Beschreibung:

Lot consists of two officer's or militia swords dating 1840 to 1860 with brass mounts, bone grips and brass scabbards, and one German-made American diplomatic sword, likely later nineteenth century. (A) Militia or staff officer sword. Pommel is cast in the form of a perched eagle with an American shield on its chest, holding one end of the knuckleguard chain in its beak. Bone grip in oval in cross section, carved with checkering, grooves, and palmette at base. Crossguard is flat with shell quillon terminals, faced front and back with a deeply cast and chased spread-winged eagle peering through a wreath. Knuckleguard chain is secured on the end of one shell through an integral loop. Blade is straight, double-edged and evenly tapering to steeper spear point. A narrow central fuller runs about 15" out from the guard with a frosted etched panel terminating in leaves just beyond it. Obverse etching has a petal at bottom, crossed cannon with crossed flags above with a second display of arms, two lances with pennons entwined with vines and a superimposed liberty cap, with floral scrolls above and below. The reverse has the same sequence of motifs, but with a shield superimposed on the two lances rather than a liberty cap. Scabbbard has two upper rings and stud, along with middle ring. Engraved with floral motifs that include two diamonds among the leaves. CONDITION: Blade is bright with vivid etching on thin frosting. Edge and point are good. Grip is good with no checks or cracks. Brass hilt shows gilt in recessed areas. Scabbard has about 70% bright gilt with rubbing on the reverse. (B) Knight's head pommel with bone grip having raised ribs and columns, chain knuckleguard extends from the base of the helmet to the upturned quillon of the flat S-shaped crossguard featuring a downturned counterguard cast with an American eagle superimposed on rays of the sun. Blade is ovoid, etched on the obverse with oakleaves and acorns at bottom, leafy vine at top, with trophy of arms and American eagle with ribbon in its beak as the central motifs. Reverse etched with lower panel of oak leaves and acorns, upper section of leafy vines, and central motif of lances crossed with a pole carrying a liberty cap. Brass scabbard with two carrying rings and frog stud in the shape of shield. Deep floral engraving at throat and either ring, and for five inches from button finial drag. Edge of scabbard bordered with recurring half circles. CONDITION: Scabbard is dark with two very minor dents on reverse. Brass hilt has dark patina. Counterguard medium. Blade is smooth metal. Tip is rounded. Frosting is very thin. Scattered grey area. Some darker spots near the tip. (C) A German made American diplomatic sword. Likely late 1800's. Narrow, single edged tapering small sword blade with delicate gold colored hilt. Urn pommel with leaves. Spiral grooved grip with separate coiled wire in the channels. Deeply cast and chased floral motifs on the guard. Counterguard is downturned and openwork with arms of the US, eagle, shield, arrows and olive branch. Stamped on reverse ricasso, "Deutscher Offizier-Verein Berlin" ("German officer's club, Berlin") a known supplier of edged weapons. Etched for 11-1/2" with floral and geometric motifs and a central stand of arms and flags. Scabbard is black leather with long upper mount and drag, deep cursory floral elements on the obverse of each. CONDITION: Scabbard has some crackling and finish loss with one bend. Hilt shows some bright gilt in the recesses, particularly on the reverse. Blade has good edge and point, some dark spots at ricasso, about 10" up from the base of the blade on some of the floral etching, and again 5" and 9" from the point. Name Value Blade Length (A) 30 - 1/4" (B) 29 - 1/2" (C) 31" Overall Length (A) 36" (B) 35 - 1/4" (C) 36 - 1/4" Paperwork