December 10, 2019 Edged Weapon, Armor & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2019
A striking 1850 pattern staff and field officer's sword with gold washed blade, silver roped grip, and bright gilt hilt. Pommel with extra workmanship of eagle on globe with star border, serrated pommel cap edge. Deeply cast and chased floral motifs. Quillon terminates in curved neck eagle head with red stone eyes peering back at the hilt. Grips are contoured, slightly S-shaped, lengthwise roping, tarnished silver in color, some strands smooth, alternating with pairs having stippled surface. Obverse etched with stand of arms and flags with US shield, American eagle with motto ribbon in beak, rays of sunburst in background, all gold washed to highlight with details of eagle wings, flags, etc., bright etched. Reverse with Clauberg blade mark on ricasso, flags and drums at top, "U.S." in middle set of by floral elements and elaborate panoply of arms at bottom with arms, breastplate, helmet, flags, central column with eagle at top, stars and sunburst overhead, scrolling ribbon wraps column bearing motto: "ALWAYS READY." All with gold wash and drypoint etched details. Metal is smooth and bright. Browned steel scabbard with deeply cast and chased floral mounts, drag with heavy applied oakleaf spray. Throat with lower half of sunburst and rays. CONDITION: Excellent. Just some scattered small brown spotting coming up from underneath the brown on the lower half of the scabbard body, some very light grey shadowing near the tip of the blade, and thinning wash on the ricasso. This is an impressive sword with grips the color of age-tarnished silver that especially sets off the gilt finished hilt and would stand out in any collection. (SR). PROVENANCE: From the Collection of George M. Rapport.