DALLAS, TX.- A magnificent gilded Civil War Presentation Sword gifted to Lieut Col. Theodore B. Hamilton — a twice-wounded prisoner of war who bravely commanded New York’s 62nd Infantry in battles ranging from Antietam to Gettysburg — took top lot honors when it sold for $28,750 in Heritage Auctions’ $2.13+ million weekend of Civil War and Armor auctions in Dallas. The June 12-13 Civil War & Militaria Signature Auction and June 14 Arms & Armor Signature Auctions both saw sell through rates exceeding 90 percent and nearly 1,500 registered bidders.

“Material from Anderson’s Zouaves, also known as the 62nd New York Infantry, is highly sought after by collectors,” said Marsha Dixey, Manager of Historical Auctions at Heritage Auctions. “Hamilton’s presentation sword survived in wonderful condition and even the scabbard retained 90 percent of its original gilded surface. The sword notwithstanding, both auctions saw intense bidding from start to finish.”

The Civil War & Militaria Auction realized $1.31 million and offered several rare autographed letters from Confederate military elite. A twice-signed letter written by Confederate General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, lamenting his old friend Gen. Kenton Harper’s resignation from the Army to tend to his sick wife, sold for $20,000. A two-page letter by Robert E. Lee, written just three weeks before he would take control of the Army of Northern Virginia, sold for $17,500. A letter from Lee informing Harper of his commission as colonel in the Confederate Army sold for $10,625 and a letter by William Tecumseh Sherman, in which the military strategist foresees the beginning of the U.S. Civil War in 1860 “because Lincoln is elected,” sold for $10,000.

President Lincoln on the Battle-Field of Antietam, a rare 8-3/4-inch by 6-3/4-inch photograph by Alexander Gardner of President Abraham Lincoln meeting with Army of the Potomac commander, Gen. George B. McClellan Oct. 3, 1862, sold for $13,750. The spectacular albumen photograph was accompanied by a short description of Lincoln’s visit written in Gardner’s hand.

Among the auction’s battle and period mementos include a Henry .44 Caliber Repeating Rifle, Serial #5360, which sold for $18,750; a rare Civil War Confederate Keen, Walker & Co "Tilting Breech" Carbine, one of 282 ever made, sold for $13,750; and a Confederate Slouch Hat, once worn by a soldier who died at the battle of Sharpsburg in Maryland, sold for $11,850.

The June 14 Arms & Armor Auction realized $824,468 with two lots tying for top lot honors: An ornate Presentation 12 gauge Winchester Model 21 Sideplated Double Barrel Shotgun, beautifully cased and featuring intricate engraving my Angelo Bee, and an important and seldom seen Factory Engraved Colt Bisley Single Action Revolver, with 7 1/2-inch barrels and carved mother-of-pearl grips, both sold for $18,750 each.

An ornate gold-inlaid Krieghoff Neptun-Primus Drilling in 12 gauge and 30/06 calibers, made for the European Exposition once featured on the cover of the 1986 100th Anniversary Krieghoff Catalog cover, sold for $15,000.

A fantastic pair of Bohlin Parade Spurs and Gunbelt, circa 1980s and made with 37 silver Bohlin-made cartridges, sold for $15,000 from the Collection of Judson C. And Nancy Sue Ball, against a $4,000 estimate.