American Civil War Surgical Antiques

Research - Identification - Consultations

Civil War Era Surgical Kits, Surgeon's Swords & Images

Civil War Surgical & Medical Books

Established 1995

 

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Pre-1865: Surgery Sets, Medical Textbooks, Medical College Lecture Cards

The Private Collections of

Dr. Michael Echols

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Provided at No-Charge for Pre-1865 Surgery Sets, Instruments, Medical Textbooks

 

Lt. V. K. Spear's Sword

 The collection of  Paul R. Johnson, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Contact for Dr. Paul Johnson regarding swords and images

Foot officers sword inscribed to and carried by Lt. Vivian K. Spear, who served with the 38th Massachusetts Vols..  The sword is an 1862 dated example by AMES and bears the inspector's initials "J.H." (Joseph Hannis).   LT. Spear was seriously wounded in June, 1863 at the Battle of Port Hudson and is duly noted in the 38th's regimental history.  He was cared for by his regiment's surgical staff, including Assistant Surgeon George F. Thomson.

Spear's sword appears to have suffered whilst he was wounded, including some scabbard leather damage and a knock on the knuckle bow quillon which appears to have bent in downwards a bit.

 

Foot officers sword inscribed to and carried by Lt. Vivian K. Spear, who served with the 38th Massachusetts Vols..
CDV of Vivian K. Spear, Lt. 38th Mass. Vols. and signed this way on the back.  He is holding the VERY SAME sword which is displayed in this section.  This is obviously prior to his wounding, and there is no damage to the sword (or Lt. Spear!).  No photographer's backmark.
 
 CDV of Assistant Surgeon George F. Thomson and autographed:  "Geo. F. Thomson, Assistant Surgeon,  38th Regt. M.V..    "M.S." appears in his hat device.  Photographed by:  "J. H. Young's Photographic Gallery, 231 Baltimore St., Cor. of Charles."      Dr. Thomson cared for Lt. Spear and others wounded during the regiment's assault on Port Hudson, La., June, 1863.
 

CDV of Assistant Surgeon Edwin Ward, 38th Mass. and another doctor who treated V. K. Spear during his wounding at Port Hudson, La., 1863.   Autographed CDV by H. J. Reed, Worcester, Mass.  Dr. Ward is in civilian frock coat. 
Ames M 1850 Foot Officer's sword with hilt inscription:  "Lieut. V. K. Spear,  Co. E., 38th Mass. Vols."
 
 
Hilt of Lt. Spear's sword by Ames, with "J. H." indicating inspector John Hannis, who was working at Ames Manufacturing Co. as Government inspector.
Lt. Spear's Foot Officer's sword with 1862 date on blade.  Sword manufactured by Ames.  Note the bent down quillon of the knuckle guard, presumably occuring during Lt. Spears traumatic wounding at Port Hudson, La., in 1863.
Close up view of the Ames Manufacturing Co., Chicopee, Mass.  makings stamped upon the upper scabbard brass throat fitting.  Similar etched markings are noted on the blade

 

 

 

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American Civil War Surgical Antiques 

Research notes and a private collection

 Pre-1865 Civilian & Civil War Military Surgical Antiques

This site contains the personal notes and collection of private collector Michael Echols.  Dr. Echols is not a dealer and nothing on this site is for sale.   All content 'by Dr. Echols' and all photography on this Web Site is copyrighted 1995 - 2008 and may not be used on any other web site or in print without the expressed e-mail permission from Dr. Echols:  Contact   All rights reserved.  Information gladly provided to dealers, authors, magazines, archivists, museums, and researchers.  Please reference and link this website to any on-line or printed use.

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Site last updated: Friday, May 09, 2008