M1833 Dragoon Off. presented to Smith P. Bankhead - Preview
A Divided Family. Smith Payne Bankhead served the Confederacy while his father and brother were union. His brother was in charge of the Monitor when it sunk.
Manufactured: Springfield, Mass.
Maker: Ames, N.P. / Cutler
Year: 1843
Model: Model 1833 Dragoon Officer
Size: 31.4 inch blade
A Presentation M1833 Dragoon Officer Sword. The blade presentation Reads: Presented to Capt. Smith P. Bankhead / Second line very hard to read but appears to be 1843. The sword shows a lot of normal use. The guard retains very little traces of gilt - otherwise perfect. The grip is sharkskin with 98 % remaining. All original wire with some gilt. All etched designs are visible. The blade has never been sharpened. The Ames mark is equally hard to read but in proper light reads: N. P. Ames / Cutler / Springfield. The etching has floral urns, standing Tecumseh, stand of arms, American Eagle with E.PU ribbon and the presentation plaque. The scabbard is iron and iron mounted with split carry rings. Smith P. Bankhead served in the war with Mexico and was given his own artillery command at age 28 (1846) as a regular Army Officer. He was the son of General James Monroe Bankhead, USA and the nephew of General Magruder. Raised and educated in VA. His brother was John Payne Bankhead and was in command of the Monitor when she sunk in 1862. Smith P chose to serve the Confederacy and rose to the rank of General. He began the war from Tenn. in Scott's Lt. Art. and McCowen's Corps Artillery. At Shiloh he commanded the 10th Ala. Then from Texas, he served in Mann's Cavalry, Bradford's Regt. and as a Col. Bankhead's battalion of Artillery. As a major he served as chief of artillery for Polk's Corps.
Figure 01.01.08.1: Overview
Figure 01.01.08.2: Shark skin grip, Unmarked Dragoon guard
Figure 01.01.08.3: Presented to Capt. Smith P. Bankhead / Second line very hard to read but appears to be 1843.
Figure 01.01.08.4: Pommel with blade piened not a capstan nut
Figure 01.01.08.5: Tecumseh Engraving
Figure 01.01.08.6: Steel scabbard mounts
Figure 01.01.08.7: Steel scabbard mounts
Figure 01.01.08.8: American Eagle
Figure 01.01.08.9: Etching
Figure 01.01.08.10: Stand of arms
