December 15, 2020 Edged Weapons, Armor & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/15/2020
Derived from the 1860 Staff sword, this pattern became regulation for almost all foot officers in 1872. Most postdate the Civil War, but Harold Peterson’s terminology has stuck. A. & A. Schnitzler seems to have been an offshoot of Schnitzler and Kirschbaum, who supplied many swords to the US market, including the first 1840 enlisted cavalry sabers, but were out of business by the end of the Civil War. Here the quality of the work and folding reverse counterguard, however, suggest a date not long after. Some sources give 1875 as the termination of the A & A Schnitzler firm. This is in standard configuration: thin, straight double-edged blade, arris shaped. The brass hilt is deeply cast and chased. The pommel is lantern shaped, with US eagle on one face. U.S. eagle with shield superimposed on flags on the obverse guard. Folding guard with U.S. shield on crossed arms with wreath on stippled ground. The blade etching is very visible against thin frosting and includes floral scrolls mixed with panoplies of arms, flags and shields, a spread-winged U.S. eagle on one side and “U.S.” on the other. The gray sharkskin grip and wire are very good. The scabbard is nickel plated and in good condition, muted silver with little freckling. Brass floral mounts include throat, double upper ring, middle ring, and shoe drag with draped U.S. flags and spears. Red blade pad is present. CONDITION: Very good. Just slight wear to raised detail and minor stains to blade. SR
Item Dimensions: 38"