This is a very strong condition regulation Civil War U.S. Model 1850 Staff and Field Officer’s Sword. The brass hilt and scabbard mounts have an undisturbed, mellow, aged brass patina. The scabbard has all its original blue, typically shifting a bit toward a purple; the grip is complete, with full, gray shark/ray skin wrap and triple binding wire complete and tight. The underside of the guard has its oval sealing pad in place. The scabbard mounts are in place, match the hilt in patina, and consist of throat, upper and lower ring mounts, and boot-style drag. These are engraved on the obverse, showing a shield and “U.S.” on the upper mount, with stars impressed on the ring band; the middle mount has symmetrical geometric and floral motifs, and also shows stars on the band; the drag has geometric and floral designs near the drag blade and an American eagle with raised wings and holding a U.S. shield. The mounts have matching geometric shapes to the facing edges.

The shield in the upper section of the top mount was left blank, for a potential inscription and the motif is mirrored on the hilt by a U.S. shield on the face of the pommel. The pommel cap has an undisturbed peen of the blade tang and has leaf motifs reflecting the leaves and rosette on the lower edge of the pommel, as well as punched stars picking up the ring band decoration. The openwork floral designs of the basket hilt are crisply executed and surfaces that in a lesser sword might be plain are given a stippled surface, which shows up as background for the geometric and floral decoration on the scabbard mounts.

The blade is full length, with smooth metal surface, good edge and point. The obverse ricasso has an inset brass or copper disk reading “PROVED” around a slightly dagger-shaped quatrefoil. This is the usual sign of a British-made import blade, but was quickly adopted and used by the prolific German blade makers whose counterfeits it had been meant to thwart. No maker or dealer address is evident, but it was plainly imported here for sale by one of the military goods dealers catering to U.S. officers, who had to purchase their own uniforms, equipment, and arms.

Both sides of the blade are etched with military, floral, and patriotic motifs that are clearly visible against the frosted panels, which show only a few scattered dark spots. The obverse employs a vine-entwined stand of arms at bottom, with shield, sword, flags, etc., with floral scrolls rolling up to a shield with “U.S.” on it and banner above showing stars and stripes, to a rather Germanic style eagle (though some American makers used the form as well) with raised wings that clutches arrows and an olive branch, has a U.S. stars and stripes shield on its chest, and has overhead a large, billowing “E PLURIBUS UNUM” foliate scroll. The reverse starts with a similar floral entwined stand of arms, followed by floral scrolls, and then a central “U.S.” in large, shaded letters, and finishes off the panel with more scrolls and another stand or trophy or arms showing a Roman-style curved rectangular shield with tall central pike rising behind it, flanked by banners on spearhead poles, with floral scrolls above.

The condition overall is Fine, with a mellow, aged brass tone to the hilt and mounts, with the finish to the scabbard showing just a little rubbing and slight crustiness in the recessed edges of the mounts. The blade reads as a muted silver, with the etching visible, legible and distinct with just some scattered thin dark spots and slight graying to frosting. This pattern was adopted in 1850 for officers of field grade - majors and above - and those serving on staff duty, which on the regimental level would include regimental adjutants and at higher levels include aides on brigade staff, etc. These officers served mounted, so the pattern is similar to that adopted at the same time for foot officers, but employs a slightly longer blade and far more robust, brass-mounted metal scabbard than the regulation leather scabbard of foot officers. In addition to the overall better quality that a higher ranking officer might seek, the hilt is instantly recognizable in its incorporation of a “floating U.S.” where the cut-out letters appear amidst the openwork floral motifs.

This is a strong example of a regulation pattern Civil War U.S. officer’s sword that was carried in the field and in battle. It would be a great addition to a U.S. edged weapons collection, Civil War display or to accompany an officer’s effects: there are numerous Civil War photographs of it carried by officers, many well-known and not only of field grade or on staff duty, but also by many generals who preferred the robust M1850 to the elegant but comparatively frail M1860 staff or M1861 general officer’s sword.  [sr] [ph:L]

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