LOT #52246 |
Sold on Jun 9, 2012 for: Not Sold
Unique U.S. Mounted Artillery Officer's Saber, Circa 1795....
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Description
Unique U.S. Mounted Artillery Officer's Saber, Circa 1795. First example even remotely similar we have encountered. 31" curved flat blade with raised 10" false edge. The blade is decorated for 2/3 its length with gilt highlighted engraved decoration including, on the obverse leaf scrollwork, arms panoplies, a great primitive American spread wing eagle with shield in the center with rays above and riband with engraved motto below. Also a large liberty cap on a pole with riband engraved "WARRANTED" below. Reverse with similar engraving but incorporating the central theme of an American Indian with bow, arrows in quiver etc. The engraved decoration on this sword is more extensive than any other sword we've seen from this period and retains 70% of the original gilt highlighting. The blade dark and smooth with no pitting, just one tiny nick and some small minor scattered patches of very old surface rust.. Very nice and a very scarce form. The hilt is even more unusual. The wide brass guard, which is decorated on the face with a profusely pierced motif of grape vines, splits at the bottom to form two branches and a base, with pierced scrolls and incise decorated quillon. Ring for attaching a sword knot where the knuckle bow enters the pommel which is a massive lion head. Exceptionally fine detail with full backstrap. Checkered ebony grip, shaped to fit the hand, very sound with one age hairline and a large chip inside just below the pommel. 3/8" decorative brass ferrule at the base. The hilt overall retains 90% of the original gilt. The sword overall really striking, and an exceptional American officer's saber from the early Federal period.Auction Info
2012 June 9 Civil War & Militaria Signature Auction #6088 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
June, 2012
9th
Saturday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 0
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 591
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
19.5% of the successful bid per lot.
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