Pre WWI 23rd N.G.N.Y. Officers Presentation Sword, Medals & More.

Description

This 23rd New York Infantry Regiment grouping belonged to Lieutenant George Matthew Stoll, of Company K. I have not found a great deal on Stoll other than what this material tells me, and some information pulled from the web.  Stoll made his home in Montclair, New Jersey, and retired as vice president of the Chase- Manhattan Bank. He was a graduate of Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. He passed away at the age of 84 in 1964.

A brief article in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, dated Jan. 4, 1917, mentioned the 23rd was returning home from Houston, having just been paid off, presumably having taken part in maneuvers  on the Mexican Border; Stoll was mentioned in the article as being one of the officers present.  He may have seen service in WWI and WWII (he was found on Fold 3 listed in the list of “Old Man Draft Cards”- 4th Registration of men 45 years of age and older.

This grouping consists of the following:

• Presentation grade Model 1902 Army officer’s sword, sold by Ridabock & Co., New York, N.Y.  The finely etched- gold washed blade bears his name and rank on the left side, “Lieut. George Matthew Stoll,” and “U.S.” on the other. Condition of the blade is nearly like new. The three branch guard is embellished with acanthus leaves on the outside, rays extending out from beneath the leather washer.  The upper section of guard branches is the same; a ring of stars and a spread-winged American eagle surrounded the grip. More acanthus leaves wreath with federal shield in on the upper section of the back strap, below the pommel. A 1902 patter dress sword not in excellent condition is attached.  The grip is the early style horn pattern.  A elaborate silver plated double ring mounting is quite ornate with floral patterns and with another spread-winged eagle repeated on both sides. The drag has similar characteristics. The silver plated scabbard has an engraved presentation reads, “Presented to / Lieut. George Matthew Stoll /by Co. K, 23rd Regt. Inf. N.G.N.Y.” The sword is in choice condition.
• Full dress sword belt, company grade, from Ridabock, with a two piece buckle in gilt, with applied silver “23.” It also retains the original single snap sword hangers with swivel snaps. Bullion on belt shows age toning and some loose stitching in a few places, also wear to leather, overall in very good condition.
• A full dress officer’s Baldric, with similar bullion tape over leather. Gilt brass fittings retaining most of the original finish. The baldric pouch bears the regimental plate for the 23rd Regt. with the motto, “VIGILANTIA / N.G.N.Y.”
• Pair of dress uniform shoulder knots with regimental buttons, and applied bullion captain’s rank. Tie down strings still present for attaching to the uniform.
• Plume with gilt fittings, for shako. (Uniform, shako, etc. are not with this lot, and whereabouts unknown.)
• TIFFANY & CO. boxed 15 Year Long & Faithful Service Medal, bronze and 18K gold embellishments, No. 2203 (same number on box), Red silk neck ribbon and gold. A small box in the main box hold another buckle, that may have come from the 10 year Service Medal). Accompanied by the printed color certificate from TIFFANY, numbered to his medal, signed by the adjutant general. (some tears along top edges and elsewhere, old tap repair on back.
• TIFFANY & CO,, bronze medal No. 4291.  Comes with the miniature, neither has the ribbon.
• 23rd Regiment members medal, No. 877. Made in bronze, with different shade of bronze for attached ribbon that reads, “FIDELIS ET CONSTANS.” B&W ribbon is fine.
• Boxed (no lid), bronze Mexican Border Service Medal, presented by the citizens of Brooklyn.
• Gilt brass fob “U.S. ARMY ON MEXICAN BORDER SERVICE,: reverse reads, “Cause of Service / COLUMBUS RAID March 9th 1916. BURNING OF TOWN AND KILLING 21 CITIZENS.”
• Bronze finish service dress cap insignia, Seal of New York.
• Bronze, SMALL ARMS PRACTICE / ARMORY brooch; SHARPSHOOTER ladder, for 23rd Regiment.
• TIFFANY & CO. bronze MARKSMAN / SHARPSHOOTER, Small Arms qualification badge, 10 year ladder.
• Bronze 5 ladder “100 Percent Medal,” 1903-1907 attendance badge.
• Bronze 4 ladder badge being similar to above, “FINE” (the rest of the ladders “ONE”), with knapsack “23.” The last four items were mounted on to a shooting card made to Stoll.
• Small brass enameled pin for 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division.
• Early bronze finish MARKSMAN badge, “T” bar pin, unmarked, but made at Rock Island Arsenal (National Guard wore bronze, regular army wore silver).
• Sterling marked “5 Year” 23rd Regt. marksman’s collar insignia.
• Photograph of military camp on the Hudson River, “Camp Smith at Peekskill, NY, 1911. 8.5 x 22 overall size. Mounted badly damaged but cropping the image close would look fine reframed.

Most of the medals and badges are in fine condition and better unless otherwise stated.

A Nice grouping for this New York state officer.