Formerly in the collection of Kevin Hoffman, this sword has remained untouched for the past 160-odd years and should remain so. Kevin had stellar taste and collected the best, and also had an eye for the unusual- in this case a sword showing lots of field wear that was brought home by the officer and left alone by him and his descendants, preserving a wonderful straight out of the attic look with a deep, almost black patina to the guard, scabbard body and mounts. Attempting to clean or fix it up would produce only a mediocre, generic example of the type.

The sword is the M1850 pattern for foot officers, but uses the metal scabbard that was regulation for infantry officers serving on horseback (field and staff,) in this case possibly a personal choice by the officer, who did not want worry about breaking the regulation leather scabbard, or who found himself temporarily assigned to some mounted duty. The grip is the regulation gray sharkskin, showing some wear and holes, and the wire is broken in one place but complete and shows the officer not only chose a sword with a special scabbard, but using the coiled, “dragoon-style” wire for the binding rather than the plainer twisted form.

The blade has a good edge and point, but dark gray and thin brown stains. Much of the etching, however, can still be made out: the “U.S.,” much of the eagle and the “E Pluribus Unum” scroll, many of the floral scrolls, but also the Horstmann / & Sons / Philadelphia retailer’s panel on one ricasso, rubbed on the left, but unambiguous, and on the other the King’s head blade stamp of the Solingen firm of Weyersberg.

The scabbard has a dark, crusty surface and the scabbard mounts have a dark patina matching the hilt. Throat, upper and middle ring mounts, and drag are all in place and show matching scalloped edges facing one another. One of the best things about them is the wear showing on the drag blade, indicating this sword spent a long time hanging at the side of an officer in the field.

One of our very good friends, and a leading dealer, years ago coined the term “attic mint” in a moment of inspiration. That sums up this piece perfectly. It is an acquired taste, but one appreciates the long postwar history of these artifacts as well as their wartime use and appearance. Kevin Hoffman liked this sword well enough to picture it in his Swords of Regulation and Honor. As he remarked there, “the pictures tell the story as to the condition and patina. If you like swords that have never been cleaned since the war then this one is for you.”  [sr]  [ph:m]

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