U.S. NAVY OFFICER'S SWORD M1852
Horstmann & Sons, Philadelphia Ca 1860
 

This is a rare example of a 19th Century M1852 Naval officer's sword of a pedigreed American maker with a non-regulation scabbard. 

DIMENSION SUMMARY: Blade: 1 3/16 inches wide, 1/4 inch thick, 29 1/2 inches long
Hilt 5 3/4 inches long. Length overall 36 1/4 inches in scabbard.                                            Primary Fuller 20 1/2” x 1/2“  Weight sword in scabbard 2 Lbs 14 oz   Net 1 lb 14 oz  

Presented is an unusual, high quality, M1852 Naval Officer's sword from the time of the Civil War. It has a slightly curved pipeback blade with two fullers, which was common to the Navy's M 1841 eagle pommel sword design. Horstmann alone carried forward this feature to the M 1852 sword which sets their swords apart from all others. This is a rare example of a 19th Century M1852 Naval officer's sword of a pedigreed American maker with a non-regulation scabbard. The design on this sword's blade is described in detail below.

THE BLADE is 29 1/2 inches long by 1 3/16 inches wide and is 1/4 inch thick on the spine which is marked IRON PROOF, and elsewhere is covered in flora and fana. The primary fuller is 1/2 inch wide and runs 20 1/2 inches. Over this is a 1/8 inch wide fuller that runs 19 inches. It is etched over 15 1/2 inches of its length.  Above the obverse ricasso and as part of the design, standing horizontally, is Horstmann & Sons, Philadelphia, on three lines.

The blade maintains most of its original high polish on both sides with the design showing its features in the bright, and the body of the blade acid etched and frosted light grey. There is very little mild spotting on the reverse, and light handling marks throughout. The etching is sharp and distinct. The cutting edge is unsharpened and without nicks. The darkened red washer looks to be original. 

Horstmann mark above ricasso followed by naval symbols and arms. IRON PROOF on spine.

 

Right above the Horstmann name is a swirl of leaves 2 3/4 inch long, culminating in a rectangular design with a double border within which is a fouled anchor with American shield on its shaft. Above that is an ellipse with thirteen stars with no name. Next is a group of arms with pikes and battle axes topped by a pennant with USN. The design ends with a sun burst.

On the blade's reverse is a geometric band 1 1/2 inch long of alternating swirls and double lines. Above that is a large 2 1/4 inch American eagle facing left perched on a ship's cannon barrel. Next is a large fowled anchor shown in 3/4 view from the left. Then comes an ornate border and USN. The design continues with a square knot with an acorn at the lower end, and then a series of oak leaves with the three strand line passing through and ending with another acorn at the bitter end, and lastly a sun burst. Considering its age and service, the blade is in very good condition.
 

Blade with Civil War Era markings. Arrows point maker name which dates it.

 

THE HILT: is 5 3/4 inches long ending in an engraved pommel with an end cap of a left facing eagle which is surrounded by thirteen stars with the tang protruding though its chest. The number of stars in the official 1852 design is 13. The grip is wrapped in white shark skin (shargreen) with thirteen turns of double twisted copper wire. The half basket guard is per the pattern with forward facing sea serpent quillion flowing into a pierced guard with floral oak leaves acorns and USN emblazoned on the obverse and the oak leaves and acorns repeated on the reverse. The lower hand guard terminates in an ornate sea serpent. It is slotted for a sword knot or portapee which is added when the sword is worn.  Most of the gold wash remains. The shark skin wrap is in excellent condition.
 

Top: The scabbard which came with this sword. Lower: A sword in correct scabbard     A serpent should be on the drag. Brass square knots should be on the suspension mounts.   THE SCABBARD: is 30 1/2 inches long by 1 1/2 inches wide at the throat. It is made of leather as called for by the 1852 Regulations.  It has plain copper bands, each stamped 56 serving to mount a suspension ring. The leather is in very good condition with all stitching tight. There is some light scuffing on the inner side. All of the gold wash is gone. Length overall when the sword is housed, 36 1/4 inches.  The only difference between the original Model 1852 sword design shown on the left, and that authorized today, is that in some of today's materials such as plastic instead of fish and ray skin, and lower quality metalwork are being used. Not so with this sword which is of exceptional quality and conforms with the original specifications as follows: * From 1 1/8 inches to about 1 inch after 1872 * To about 3/4 to 7/8 inch in the later 19th Century, * To 5/8 inch in today's Navy. The regulation of 1852 had the eagle on the pommel facing right when viewed from behind. The use of the officer's sword was suspended on 15 October 1942 and was not authorized officially again until 1954. Source Naval Historical and Heritage Command. HORSTMANN NAMES, DATES & LOCATIONS:  W.H. Horstmann & Sons                     Horstmann Bros. & Allien NY - 1852-77                                       Phila - 1843 to 1863 W.H. Horstmann & Co                        Horstmann/Philadelphia 1893-1935                                              Phila 1859 - 1863                                                                  NY - 1850-52   OUR UNCONDITIONAL NO NONSENSE GUARANTEE: If not completely satisfied with your purchase it may be returned within five days of receipt in its original packaging if without damage. Return items must be insured for their full value. Only a prior email authorization from us for the return is required. Shipping charges are included in this offer within the continental United States if an error is due to our fault.  SHIPPING & INSURED PACKING by FedEx Ground to the 48 contiguous States , $60.00  International buyers welcome, but inquire first. We have satisfied customers in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Chile, Republic of China, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Estonia, England, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Martinique, Mexico, New Zealand, New Herbrides (Vanuatu), Nigeria, Norway, Nova Scotia, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, St. Maarten, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, USVI, Vanuatu (New Hebrides) and the Eastern Caribbean.  ACCEPTED FORMS OF PAYMENT are Bank wire transfer, cashier's check, or personal check in which case the item will be held until cleared. Our prices are quoted net to seller, but credit cards may be accepted through PayPal by special arrangement at an additional charge. Copyright 2016 by Land And Sea Collection™. All Rights Reserved.