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Exceptional Civil War Presentation Horstmann & Sons Gold Embellished Damascus Blade Officer's Sword,

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:2,000.00 USD Estimated At:5,500.00 - 8,500.00 USD
Exceptional Civil War Presentation Horstmann & Sons Gold Embellished Damascus Blade Officer's Sword,
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Estimate: $5500 - 8500
Manufacturer: None Model: None
Born in Bolton, Massachusetts on July 10, 1825, Samuel Haven Leonard began his military career in 1846 as a private in the Worcester Guards, and began his ascension through the officer's ranks just under a year later. By 1860, when a move to Boston placed him outside the Guards district and forced his resignation, he was a Brigadier General. Elected as Captain of A Company, Boston City Guard that same year, he initiated efforts to convert the Company to Rifles, and led the organization of 3 additional companies, making him Major of the newly formed 4th Battalion of Rifles. In May of 1861, the Battalion was called up to Fort Independence, where it formed the nucleus of the 13th Massachusetts Regiment, and Leonard it's Colonel. Mustered in on July 16th for a 3 year term, the 13th departed on July 29th, and would see action at a number of major battles of the War, including the 2nd Battle of Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksberg, Gettysburg (where Colonel Leonard suffered a bullet wound to the arm), Battle of the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, and finally the Siege of Petersburg before their term ended. After the war, Leonard returned to his civilian career, running an express company. Measuring 37 1/2 inches in total length, the sword follows the overall pattern of the regulation Staff & Field Officer's sword, but with a level of fit and finish well beyond most examples, including presentation ones. The blade, measuring just shy of 32 inches, was produced in a fine German Damascus pattern, rarely seen on American martial arms, with a small proof mark, likely Weyersberg of Solingen, on the left ricasso. The lower half of the blade is extensively etched, engraved, and gold enhanced, with vinework down the spine leading to "IRON PROOF", Horstmann's merchant mark just above the right ricasso, and sharply executed martial and patriotic designs on each side. Fitted with a silver finished brass hilt, enhanced with deep oak leaf and floral engraving in addition to the cut-through "US" on the guard, a sharply detailed eagle head rear quillion with gemstone eyes, and a silver finished brass grip with contrasting twisted brass wire wrap. With a nickel finished, brass fitted sheath, showing highly raised martial and patriotic designs on the fronts of the suspension bands and tip, and the rear of the top band inscribed "Presented to/Col. Sam'l H. Leonard/by his/Fellow Officers/of the/13th Regt M.V./July 18, 1861", dating the blade to just two days after the 13th entered Federal service, which would place it on the Colonel's hip during some of the most severe combat of the war. Included with the lot is a large grouping of information on Leonard, including biographical data, images, and photocopied extracts from the U.S. Archives.
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Very fine. The Damascus pattern on the excellent blade shows strong and sharp, with only a few dark spots, along with a minimal amount of sheath wear. The decoration is sharp and finely detailed, with the original gold at 98%. A deep, unmistakably antique patina is present on the hilt, with finely aged silver in the lower areas. Similar brass color is present on the sheath fittings, with some frosting of the nickel and mild handling marks overall. An exceptional piece of American history, both a tangible link to several critical moments of the Civil War, and a beautiful display of the swordsmith's art in its own right.