U.S. EAGLE HEAD OFFICER’S SWORD BY WIDMANN/HORSTMANN, CA. 1840

U.S. EAGLE HEAD OFFICER’S SWORD BY WIDMANN/HORSTMANN, CA. 1840

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$795.00

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Item Code: 707-02

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This is a good example of the Widmann-style eagle head sword favored by many. The sword is unsigned, and although there is a Horstmann scroll on the scabbard, this is certainly the work of Frederick William Widmann (178?-1848), a German immigrant who came to Philadelphia in 1816. Already trained as a sword cutler, with connections to the Solingen blade market, he set up shop in Philadelphia, where he worked until his death in 1848.

The brass mounts on the sword are gilt and it has a clean, reeded bone grip. The cast hilt designs are a mix of foliate and patriotic. From the eagle head pommel the knuckle guard descends in a series of reverse S-curves, its flat sides bearing foliate designs. The single, down-turned counterguard features a profusion of raised motifs with a winged dragon, foliate, and a bugle. The guard extends to a quillon on the top side. The hilt was undoubtedly “banged” at some point. This has left the guard loose with a side-to-side wobble and the top quillion is noticeably bend down.

The straight blade still retains remnants of rubbed blue on the upper third that fade out toward the midpoint leaving the remainder a fine mottled appearance. No edge nicks. Both obverse and reverse have four small engraved foliate and martial designs highlighted with gilt. No “sealing pad” remains.

The brass scabbard has both carrying rings and a frog stud. The throat is missing. The obverse is engraved with floral and geometric designs surrounding the mounts and drag. Drag cap exhibits some green verdigris. The reverse features a raised scroll with HORSTMANN & SONS attribution. The scabbard has about 98% of its gilt finish, but with some light rubbing overall.

A nice example of an officer’s edged weapon of America’s antebellum militia.   [jet][ph:L]

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