June 12-13, 2019 Edged Weapon, Armor, & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/12/2019
This sword was presented to Alfred Abeel by the members of his unit during the Civil War. Originally from New York, Abeel traveled to Pennsylvania and Colorado in search of mining interests and ultimately resided in Michigan. During the Civil War, Abeel raised the Fourth Cavalry in Michigan and was the Captain of Company H, with whom he served until 1863 when he was wounded at Chickamauga. After the war he moved to Waco, Texas, where he lived the rest of his life as an ice manufacturer. His home is still considered a Waco landmark for its unique design and is referred to today as the Cottonland Castle. This highly decorated officer's presentation sword features an imported steel blade with large shallow fuller and deep narrow partial fuller on each side. The right side features a 23" etched panel with an American flag, arms motifs, a scene of five mounted cavalry soldiers and motifs of instruments. The opposite side shows five cavalry men charging on horseback as well as a large U.S. separated by a patriotic eagle standing on a shield. The gilt cast brass hilt features a pierced guard and counterguard with detailed chased foliate scrolls with flowers on a stippled ground. The guard features a large American eagle in the center standing with talons on a shield surrounded by wreaths and flags. The grip spine shows a mask of Medusa surrounded by serpents in high relief. The capstan is a knight's helmet with pierced mask and a plume on top. The wooden grip is wrapped with sharkskin and decorated with twisted brass wire. The sword is complete with its original steel scabbard with brass throat and brass ring retaining mounts. Mounts are engraved, the top with a large "U.S." The back of the top mount is inscribed "Presented/ To/ Capt. A. Abeel/ by the non comm-d Officers/ & Privates/ of Co. H 4th Mich. Cavly." CONDITION: Good. Blade retains a light grey patina with polished portion of the blade still retaining much of original polish on right side and a bit duller on left side. Etched panels have some scattered grey freckling. The hilt has a crack at the bottom of the guard where the knucklebow begins but is otherwise excellent showing no wear to chased designs and retaining traces of gilt finish in protected areas. The shagrin wrap has separated and there is about a 1/4" gap in the seam. Scabbard is very good showing a light grey spotted patina and the brass mounts retain an unpolished patina matching that of the hilt. This sword is featured on page 263 of John H. Thillmann's "Civil War Cavalry and Artillery Sabers".