This officer’s saber more closely follows the British 1827 pattern sword for Rifle Officers than do many of the “Peterson-75” imports. A spread-winged American eagle with an “E Pluribus Unum” ribbon overhead, grasping an olive branch and arrows perches atop a “US” that is positioned in the curve of a hunting horn, all within an oval disk in the open-work iron guard. This is a direct adaptation of the crown and horn within a disk that appears on the British rifle officer’s sword. Additional flat branches within the guard form two curved arches supporting the disk on the bottom and curled extension joining the outer branch at top. The details of the eagle’s wing feathers, US shield on its chest, the US letters and the hunting horn are deeply chased.

The iron guard has an even gray patina with smooth metal. The sharkskin grip wrap is complete, with good color and texture, no wear spots. The three-strand brass binding wire is all there and tight. The iron ferrule next to the guard shows slightly brown. The red fabric sealing pad is still in place at the blade shoulder.

The blade is bright and profusely etched on both sides. The obverse has the typical small inset brass disk reading “proved” on the long ricasso. Some etched geometric motifs above the ricasso give way to floral scrolls and then trophies of arms with a US shield and a US flag over them, followed by an eagle with a US shield on its chest and raised wings clutching arrows and olive branch. Over that is a large “E Pluribus Unum” scroll with more floral motifs, all set off in a frosted panel with star-burst points toward the tip.

The reverse has equally profuse engraving on a frosted background, starting with a geometric and floral panel above the stamped “W. Walschied / Solingen” maker’s mark. Above this a small panoply of arms shows a drum, shields, and a U.S. banner, followed by floral scrolls and a large central “U.S.” followed by more scrolls interwined with a shield and banners on pikes, resolving with etched scrolls and frosted starburst points.

The steel scabbard rates very good. The steel throat, carrying rings and drag are all in place and have an aged patina. The scabbard body shows a uniform, smooth grayish brown, with no dents or dings and just a little bit of light pitting at the very tip, inside and at the edges of the drag.

This is an excellent example of a popular sword carried by U.S. officers that has extensive vivid etching. For reference, see Thillmann, Civil War Army Swords, p.410.  [sr]

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