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    Superb Quality, Pristine Condition High Grade Civil War Presentation Cavalry Officer's Sword...

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    • Edged Weapons, Superb Quality, Pristine Condition High Grade Civil War Presentation Cavalry Officer's Sword...
    • Edged Weapons, Superb Quality, Pristine Condition High Grade Civil War Presentation Cavalry Officer's Sword...
    • Edged Weapons, Superb Quality, Pristine Condition High Grade Civil War Presentation Cavalry Officer's Sword...
    Edged Weapons, Superb Quality, Pristine Condition High Grade Civil War Presentation Cavalry Officer's Sword... Edged Weapons, Superb Quality, Pristine Condition High Grade Civil War Presentation Cavalry Officer's Sword... Edged Weapons, Superb Quality, Pristine Condition High Grade Civil War Presentation Cavalry Officer's Sword... View More >
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    Description

    Superb Quality, Pristine Condition High Grade Civil War Presentation Cavalry Officer's Sword with oval brass plaque on the scabbard between the mounts inscribed, "Presented to / Lieut. Heber S. Thompson, / by the members of Co. F / 7th P. V. Cavalry August 1st 1862". Thompson enlisted in the 7th Pa. Cav. on 10/22/61 and resigned 1/18/65. He was promoted to Captain 7/1/62 and captured at Lovejoy Station, Ga. 8/20/64. The 7th Penna. Cav. was engaged in many small unit actions and skirmishes against Confederate cavalry throughout Tennessee, including several actions against both Morgan's and Forrest's cavalry. The regiment also participated in the Atlanta campaign. The sword has a mint 35" curved blade with profuse etching on a frosted background for just over half its length. Includes extensive floral/scroll motifs and arms panoplies on both sides all highlighted with delicate engraving. The maker's/dealer's name "W. H. Horstmann / & Sons / Philadelphia" is incorporated into the blade etch along with "Iron Proof" on the back of the blade with crowned head on the obverse ricasso. The blade is about mint retaining 98% of the original bright luster. The leather washer is missing. The hilt is quite heavy and composed of three branches decorated with deep relief oak leaves, acorns, and scrolls which terminate at a basket formed by heavy scrollwork with a spread-wing eagle in the center with American shield on its breast. The scrollwork extends onto the quillon which is also spirally fluted. Pommel, with full backstrap, also decorated with deep relief floral/scrollwork. The sharkskin grip with twisted wire wrap is about mint. The hilt, overall, retains 95% of the original gilt. The nickeled steel scabbard is also most impressive with each of the plain brass mounts fully overlaid with separately affixed, pierced elegant scrollwork brass decoration. Each of these pierced panels incorporates an oval panel in the center, each of which is absolutely exquisitely engraved with a different patriotic motif, each of which appears to be toned to make it stand out from the mount. The top mount features a fierce tucked wing eagle with riband and motto. The middle mount features a draped Lady Liberty with American shield, and the bottom mount features a variation of the Lady Liberty theme with the scales of justice, etc. Really some of the most beautifully executed period engraving we've ever seen. The drag, at the base of the lower mount, is formed by a wreath of oak leaves with a single large acorn finial. The scroll panels are affixed by rivets and the reverse of the mounts are plain. All mounts retain about 60% of the original gilt. The steel scabbard is also about perfect with just some scattered light 'speckling' on the finish. A beautiful sword presented to an officer with a great history.

    Auction Info

    Auction Dates
    June, 2013
    8th Saturday
    Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 4
    Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
    Page Views: 2,329

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    19.5% of the successful bid (minimum $14) per lot.

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