November 15 & 16, 2022 Extraordinary Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/15/2022
A handsome example of William Ball's craftsmanship. This eagle head saber features the conventional Baltimore eagle pommel, typical of Ball's work. Individual feathers decorate the head and each are finely detailed with rachis and vanes. The plumage flows down and then back, each with individual depth between them. Football shaped eyes compliment the small head. Turned capstan on top. Forehead molding extends across and there is a slight area with feathers underneath which travel towards the mouth, which is very typical of Ball's work. Rounded D-shaped knucklebow connects to the 4-slot crossguard. The hallmark "W BALL" is stamped inside of the knucklebow. A small ferrule rests at the base of the swelled ivory grip decorated with twisted silver wire accents. A leather buffer rests between the crossguard and narrow ricasso. The slightly curved blade features 3 unstopped fullers in the Spanish style and has a 8 - 3/4" false edge. CONDITION: The blade retains a gray patina with scattered areas of spotting and a few nicks to cutting edge. Guard mostly polished with some scattered dark patina. Hilt remains firm to blade, while the twisted wire is slightly loose. A very attractive William Ball saber featured on pg. 303 of "American Silver-Hilted, Revolutionary and Early Federal Swords, Volume I" by Dan Hartzler.