November 15 & 16, 2022 Extraordinary Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/15/2022
This pattern of cavalry officer’s saber was adopted in 1872 and was regulation for 30 years until the 1902 pattern officer’s sword was adopted for all branches of service. The blade is the correct, slightly curved single edged blade with false edge, that is lighter version of the 1860 pattern. This example features a single fuller and is devoid of decorations. The guard is the standard 3-branch cavalry guard, decorated with cast laurel leaves, and the interior of the counterguard is cast with an American eagle crouching and perched at the top of the interior clutching arrows and an olive branch, with a row of stars around the lower edge while the outside of the guard is decorated with a burst of sun rays radiating outward. The grip is wood, spiraled and wrapped with leather, with twisted brass wire neatly accommodated into the grooves. The brass hilt features a pommel cap with floral decoration and a US shield on its face with crossed sabers underneath. A bullion portepee adorns the knucklebow. The saber is complete with its steel scabbard which is nickeled and features brass mounts. The upper and middle mount are each decorated with laurel leaves, while the drag is adorned with radiating sun rays. The drag is marked "J. ARTHUR LIMERICK / BALTIMORE, MD." Brass throat is in place. CONDITION: The blade exhibits a dark gray patina with areas of spotting and pitting. The brass hilt has a nice mellow patina. Guard wobbles when handled. Areas of loss on the leather wrap with several chips to the wood grip. Scabbard retains most of its nickeling with obvious loss on half of one side. Overall good.
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