December 10, 2019 Edged Weapon, Armor & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2019
Lot consists of: one US Navy regulation Ames 1860 pattern cutlass with scabbard and frog and two prewar militia swords by Horstmann. (A) 1860 pattern cutlass stamped "U.S.N. / D.R. / 1862" with small anchor above and large "P" at left, on the obverse ricasso. Left ricasso has Ames address in a scroll. CONDITION: Hilt has aged patina, no dents to the cup guard. Grip leather and twisted brass wire comlete and in place. Wire may have been replaced by a collector. It stands up somewhat in the grooves and is usually not present, having been removed to avoid cleaning in the service. Leather washer in place. Obverse ricasso marks are crisp. Ames address is light, but legible. Blade is smooth metal, light steel grey, with good edge and point. Minor grey spots along bottom edge toward point and on obverse blade flat near point also. A few small grey spots on back edge near guard. Scabbard is excellent. No bends or breaks. Minor scuffs and drag lines. Frog is buff leather and excellent. (B) A characteristically Philadelphia brass hilt sword by Horstman. Hilt has a reverse P guard and is loosely modeled on the French briquet. Brass is plain with just a simple groove denoting the pommel cap and the edge of a grip on the obverse. "W.H. Horstmann & Sons Philadelphia" etched in panel above ricasso on obverse. Weyersberg king's head blade stamp on reverse under the short langet. Blade form and etching are in the style of an 1850 pattern foot officer's sword. Obverse etching includes two panoplies of arms and flags with sections of floral scrolls, along with an American eagle with upraised wings and an "E Pluribus Unum" ribbon overhead. Reverse has floral scrolls overall with a central, large "US." The lowest portion has an impressive trophy of arms with US stars and stripes pennon floating around its pole. Scabbard is sharkskin with short brass drag and upper mount with oval stud. CONDITION: Very good. Hilt is medium to bright. Ricasso is dark. Blade etching is visible and legible though not frosted and mixed with some grey. Good edge and point. Scabbard is excellent. Made without a separate throat. (C) Knight's head pommel with round columned bone grip. Flat, flared crossguard with Maltese cross style quillons. Brass has a medium, mellow tone, and is deeply cast with central flower petal on the quillon block and interior raised lines on the quillon flats. Washer is in place. Etching includes drypoint etched Horstmann firm name over a palmette with floral scrolls and a cursory display of arms above. Opposite side had "Philadelphia" drypoint etched over a palmette with an Indian princess head above, two sections of floral scrolls with crossed arrows secured by a knot in between. Weyersberg king's head blade mark at bottom. Scabbard is black leather with brass drag and throat with frog stud. CONDITION: Very good. Etching is somewhat light with only very thin frosting, but motifs are visible and readily legible. Metal overall is bright with good edge and point. A few inconsequential dark spots. Scabbard is very good. Upper mount is loose. Often termed a militia officer's sword, this pattern is also seen worn by early Civil War non-commissioned officers in the militia and volunteers.
Blade Length
(A) 26" (B) 32 - 1/2" (C) 25 - 5/8"
Overall Length
(A) 32" (B) 37 - 1/8" (C) 31 - 3/4"