December 10, 2019 Edged Weapon, Armor & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2019
This outstanding cased set comprises a very high-end, presentation grade US Model 1850 Staff and Field Sword with Clauberg marked blade and Tomes, Son & Melvain retailer address, accompanied by two superb scabbards, one bright and one browned, both with deeply cast and chased brass mounts. (A) The sword pommel features an impressive, deeply chased, perched eagle with eyes formed of red semi-precious stone eyes that also ring the edge of the pommel cap. Guard has floral motifs, but of oak leaves and acorns that entwine the cut-out US are are deeply chased on the inside of the guard as well as the outside. The quillon terminates in an eagle head as well. The silver grip is spiral ribbed with gilt wire in the channel. The interior of the guard is engraved with scrolling vines of punch dots, and fans of feather. The feathers on the back of the quillon eagle head extend down onto the upper counterguard. Blade is etched and gold washed for background and highlighting. Obverse with panoply of arms at base, floral scrolls top and bottom. Central panel is etched battle scene with gilt wash forming skyline. On an open plain with scattered trees officers lead opposing lines of battle with billows of smoke from muskets and cannon, mounted officer gestures with swords, flags are raised, wounded litter the ground. Reverse has Clauberg trademark on ricasso. Etched panels used gold wash for background and highlighting. Panoply of arms at bottom, scrolling foliate US amid floral elements above. Dynamically posed diving eagle with E Pluribus Unum etched ribbon in its beak plunges down with sunburst flamboyant ray borders. Remaining blade shows bright with good edge and point. Backstrap etched with vine and "Iron Proof" with gold wash. Scabbards have similar, but not identical heavily cast and deeply chased gilt brass mounts. (B) Bright steel body. Plain trumpet throat with cast scroll border. Upper and middle ring mounts have heavily cast foliate scroll borders with US shields. Upper band with eagle in circular wreath at center. Flowered and stippled background with plain scroll at top for engraving. Middle mount with panoply of arms at center of wreath, geometric and floral motifs above and below. Lower mount with standing soldier at parade rest on bayoneted musket, two flags behind, joined at tops with wreath of victory, floral scrolls and stippling. Reverse of mounts with geometric engraving on middle and drag, floral scrolls on upper. Drag with deeply cast floral motifs. Small US shield at center on obverse. Carrying rings are serrated as coils or rope. (C) Browned steel body. Trumpet throat with cast floral border as on bright scabbard, but throat is engraved. Similar deeply cast and chased eagle and wreath, but plain rectangular panel above and chevron below. Middle mount with background of inverted interlocking chevrons and stippling. Panoply of arms with spears crossed with sword and superimposed scroll banner. Lower mount with same soldier, floral and stippled background, round panel at top, half-chevron at bottom separating flower petal on stippling above from small circles with dots at lower right. Blank shield and floral scroll on reverse upper mount, middle mount with interlocking inverted chevrons, lower mount with Star with US inside, American eagle with motto ribbon, US shield, terminates at bottom with floral scrolls. Drag with heavily cast and chased floral drags. Plain shield on center obverse. (D) Case. Rectangular, sloping top. Wood, covered in thin brown leather on top and sides. Dark brown on bottom. Good hinge. Key hole lock. No key. Interior blue velvet lined, form fitted bottom. Underside lined in blue silk. CONDITION: Excellent. Original bright gilt and gold wash throughout. Delicate drypoint etched battle scene and details of other motifs. All red semi-precious stones in place. Remarkably detailed and deep chasing to the cast elements. The only fault we can find is a slight bit of grey on the right obverse edges of the deeply cast wreaths of the middle mounts of the scabbards where the rings are attached. The leather cover of the case has expected scuffs and stains, but no tears or losses. The blue velvet bottom lining shows some slight, appropriate wear. The blue silk lid lining matches in color, and has light wear with just one or two short runs. The underlying padding from feel is the correct period uneven wadding usual in case linings of the period. This is a superior cased Civil War set worthy of the finest collection. (SR)