3355

FEDERAL PERIOD FRENCH MADE AMERICAN MOUNTED

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:500.00 USD Estimated At:1,000.00 - 1,400.00 USD
FEDERAL PERIOD FRENCH MADE AMERICAN MOUNTED
OFFICER'S SABER BY SPIES. Overall length: 35 1/2". Blade length: 29". Blade has a single wide fuller and appears to be at one time a tri-colored blade. Blade has gold highlighted etching on a blued field over 3/4 of its length. Etching includes foliate, military & patriotic motifs, including a large spread-wing American eagle with a ribbon in its beak that reads "E PLURIBUS UNUM". Etching near the hilt reads "A.W. SPIES WARRANTED". Brass hilt was likely originally gilded and has a heavy downturned quillon. The front languet has an American eagle motif, and the rear languet shows classical arms above a spiderweb. Plain knuckle bow with a large ovate knot opening. Very finely articulated eagle head pommel with 2-piece reeded mother of pearl panel of grips. Heavily foliate embellished brass scabbard was likely also originally gilded. CONDITION: blade has a dark overall mottled patina with nicks to the edge. Less than half of the gold highlights and bluing remain. Hilt is a bit loose but undamaged with no remaining gold finish. Grips have numerous small chips, particularly on the rear grip. Scabbard has no gilding remaining but boasts a very pleasing deep rich patina. (02-19216/BF). $1,000-1,400.