LOT #72113 |
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Exceedingly Rare Daniel Pettibone Cast Steel Horseman's Sabre Circa 1808-1812....
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Sold on Jun 29, 2008 for:
$10,157.50
Bid Source: Live: Phone bidder
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Description
Exceedingly Rare Daniel Pettibone Cast Steel Horseman's Sabre Circa 1808-1812. In 1802 Daniel Pettibone, Ezekiel Chapman, and Josiah Nichols, Jr. were granted joint patent rights for a process of "welding Cast Steel to Iron, in such manner as to be applied to edge tools or other purposes where steel is required". In 1804, Pettibone, by changing the process of the original patent specification slightly but significantly, was able to obtain an improved patent and break from his joint patent holders. Pettibone sold licenses for his welding process throughout New England and the Middle Atlantic states. Research indicates that Pettibone was employed for a time at Springfield Armory and was also an arms inspector for the U. S. Philadelphia Armory. During the opening phase of the War of 1812 the War Department suffered from a shortage of swords. It may be at this critical time that Daniel Pettibone received a sabre contract and produced this example using his cast steel process.This heavy sword features a 35" flat, curved, single-edged blade with riveted tang and clipped point. The blade width is 1½". The obverse ricasso features a stamped "U.S."; the reverse ricasso is die-struck "PETTIBONE'S PATENT / CAST-STEEL" surrounding a Federal-style eagle. The forged iron hilt features a knuckle guard slotted for a sword knot. Leather is stitched around a grip of cedar. This example retains about 80% of the original leather wrap. Though the blade markings are strong and distinct, the blade has been buffed at some point in its life. Otherwise it is in very good condition.
Consulting the available references dealing with this saber, it appears that as of 1985, only one other sabre of this exact type was known to exist and that example was held in the collection of the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa. Included with the sword is a September/October 1985 edition of Man at Arms magazine with an article by John D. Hamilton titled "The Pettibone Sabre" which gives the best account of this rare sabre to date. Further research may one day determine whether this sabre was one of only a few completed as pattern proofs for government evaluation or if it was actually produced, albeit in small numbers, and issued for service. At any rate this is an extraordinarily rare edged weapon that would be a highlight of even the most advanced collection.
Auction Info
2008 June Signature Civil War Auction #6002 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
June, 2008
29th-30th
Sunday-Monday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 2
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 3,124
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
19.5% of the successful bid per lot.
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