellished guard featuring a drooped-wing eagle. Grooved pewter grip with fourteen wraps of multi-strand wire. Pommel with a large Masonic G on its face and green cameo style pommel cap carved with foliate designs and surrounded by tiny green stones. Four holes in the cameo piece suggest a contrasting overlay piece is missing. Reverse ricasso etched in three lines: H. Sauerbier/NEWARK/N.J. Blade deeply etched with flowing foliate scrolls as well as patriotic and martial themes. Steel scabbard with deeply chiseled gilt brass mounts and acid etched patterns on the obverse including foliate scrolls, the Shield of Columbia, a Spread-Winged Eagle and a ribbon that reads E Pluribus Unum. The reverse of the scabbard is engraved between the upper and middle mounts: Presented to/Major Douglas Frazar/By the Officers of the 13th Regt N.Y.Vo.Cav. The sword is accompanied by a studio CDV of Frazar with this sword and scabbard and a large binder of research and information about him. The binder includes an old tag noting that it was de-accessioned from the Duxbury, MA historical society.

Douglas Frazar (1836-1896) was born in Duxbury, MA and was 28 years old when he joined the 13th New York Volunteer Cavalry as a major on August 3, 1863. The regiment spent most of its service in the Northern Virginia region scouting, patrolling and countering Confederate cavalry and guerrillas in the area. In particular they were often in pursuit of the "Grey Ghost", Confederate cavalry commander John Singleton Mosby. On December 21, 1864 Frazar and a patrol was leading surrounded a house near Middleburg where Mosby and some of his men were eating. The US cavalrymen entered the house and exchanged gunshots with the men inside. During the firing Mosby was severely wounded in the stomach but managed to remove himself to a bedroom, hide his uniform coat and pretend to be a dying man. Frazar and his command ignored the possibility that it was Mosby and left him there. At least one report noted that Frazar was certainly derelict in his duty by not searching the wounded man, questioning him or detaining him. It was further noted that "...Major Frazar was too much under the influence of liquor to perform his duty at that time in the proper manner." Despite his less than sterling performance in this matter, Frazar was mustered out of the 13th NY on June 15, 1865 for promotion to colonel and given command of the 104th US Colored Troops. On June 22, 1867 he was granted the rank of Brevet Brigadier General of US Volunteers, back dated to March 13, 1865 for his "faithful services".
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
From the Collection of George Oldenbourg

Very good. Blade with much of the deep etching intact and fully visible with some frost still present. Tip slightly blunted. Grip moderately tarnished, Guard with traces of gilt with the counterguard bent. Scabbard moderately oxidized showing areas of staining and discoloration with the etching mostly visible. Mounts with minute traces of gilt in the recesses. Scabbard with some scattered dings and dents.