This custom-made 1850 foot officer’s sword apparently follows an old tradition of using an heirloom blade for a member of the family once again going off to war. The hilt is the regulation pattern for Civil War line officers, lieutenants and captains, of infantry with brass pommel and knucklebow decorated with deeply cast leaves and floral elements, with the guard following suit and adding openwork floral scrolls. In this case the cast and chased decorations have extra detailing and extend across the top of the counterguard on the inside and over the quillon. The grip is covered with black leather and bound with gilt triple wire, a central coiled strand bordered by single strands.

The blade is a very pretty Federal period blade that likely belonged to the father or grandfather of the officer. The blade is from a wide short saber, with single broad fuller, fashionable for officers from about 1790 to 1820 and has been fitted with a back-sewn black leather scabbard and 1850 style regulation brass mounts that keep it within the Civil War regulations. The blade was likely blued for the lower third to highlight the deeply etched motifs, but was cleaned when remounted. This was carefully done, however, and the metal is smooth and in the bright, but preserves the crisp motifs that also have all their gilt fill. The obverse has a short latticework at bottom, with a trophy of arms above that features crossed cannons, pike and musket with bayonet, a liberty cap in the center, and two crossed U.S. flags. Above that an eagle with U.S. shield on its breast clutches arrows and olive branch with 17 stars overhead and a knotted E PLURIBUS UNUM ribbon. A wreath of victory is etched above that and at top a blazing sunburst, with face. The reverse has the same latticework, surmounted by a short geometric and floral motif that might be a victor’s crown, with the deeply etched and gold-filled words HONOUR / AND MY / COUNTRY above. Overhead is another trophy or panoply of arms featuring a liberty cap on a pole flanked by crossed U.S. flags, musket with bayonet and a pike.

The condition of the sword and scabbard is excellent. The scabbard has a good finish to the body and nice patina to the mounts. The blade still retains the red fabric blade pad under the guard. The blade has a good edge, point, and smooth metal that was obviously cleaned, but carefully so, when remounted, eliminating any faded bluing, but keeping the drypoint etched motifs crisp and the gilt fill highlighting them intact. The blade tang shows neat peening, as should be expected. The grip is excellent, with just one small flake to the finish near the guard.

We have seen a very few Civil War officers’ swords using family blades, including one using a captured Hessian blade. If we were to guess at a narrower date for this one, it would be between 1803 (from the 17 stars,) and about 1810, when tensions with France and then again with Britain began rising. In any case, this is a scarce and desirable variation reflecting a family’s pride in once again serving the country.  [sr]

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