Two American presentation swords, marking high points in two very different military careers, made their mark in recent sales.
At Bonhams in San Francisco on June 12, $8000 (£6615) was paid for a typically ornate sword by Tiffany presented to Delos Bennett Sacket, a Mexican War veteran who was appointed Inspector General of the Army of the Potomac in 1861.
This date, together with the names of the six friends who made the gift, were engraved on the gilt scabbard. The sword itself had a 2ft 10in (86cm) blade etched with floral and martial motifs and a gilt-bronze guard with a lion’s head terminal on the quillon and the pommel in the form of an antique helmet and breastplate.