This collection contains documents beginning with the American Revolution and continuing through the War of 1812, Mexican War, Civil War, World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. There are account books, notes and written letters, vouchers, inspections of camps, receipts of payments, honorable discharge certificates, lists of absentees, envelopes used during the Civil War, and lists of unpaid fines during the service of the Pennsylvania Militia soldiers. There are also newsletters and articles relating to World Wars I and II and the Korean War for advertisement and description of items including the history of the Philadelphia Naval Base.
Presentation sword and scabbard of Civil War officer and Lancaster native, Lieutenant Jacob Pontz (1838-1929). Sword has curving steel blade with ornate, pierced brass hilt. Sword blade is etched with scrolls and foliate decoration and silvered. Scabbard is brass with engraved inscription on one side: "Presented to First Leiut. (sic) JACOB PONTZ / Co. K. 77th Reg. PVVI / at Johnsonville Tenn. June 19, 1865". Scabbard fitted with two brass mounts with strap rings, a molded "cuff" at open end and sheath-like tip (a drag) at other end. Stamped at base of blade is "W CLAUBERG" and "SOLINGEN" with a standing knight.
Provenance
Passed from Jacob Pontz (1838-1929) through his daughter Nelle Audrey Pontz (1880 - 1975), who married Maylin Joseph Pickering (1880-1954), to their son Jack (John M. Pickering 1916-2014). Bequest of the John M. Pickering estate, as stipulated in his will.
Sword blade has areas of corrosion, some heavy. Blade has lost much of its silvering on etched decoration. Copper alloy finish on body of scabbard is heavily worn/lost. Some small dents. Cuff at scabbard's open end is loose with missing small nail or brad. Nail also missing on sheath at other end.
Both sword and scabbard were coated with oil (3-in-1), then wiped down with soft cloth.
Object ID
2015.031.1
Notes
See copies of Pontz records in file. Children of Jacob Pontz and Emma Palmer Pontz are:
1. Minnie Grace Pontz
2. Mary E. Pontz Byerly (1875-1950)
3. Nelle Audrey Pontz Pickering (1880-1975)
4. Ethel Maude Pontz McCown (1884-1947)
Swordmaker Wilhelm Clauberg began operations in 1854 in Solingen, Germany.
WRZ consulted with Steve Hench, long-time antiques dealer specializing in armaments, regarding condition. Since a treatment of the scabbard finish to restore original condition is not desired, he suggested minimal treatment by coating with a fine oil (3-in-1) on both sword and scabbard. Trying to remove blade corrosion would harm etched and silvered decoration. Performed 02/23/2016.
Place of Origin
Solingen, Germany
Credit
Gift of the Estate of John M. Pickering (1916-2014)
WW II Army Dress Shirt of Elmer Kenneth Rill (27 August 1919 - 19 October 2006); olive drab, long sleeve twill flannel of wool, size 42 1/2 - 33. Inside manufacturer's tag info includes: "June 1942". Plastic buttons; two breast pockets with flap.
At top of left sleeve is a round embroidered patch with red arrow & white stars on dark blue field (served in Western Pacific). A green triple chevron insignia (Sergeant) is on both upper sleeves.
Blue fabric tag stapled to back of shirt bottom, handwritten, "RILL / 39575 / x 22".
Provenance
Donor inherited from father, Elmer Rill, who, he states, never saw active combat; he was slated to be sent off to Japan, but the 2 bombs caused a quick end to war. His obituary states he "served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater as a Rifleman."
WW II Army hat of Elmer Kenneth Rill (27 August 1919 - 19 October 2006). Called a garrison cap, it has rectangular shape of khaki wool twill and is trimmed with blue-green piping.
Provenance
Donor inherited from father, Elmer Rill, who, he states, never saw active combat; he was slated to be sent off to Japan, but the 2 bombs caused a quick end to war. His obituary states he "served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater as a Rifleman."
WW II Army Hat of Elmer Kenneth Rill (27 August 1919 - 19 October 2006). Called a garrison cap, it has rectangular shape of khaki wool and is trimmed with blue piping. Reinforced with a 5/8" wide additional band of khaki wool along bottom edge of interior.
Provenance
Donor inherited from father, Elmer Rill, who, he states, never saw active combat; he was slated to be sent off to Japan, but the 2 bombs caused a quick end to war. His obituary states he "served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater as a Rifleman."
Photo of Elmer Rill is in the Photograph Collection.
WW II Army dress uniform jacket of Lancaster resident Elmer Kenneth Rill (27 August 1919 - 19 October 2006). Fitted, waist-length, olive-colored wool, with front flap breast pockets, buckles at sides of waist band with flap snap closure at front. Tag inside neck has size "38R".
At left breast are pinned medals. At top is a bar with raised rifle on blue field; below are 2 multicolored gros-grain ribbon bars. Pinned to left pocket flap is a metal badge w/ Maltese cross within a wreath with 2 hanging bars: "RIFLE" and "MACHINE GUN". The 2-ring bullseye on cross indicates "Expert" marksman. Upper left sleeve has round embroidered patch with red arrow and 2 cluster of stars on dark blue field (Western Pacific). A green triple chevron insignia (Sergeant) is on both upper sleeves and small service insignia on lower left sleeve is 2 gold bars on red field indicating service overseas. Rill served from 30 Nov 1944 to 12 April 1946.
Provenance
Donor inherited from father, Elmer Rill, who he states never saw active combat; he was slated to be sent off to Japan, but the 2 bombs caused a quick end to war. His obituary states he "served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater as a Rifleman."
Pair of WW II Army spats / gaiters / leggings. Tan canvas body with brown leather contoured vertical panel on one side, upper trim and foot straps. Each has one lacing cord used with brass hooks and eyelets. A large "3" is stencilled inside of each.
Provenance
Donor inherited from father, Elmer Rill, who, he states, never saw active combat; he was slated to be sent off to Japan, but the 2 bombs caused a quick end to war. His obituary states he "served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater as a Rifleman."
Some stains on canvas, significant wear on foot straps and the leather panels have moderate wear/soil and creasing. Lace on one (B) is shortened and knotted. Inside area against shoe has significant soiling.
Bronze medal awarded to Professor B. Kevinsky for meritorious service in the civil war. On face, scene of wounded or dying soldier, bordered by, "We Give Our Wealth for those who give their health for us" On reverse, "Great Central Fair for the US Sanitary Commission held at Philadelphia / June 1864"
Stored in leather covered case. See Journal minutes, February, 1925.
Civil War bayonet. Attached tag, "Bayonet belonged to John Conner, Co. F, 79th Regimen Pa. Inf. / Born Sept. 12, 1821 / died Oct. 26, 1890 / Wagonmaster under General Sherman."
