This original Model 1850 Officer’s Staff and Field sword, complete with original metal scabbard, is a handsome blade specimen by the Solingen firm of Gebruder Weyersberg and imported by Horstmann. Carried by many higher-ranking Federal officers during the Civil War, this quality steel edged weapon measures a total length of almost 36” from tip to pommel. The fine looking steel blade is 30” long and carries a 16” narrow fuller and a 21” stopped wide fuller. Blade, with its rounded back, is profusely embellished via the acid etching process on both sides and features both ornate military motifs and floral designs. Back has the raised, worn letters “IRON PROOF”. No blade pad or washer present. Obverse ricasso exhibits “W. H. / HORSTMANN / & SONS / PHILADELPHIA” while the reverse shows the maker’s “Knight’s Head” figure, strong with some edge wear. Both blade flats have detailed etching that has moderate pinprick pitting in areas. Obverse flat of blade is profuse with foliate, a spreadwinged eagle, pennant with “E PLURIBUS UNUM”, and more foliate to within 12” of the tip. Reverse flat starts with a panoply of arms, a foliate design, then the script letters “US” followed with more decorative foliate. Blade wears a satin-like dusty sheen overall. Slight, very minor edge nicks visible near the point.

This sword specimen has a highly detailed, two-band cutout brass hilt with the guard and knucklebow cast in one piece. Upper band of brass hilt features prominent cutout letters “US” surrounded by finely detailed, cutout foliate. The outer band of the hilt has been bent back toward the grips. Lower band has an intricate, foliate cutout design. Covering the center-swelled wood handle is a grip of gray sharkskin, possibly rayskin, in excellent tight condition with just normal slight scuffing in spots. Seam tight and visible. Double twisted brass / copper wire is wrapped tightly about the grooves in the handle and flanked with single strands of brass wire throughout the grips. Grips are in fine condition. Brass ‘Phrygian-style’ pommel cap is border-engraved in a floral pattern and exhibits a tiered cap. Grips are tight to the blade tang. Knucklebow is tight. Ornate quillon, never bent.

The smooth, dark gray, almost black undented steel scabbard is in very fine original condition. Has two brass ring mounts, brass bands and brass drag are adorned with mild edged decorative tooling. Brass throat collar, tight to the scabbard, is set with one small brass screw. No maker’s stamping visible. Brass sword rings solidly attached. Sword bands and the drag all have their small, brass setscrews. Drag is free of dings and dents. Drag slipper shows light to moderate edge wear and has a ¾” edge crack at the upper edge. All brass wears a pleasing mellow bronze patina. A fine, original Model 1850 Staff and Field edged weapon.

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