3202

Very Fine Civil War Tiffany Cavalry Officer's Saber

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:2,750.00 USD Estimated At:5,500.00 - 7,000.00 USD
Very Fine Civil War Tiffany Cavalry Officer's Saber
Regulation pattern Model 1840 Cavalry Officer's Saber sold by Tiffany and Company of New York and manufactured by P.D.L. of Solingen, Germany. This campaign grade saber has a 35 1/2-inch, flat back, blade and three-branch brass guard with fish-skin grip and twisted wire wrap. The iron scabbard has no decoration and is identical to an enlisted issue scabbard. The obverse of the blade is decorated with a 6 1/2-inch panel, acid-etched with an eagle and shield motif in a sun-burst. The reverse side of the blade is acid etched with an elaborate "U.S." in a 6 1/2-inch panel. The obverse ricasso is etched with a ribbon labeled "TIFFANY & CO/NEW YORK". The opposite ricasso is etched with a banner labeled: "WARRANTED TO CUT/WROUGHT IRON" and stamped with the "P.D.L." maker's cartouche followed by an "E". The gold-plated, brass, three branch guard, Phrygian helmet pattern pommel and counter guard have with regulation Model 1840 Officers pattern cast acanthus leaf decorations. One brass snap and part of a folded leather officer's saber hanger are attached to the upper suspension ring. "EP 510 873 879" is lightly scratched in the obverse side of the scabbard between the suspension rings. Documents with the saber indicate the original seller stated it was originally the property of his great-grandfather Henry Ream of Galesburg, Illinois. Included with the saber are copies of Henry Ream's obituary and death certificate dated November 21, 1911. The obituary states that Henry Ream served an enlisted soldier in Company B, 23rd Missouri Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War and worked as a fireman and engineer on Burlington Railroad. The 23rd Missouri Infantry was organized in September 1861 and was captured at the Battle of Shiloh on April 6, 1862. The regiment was paroled in June 1863 and subsequently guarded the Nashville & Tennessee Railroad and participated in Sherman's march to the sea and operations in the Carolinas in 1865. The 23rd Missouri Infantry lost 2 officers and 57 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded in action during the Civil War.
BBL:
Stock:
Gauge:
Finish:
Grips:
Serial Number: NSN


Very fine. The saber has an excellent blade which retains nearly all of the original finish. Wear is limited to some minor scuff marks and two small nicks in the back of the blade. The guard, grip and scabbard show minor wear and are in very fine overall condition, The brass guard and pommel have a dark patina with traces of the original gold plated finish in protected areas. The fish-skin grip is darkened from exposure and handling and has partially separated from the bottom of the guard and split along the center seam. The twisted brass wire wrap is complete but loose along the lower third of the grip. The iron scabbard has a dark age patina with patches of surface rust and several shallow dents near the drag. This is an exceptional original example of a campaign grade Tiffany Cavalry Officer's Saber.