^Lot 717 M1852 USN Officer's Sword. (1865-1882)

Rare US Navy officer's sword dates from the close of the American Civil War to 1882. Precise dating is facilitated by two things - blade width, measuring at 1", and maker's mark of the crowned king's head, of the famous Weyersberg family of sword-makers. The brass hilt is cast and chased with floral elements of acorns and oak leaves, and a sea monster’s head with scaled body on the curved quillon, American eagle on pommel. The grip has its sharkskin wrap and triple binding wire intact. The right side of the 29" blade has the firm name, “W.H. / Horstmann / & Sons / Philadelphia” etched in an arc at the right ricasso. "Iron Proof" on rib. Above that the etched panel continues with naval motifs, American Eagle, "USN", anchor etc. motifs of coiled ropes on the brass scabbard mounts, and sea serpent on the drag. The black leather scabbard is intact with scuffs and flaking, the blade etchings are clear with some scattered gray spots. While the Civil War period US Navy officer's sword are seen with some frequency and the late-1800s-1900s period swords are abundant, the 1860s-1880s variants are extremely hard to find!