An 1830s US Army Sword For All Officers
May 24, 2021 12:21:59 GMT
Post by Deleted on May 24, 2021 12:21:59 GMT
Labeled as the 1832-1834, these small broadswords somewhat mimic the British p1796 heavy cavalry dress swords. I watched one this past week and found a relative bargain with few bidders.
Here is a sibling that sold at Horse Soldier. That one credited in Thillmann's book.
www.horsesoldier.com/products/edged-weapons/swords/6391
No scabbard for this one and that would point to a lesser staff officer sword. The form exists until the late 19th century, after the 1840s as a sword for Generals in fancy engraved brass &gilt scabbards. This one fits the same build as the sword linked above and similarly unmarked. It is unusual to find unmarked swords attributed to Horstmann but I see this on some militia swords as well. The etch is much clearer on this example. The dark stains may lift but honestly don't detract much. The sheet siver grip is intact and undented.
These are somewhat uncommon, as the regulations changed again in 1840, with a sword akin to the nco spadroon but with a different pommel, more decorative and sporting a folding guard. We see another adaptation in the current US Army nco sword that looks more like a German civil degen.
www.horsesoldier.com/products/edged-weapons/swords/26035
In 1850, the US Army adopted a Staff&Field sabre and then in 1860 the staff&staff corp swords
oldswords.com/articles/Swords%20for%20Officers%20of%20the%20Staff%20and%20Staff%20Corps-v1i6.pdf
I had almost plonked money down on an ACW period m1860 s&f and am glad I let it go (I hope that one ended up in a good home).
I'll do some comparative shots once it arrives. At just 31" of blade it looks a bit squat but fits with my Ames militia officer sword and little eagle broadsword.
I'll have to do some etchings comparisons to the Ames swords I have on file, as they are so similar across the various sellers/makers. The Widmann examples stand out with twisted copper wire grips instead of the silver sheet routine. This one came from a fellow I knew when I was a 1960s youngster in State College, Pa.
Another here just won a Bolton eagle I could have bid on but it is not quite the example I crave.
Cheers
GC
Here is a sibling that sold at Horse Soldier. That one credited in Thillmann's book.
www.horsesoldier.com/products/edged-weapons/swords/6391
No scabbard for this one and that would point to a lesser staff officer sword. The form exists until the late 19th century, after the 1840s as a sword for Generals in fancy engraved brass &gilt scabbards. This one fits the same build as the sword linked above and similarly unmarked. It is unusual to find unmarked swords attributed to Horstmann but I see this on some militia swords as well. The etch is much clearer on this example. The dark stains may lift but honestly don't detract much. The sheet siver grip is intact and undented.
These are somewhat uncommon, as the regulations changed again in 1840, with a sword akin to the nco spadroon but with a different pommel, more decorative and sporting a folding guard. We see another adaptation in the current US Army nco sword that looks more like a German civil degen.
www.horsesoldier.com/products/edged-weapons/swords/26035
In 1850, the US Army adopted a Staff&Field sabre and then in 1860 the staff&staff corp swords
oldswords.com/articles/Swords%20for%20Officers%20of%20the%20Staff%20and%20Staff%20Corps-v1i6.pdf
I had almost plonked money down on an ACW period m1860 s&f and am glad I let it go (I hope that one ended up in a good home).
I'll do some comparative shots once it arrives. At just 31" of blade it looks a bit squat but fits with my Ames militia officer sword and little eagle broadsword.
I'll have to do some etchings comparisons to the Ames swords I have on file, as they are so similar across the various sellers/makers. The Widmann examples stand out with twisted copper wire grips instead of the silver sheet routine. This one came from a fellow I knew when I was a 1960s youngster in State College, Pa.
Another here just won a Bolton eagle I could have bid on but it is not quite the example I crave.
Cheers
GC