November 17, 2020 Early Arms & Militaria: Age of Exploration, Empire & Revolution
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/17/2020
Overall length: 32-3/8"; the curved blade with single, wide fuller is 27" long by 1-3/16" wide at the ricasso, decorated with bluing and gilding and etched with simple floral and martial decorations including a scroll on the right or obverse face bearing the maker's name, "W. H. Horstmann & Sons / Phladelphia." The brass-mounted hilt consisting of a reverse-P guard with half-langets and a backstrap terminating in an eagle-head pommel; the wooden grips with wrapped with leather and finished with 2-strand, twisted brass in the grooves. The original, leather scabbard with brass mounts consisting of throat with frog button and drag. Frederick W. Widmann of Philadelphia was the sole contractor for these "Marine Sergeant's swords" from 1832 until the mid-1840s, after which William H. Horstmann & Sons succeeded as the contractor--they having purchased Widmann's dies and machinery. The Model 1832 sergeant's sword (actually a short saber) continued in use with the Marine Corps until a new pattern (adopted in 1859) succeeded it. CONDITION: Complete and in near-fine condition, the blade retaining nearly all of its original bluing and gilding, while the scabbard leather is still supple. JLK
CORRECTION: RARE U.S. MARINE CORPS M1832 MUSICIANS' SWORD AND SCABBARD. The all-brass hilt consisting of a reverse-P guard with half-langets and a backstrap terminating in an eagle-head pommel; with cast-brass, smooth grip.
Item Dimensions: 32 - 1/4"