This pattern of sword for US Navy officers was adopted in 1852 and a version of it is still in use. This is a nice Civil War example sold by Horstmann, preserving very nice blade etching and with a sharkskin scabbard. 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 and terminal of the knucklebow where it joins the pommel cap. The grip has its sharkskin wrap and triple binding wire intact.

The right side of the blade has the firm name, “W.H. / Horstmann / & Sons / Philadelphia” etched in an arc at the right ricasso. Above that the etched panel continues with a latticework, floral sprays, an oval of stars where and officer could have had his name etched, and a panoply of arms, terminating with flamboyant rays. The left side at the ricasso shows the impressed king’s head blade-maker stamp of the Weyersberg firm of Solingen, who were a major source of swords and blades for Horstmann. The etched panel above that includes a wonderful eagle in a cartouche with cannonballs underneath and an arc of clouds overhead with flame-like sunrays extending above. Above that a fouled anchor is beautifully rendered with shaded sides, giving is a distinct three-dimensional effect at some angles, and over that is the ribbon with “U.S.N.” The upper portion of the etching terminates with floral elements showing acorns and long leaves, the stems of which loop and entwine in knots echoing the naval motifs of coiled ropes, as on the scabbard mounts, and sea serpents, as on the hilt and drag, at the same time.

The etching is very visible. The blade is bright with just some very light scattered gray spots and has a good point and edge. The scabbard is sharkskin with brass mounts showing a medium patina matching the hilt. The upper two mounts bear carrying rings for the sword slings retained by bands in the form of knotted ropes. The drag has a sea serpent coiled around its tip. The scabbard is solid, with no breaks, and the mounts are secure. The surface has good color. There is just some loss to the nodes for a couple of inches up from the drag.

The navy played a very important role in enforcing the blockade, of course, but also saw action along inland waterways, took part in landing engagements, and was engaged famous large encounters such as Mobile Bay, running the forts at Vicksburg, etc. This is a very nice example of the regulation Civil War navy officer’s sword, by a well-known dealer and with a high grade scabbard.  [sr]

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