December 10, 2019 Edged Weapon, Armor & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2019
Lot consists of four American eagle pommel swords typical of those carried by militia officers in the 1830s and 1840s. All four are straight bladed, spadroon style with brass hilts and single downturned obverse counterguards with cast designs. (A) Figural knuckle guard with Arms of the US eagle on counterguard. Ribbed bone grip, rectangular with rounded edges. Blade etched for 11" with floral scrolls and crossed banners. Drypoint etched "WWH&S" on one side and "Philadelphia" on the other for Horstmann. Scabbard has geometric and floral engraving above and below sling rings. Scabbard has frog stud as well. CONDITION: Very good. Clean blade with visible etching. Hilt and scabbard show some silver wash, indicating intended use by infantry officer. (B) Floral knuckle guard, double curved. Checkered bone grip slabs Back strap and under band delicately cast and chased with floral designs as is the ferrule. Arms of the US with wreath on counterguard. Blue and gilt blade. Three small floral designs and one small panoply of arms on either side are gold washed. Scabbard is plain, dark brass, with two rings and stud. CONDITION: Excellent. Blade is bright with vivid blue and gilt. Small grey spot on scrolling terminus of blue on the obverse. Some slight brown coming up from underneath on either side at ricasso. (C) Ribbed bone grip. Counterguard cast with Roman cuirass and trumpet. Blade bright etched with trophy of arms and flags on either side for 9". Obverse with "WHH&S" in scroll. Reverse with "Philadelphia." Back edge etched with flowering vine. CONDITION: Brass hilt is dark. Slight lateral bow to knuckle guard. Small very minor chips to upper edge of grip at pommel on obverse. Etching very visible. Some small grey spotting toward tip. Scabbard is fair. Leather shows scuffs. Mounts dark, but upper mount with ring and stud shows traces of silver wash. (D) White bone grip. Reverse P guard with plain knuckle guard. Indian princess, globe, anchor, horn of plenty, eagle, US flags and other elements are crowded onto the counterguard. Blade is blued for 12" with floral scroll terminus. Three gilt washed drypoint etched motifs on either side; two floral and one trophy of arms. Scabbard with two upper rings and stud at throat with single ring on middle mount. Obverse engraved US at throat, impressive eagle with E Pluribus Unum ribbon and tall raised wings between the mounts. Leaf and scrolling vine design from lower mount to drag. CONDITION: Some dark grey areas to upper blade, but no freckling or pitting. Nicely worked detail to backstrap, under band and ferrule of grip. Scabbard is very good with 90% gold wash on obverse and 80 percent on reverse, with most rubbing at throat. The eagle on the scabbard is particularly impressive.
Blade Length
(A) 30 - 3/4" (B) 30 - 1/2" (C) 28 - 1/4" (D) 27 - 7/8"
Overall Length
(A) 35 - 7/8" (B) 35 - 1/4" (C) 33 - 1/4" (D) 32 - 7/8"