This sword bears the maker’s mark of a hare’s head which, according to pages 291 & 292 of John Thillmann’s book “Civil War Cavalry and Artillery Sabers” is the mark for Friedrich Potter of Solingen, Germany. The mark usually has an “FP” below it but the ricasso is rubbed and part of the maker’s mark is faint. The initials may have worn off from use. As far as is known this is the first Model 1852 Navy sword to exhibit this mark.

The drawn sword meas. approx. 34.50 inches from point to pommel. The blade is approx. 29.00 inches long. It has a wide stopped fuller that is 21.00 inches long and a narrow fuller that is 13.75 inches long. The blade is bright with light scattered mottling. The point has some light to moderate pitting on both sides. The true edge has no nicks. Buff leather washer is present and in good condition.

The etching is not “frosty” but it is strong. The obverse includes an anchor and US shield within a scalloped rectangle followed by a blank oval and a gathering of spears, one of which flies a “U.S.N.” pennant. The reverse has a spread-winged eagle just above the ricasso with a sunburst above it followed by a fouled anchor and a riband marked “U.S.N.” followed in turn by a rope tied in a square knot. Both sides are adorned with oak leaf decorations.

The grip has the usual sharkskin covering with 11 courses of twisted wire wrap flanked by plain wire. The pommel cap is the usual Phrygian helmet design with oak leaf border and a cap consisting of a spread-winged eagle surrounded by 13 stars. The knuckle bow starts at the pommel cap and sweeps around toward the base of the grip and widens into a counterguard on each side of the grip ending in a dolphin head quillon. There is a similar dolphin head where the knuckle bow meets the pommel cap while the guard has the usual oak leaf design with the letters “USN” worked into it. Hilt and blade are tight. The brass on the hilt has a light patina and small amounts of wear. Grip has the usual seam at rear and a minor amount of wear under the pommel cap.

Leather scabbard is excellent. There are no weak spots in the leather and the rear seam is tight throughout. Both mounts and rings are present. Obvers side of the mounts are decorated with the usual knotted rope. Drag shows light wear and has sea serpent base.

An overall excellent item by a rare maker.  [ad]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS,

CLICK ON ‘CONTACT US’ AT THE TOP OF ANY PAGE ON THE SITE,

THEN ON ‘LAYAWAY POLICY’.

THANK YOU!