March 1-2, 2018 Firearms, Militaria & Sporting
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/1/2018
This is an early and high quality American Civil War presentation grade officer's saber. This sword is of the type sold by Schuyler Hartley & Graham to wealthy clients and officers at the beginning of the war. The sword features a slightly curved steel blade with large single fuller and smaller partial fuller on each side. Both sides feature a 14 inch etched panel with gilt highlights. The right side shows detailed scrolls, arms motifs, and a splayed American eagle holding an "E. PLURIBUS UNUM" banner, the opposite side etched with a large "US" and stands of arms with American flags, in great detail. Spine gilt decorated and etched with acanthus leaf patterns and marked "IRON PROOF". Gilt brass hilt with pierced guard featuring a "US" surrounded by relief oak leaves and acorns, eagle head quillon. The pommel features a chased eagle in high relief and a large garnet on top surrounded by 20 smaller garnets. Solid silver grip is fluted and every other flute is decorated with chased repeating acanthus leaves. Nickel-plated steel scabbard with high relief sculptural mounts, the top mount depicts an American eagle with spread wings. Serpent ring mounts. The center mount has shields on both sides of a panoply of arms, and the drag depicts a high relief soldier leaning on a musket with flags in the background, the details show sergeant stripes on the uniform. Complete with period gilt sword knot. Excellent condition, overall. Blade retains most of original polish with some darker areas on etched panels and some wear to gilt, edge with a few minor marks. Hilt retains 80-90% gilt finish with some high edge wear and a few light scattered marks, one small garnet chipped and one replaced. Grip excellent with darker patina in protected areas. Scabbard excellent retaining all of bright nickel finish with some light scratches, mounts retain almost all of gilt finish, a few darker areas. This is a monumental and attractive Staff & Field officer's saber, probably one of the most attractive examples known.