GUN FALL 2016
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
IVORY - HIGH GRADE CARVED IVORY STATUARY GRIP CIVIL WAR STAFF OFFICERS SWORD WITH DAMASCUS BLADE.Beautiful Civil War non-regulation presentation grade Staff & Field Officer's sword with intricately relief carved full standing ivory Lady Liberty. Carved ivory sword handles during the Civil War are the rarest and most expensive (war time) and sought after of all other materials and this is a beautiful example with intricate chased hilt design of an eagle attacking a rattlesnake among intertwined letters "US" and full relief Lady Liberty head peering from the pommel. This sword is no doubt a product of Clauberg though blade has agent marking of "HORSTMANN & SONS / PHILADELPHIA". The blade was rarely seen full Damascus with gold background, etched patriotic panels and 6-1/2" panel reading "BE JUST AND FEAR NOT". SIZE: PROVENANCE: Ex-Richard Johnson Collection, Chicago; Pictured on pg 337 of "Civil War Army Swords" by John H. Thillmann, 2008. CONDITION: Fine overall. "Certifiable antique elephant ivory" grip is sound, well fit with good patina. Hilt and pommel retain 80-90% orig gold. Raised relief scabbard mounts retain similar amounts of gold plate, though thinning. German silver scabbard body is sound with a few shallow dents and scratches and remnants of an old varnish. The 32-1/2" full Damascus blade is quite fine with light staining, retaining 90%+ orig gold backgrounds, though thinning. Etched panels retain most of their bright luster with light staining. You won't find any Civil War swords much "flashier" than this. 50627-4 JS (8,000-12,000) IVORY -