3408 CIRCA 1820-1840 EAGLE HEAD MOUNTED OFFICER’S SWORD

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This item SOLD at 2023 May 14 @ 16:44UTC-4 : AST/EDT
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 600.00 USD
Estimated at 1,200.00 - 1,800.00 USD

BY FREDRICK WILHELM WIDMANN OF PHILADELPHIA. Widmann produced some of the most iconic swords known to collectors of American edged weapons. He emigrated from Prussia in 1816 and produced swords until his death in 1848. This sword measures 37 3/8” overall with a 31 3/4" blade. Blade has a single wide fuller featuring gold highlighted etching on a blue field over the first 13” of the blade. Etching includes foliate & military motifs. Gilded brass hilt with a classic Widmann scallop shell quillon. Languets both have American eagles and the guard is stamped on the underside “F.W. WIDMANN PHILADA”. Highly embellished knuckle bow showing acanthus leaves intwined by a beaded string. Well-formed eagle head pommel, plain backstrap & classic Widmann ferrule showing a grapevine motif. Carved certifiably antique grip. Gilded brass scabbard showing oak leaves, stars and 2 monumental American eagles with raised wings. The suspension loops bear the typical Widmann grapevine motif. The back of the scabbard is boldly stamped “F.W. WIDMANN PHILADA”. CONDITION: the blade retains more than 50% of the gold highlighted etching & blued field. The balance of the blade has spotty oxidation and there is some pitting near the tip. The edge has one significant nick 7” back from the tip. The hilt is a bit loose, but is structurally solid. A significant amount of gilded finish remains on the hilt. The grip has expected age cracks and has a 1 1/4" repair near the pommel. Scabbard has gold remaining in the protected areas with the remaining parts of the scabbard a mellow mustard patina. (02-19223/BF). $1,200-1,800.