This popular pattern was classified by Peterson as a militia staff officer’s sword, but even he cautioned that it was carried by militia officers of every sort and also by some regular army officers on occasions when they were not constrained by regulations. (Peterson himself illustrates a similar sword owned by a regular army officer.) They are usually dated 1840 to 1860 and show up in period illustrations and photographs, but they make use of blades patterned on the U.S. 1832 officer’s swords, so they could be a bit earlier.

This is a very nice example marketed by Horstmann and so etched on the reverse of the blade. The hilt and scabbard are brass, showing some of their original gilding in recesses but mostly a nice, even medium patina. The pommel is a typical helmet or “knight’s head” and the grip is reeded bone and round in cross-section with a wide ferrule at the base. The guard is recurved, or S-form, with scrolled quillon disks, and deeply cast floral and geometric-floral elements on the quillon block, along with a raised, plain oval on integral shield-shaped langets on either side. A chain knuckleguard links the pommel and one quillon.

The blade follows the 1832 configuration: straight, with double edge, elliptical in cross section, and a narrow central fuller. The metal is bright, with a mirror finish. The point and edge are good. The etched panels preserve their thin frosting and the motifs are vivid. The obverse starts with a short, arched latticework, joining with scrolling floral elements above. Over that, the central panel is a panoply of arms and above that a straight, leafy vine runs up the central fuller to the end of the panel, which terminates in rounded leaf-like ends mirroring the floral motifs below. The reverse has a similar arrangement, though the arms in the panoply differ (including a round shield instead of a drum, more evident banner, etc.) and the lower panel includes “W.H. HORSTMANN / & SONS / PHILADELPHIA” in a prominent rectangular cartouche.

The scabbard is brass, showing traces of gilt finish and matching the hilt. The scabbard is plain on the reverse and engraved on the obverse with a long vine at the bottom and with a narrow geometric band at top and middle, from which floral sprays extend both down and up. It is set up, however, only for wear on a shoulder belt or belt frog, with no carrying rings, only a shield-shaped fastening stud below the throat.

The sword and scabbard are in very good condition. The blade is bright and the motifs very bright and visible. The scabbard has a few inconsequential dings on the reverse, which is natural for a sword that is actually carried. This is a very nice example of a militia officer’s sword from the period of the “elegant elite.”  [sr]

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