December 10, 2019 Edged Weapon, Armor & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2019
Lot consists of: an eagle head saber and small dirk bearing an etched American eagle, both with scabbards. (A) This pattern of saber has been identified as that carried by US Marine NCOs about 1830, made by Widmann and then by Horstmann. This one is Horstmann marked on the underside of the guard. CONDITION: Mellow tone to the gilt pommel, backstrap and guard. Leather grip, binding wire in place. Two or three small wear spots to the leather from palm and finger wear. Subdued blue on either side, slight rubbing upper portion on reverse. Motifs drypoint etched and gold washed. Reverse with two foliate sections, one of crossed cannons with flag and vines. Obverse with arms at bottom and middle, foliate above. Blue terminates with scrolling foliate flame points. Good edge and point. Upper blade grey with dark grey spots. Partial gilt border lines to blue panels. "Warranted" in script above obverse ricasso. Black scabbard good. Minor rubbing. Long drag. No middle mount or sign of one. Upper mount with one ring and stud for frog or crossbelt. Rubbing to blue along back edge of blade. (B) Short midshipman style dirk. Bone hilt. Brass scabbard with two rings. Blade is strongly oval in cross section. Etching includes foliate and arms on one side and foliate with an American eagle with shield on breast and ribbon over head on the other. CONDITION: Scabbard shows rubbing to gilt overall with traces on upper top edge and throat. Bone grip is good, but missing a pommel leaving blade tang and square washer exposed. Guard cast with foliate elements on top, plain on bottom. Blade shows partial blue from rubbing. Dry point etching is good. Gilt is good on lower sections on both sides and in upper section with American eagle. A nice pair of weapons with early US naval connections. SR
Blade Length
(A) 32" (B) 7 - 3/4"
Overall Length
(A) 37 - 3/4" (B) 11 - 1/4"