December 10, 2019 Edged Weapon, Armor & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2019
A seldom offered opportunity to acquire an outstanding sword. This sword follows the general configuration of an 1850 Staff and Field but with embellishments that put it in a class by itself. The gold washed and gilt brass hilt is deeply cast and expertly chased to emphasize details of the decorative elements. The pommel cap has a large bezel set red semi-precious stone in a border of stippled leaves. The underside of the cap bears engraved floral motifs and a separate band that may be applied. A silver backstrap and bottom strap on the grip bears overlapping scales that are mirrored in the superb mother of pearl grips, in which each scale is fitted with a gilt star appearing to fix it to the hilt. The ferrule is cast with geometric and floral elements. The knuckleguard is deeply cast with entwining vines and branches and a central four-sided "lantern" with red stone lenses or eyes, which are mirrored in the red stone eyes of the eagle head quillion atop the counterguard. The bottom of the knuckleguard ends in a leaf clasping five narrow branches descending from four open circles on the base of the counterguard. The counterguard is cast with openwork work floral motifs and a large "U.S." in Old English. There is a short, openwork folding inner guard. The underside of hilt has a flat rectangular panel from which an umbrella scabbard cap descends, worked with sections of feather textured channeled shells separated by talons and claws. The blade pad is in place. The reverse ricasso has the Clauberg trademark knight and firm name. A stand of arms, foliate scrolls and American eagle with curling drypoint etched E Pluribus Unum ribbon are etched in a gilt washed panel twelve inches long terminating in an Arabesque point. On the obverse the ricasso is blank. The etching moves from a stand of arms and foliate scroll to a blade motto reading "Union for ever" with flourishes and foliate scrolls, ending with a "US" in a floral scroll. All with gilt wash background. Scabbard is bright with deeply cast open work middle mounts, decorated on both sides, throat with floral lower edge and drag with geometric and floral motifs on both sides. The ring bands are scaled, reflecting the sword grip. The rings are roped. Between the ring mounts is a rope border oval that could hold a presentation silver plaque. CONDITION: Excellent. The blade shows some rubbing to the gilt wash on either ricasso, and a very slight rub at the tip of the lower martial stand of arms and upper tip of the arabesque finial of the etched panel on the reverse. Both are small and on the high lower edge of the fuller. Very small dark spot on blade tip obverse. Very narrow hairlines on three of the contoured branches descending from the counterguard where they join the knuckleguard. Only one comes through to the inside. All are stable. Gold wash and gilt of the hilt are bright. Underlying brass where exposed matches in polish. Scabbard and mounts bright, with no loss of detail. All in all a superb sword worthy of the best collection. (SR)