Civil War Period Saber with Etched Blade and leather scabbard.
Not sure of maker, couldn't locate a mark. The blade is etched, scabbard is worn and metal parts have patina. Curved, single-edged saber with single fuller and narrow ricasso. Blade features original blued and gilt etched decoration, including foliate scrollwork and military motifs. The hilt is brass, consisting of a half-basket guard with foliate decoration, knucklebow, and pommel. The tang is peened over the pomel cap. Grip appears original, with age-related wear. A red felt blade washer is present at the guard The sword is accompanied by its leather scabbard with brass throat and drag, showing honest age and wear consistent with the sword. No visible maker’s mark on the ricasso or blade.
Approx 36-38"
Other
Yes
Hi Andrew,
Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
This is certainly a US Model 1850 foot officer-style sword, with gilded brass half-basket guard with a rounded knuckle bow, a D-shaped guard rather than the open three-branch cavalry guard, a down-turned quillon with a floral finial and a ferrule and pommel cap decorated with classical foliate motifs. The wooden grip would have been covered in sharkskin or rayskin and twisted brass wire. The blade has acid-etched foliate panels that were more decorative than tactical. Though the pattern was adopted officially in 1850, it was used throughout the Civil War and continued beyond, until about 1880, as a dress sword.
Without makers marks or provenance to a specific solder, this will have less interest in the marketplace, where such unattributed swords are currently selling in the $200-$300 range.
Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia
Hi Andrew,
The scabbard has been included in the value; having one by association or not original to the blade would diminish value.
Marks are usually on the ricasso and I agree that this is more likely Northern than Southern.
Delia
Hi,
Thanks for confirming its what I thought it was. As far as a grade or tier for the shape its in, how would you rank it. Also, where would makers marks typically be? Some of the research i did suggested it could have been a southern sword based on the lack of makers mark but the motifs seem to suggest northern. Does having the original scabbard add value as well?
Thank you