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Civil War Rifle Officer's Sword-Emerson & Silver

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:900.00 USD Estimated At:1,800.00 - 2,400.00 USD
Civil War Rifle Officer's Sword-Emerson & Silver
Auction Location:

16600 Aston Street
Irvine, CA
Civil War Rifle Officer's Sword, by Emerson & Silver, Trenton, NJ, also called a Model 1827 Non-Regulation British Pattern Rifle Officer's sword; 32'' lightly etched blade with Stand of Arms, scrolls, and U.S. motifs. Spine marked ''Iron Proof''. Cast and pierced bronze eagle guard with incised ''U.S.'' beneath swords and laurel branches at eagle's talons. Standard wire-wrapped skate grip, all of which was originally lightly gold plated. Scabbard with lightly chased brass rings in the Clauberg style; drag is similarly embellished. American maker marked non-regulation swords with British pattern hilts are very scarce and seldom seen. Also included is an 1863 document commissioning the original owner of this sword, William Betts Keeler, a Lieutenant in the 35th Iowa Vol. Infantry. (Document with central horizontal split and should be laid flat for permanent conservation.) Sword shows light to moderate corrosion approx. 2/3s down the blade showing as dark cloudy spots approx. 1''x2'', with smaller areas of similar discoloration. Hilt retains little original gilt except in protected areas. Feathers to Federal eagle are well defined, with war eagle's head facing the same way as arrow points. Scabbard's iron finish has thinned and toned a dark gray. Light engraving to brass bands are also well defined. Est.: $1,800-$2,400.