Description

A Fine Civil War Regulation 1852 Pattern U.S. Naval Officers Sword. With double fullered blade beautifully etched with naval designs, oak leaves etc and engraved with the makers name ‘W.H. Horstmann & Sons, NY and Philadelphia’ with gilt-brass hilt, with pierced oak leaf and ‘USN’ design on the guard, scales on the knuckle bow, oak leaves on the helmet pommel, wire bound ray-skin grip, in its original black leather scabbard with serpent motif on the drag and coiled rope pattern suspension band. This sword is in outstanding condition. The sword is stamped with a cutlers mark at the ricasso – a crowned head.

See; American Swords & Makers’ Marks – A Photographic Guide for Collectors – by, Clegg Donald Furr c. 1999, p.127.

W.H. Horstmann & Sons, NY and Philadelphia
Horstmann was more of a retailer than a maker. They carried a range of sword varieties rivaled only by the Ames company. Most standard issue models were sold, as well as a huge variety of related military equipment. Most, if not all, blades were imported from Germany, and some still carry marks from their German makers. Horstmann held government contracts for 1043 cavalry sabers, 1143 NCO swords, 270 musician swords, and 87 light artillery sabers, and is the only known maker of the M1840 Marine sword.

Manufacturers of Regulation Model Enlisted Swords During the US Civil War by Mike McWatters (1999-2004) http://www.angelfire.com/wa/swordcollector/