This is an exceptional example of a deluxe U.S. Model 1902 Army Officer's Saber that was manufactured by the M.C. Lilley Co., c. 1905. A silver plate attached to the scabbard is inscribed "Colonel Otto Wahrmund/FROM HIS FRIENDS/SAN-ANTONIO TEX. MAY 16 1905" along with the names of nine individuals who presented the saber. Otto Wahrmund was born in Fredericksburg, Texas on September 15, 1855. He served in the Texas Volunteer Guard with the rank of Colonel from 1886 to 1903. Colonel Wahrmund was active in Texas politics and was a member of the House of Legislators in Texas in the early 1900s serving several terms before resigning on January 14, 1919 due to illness. At the time of the presentation of this sword, Wahrmund was the President of the Pearl Brewing Company in San Antonio, Texas and the list of names on the sword as presenters includes active members of Texas politics and other high ranking people in industry and business. Otto Wahrmund died in San Antonio, Texas on June 24, 1929. The saber has a regulation pattern 31 inch single fuller nickel plated blade decorated with acid etched panels. The panel on the obverse of the blade features an eagle with shield clutching a ribbon with "E PLURIBUS/UNUM" flaked by foliate sprays and military trophies. The reverse panel has "U.S." flanked with foliate sprays and military trophies. The hilt has a bird head pommel three branch knuckle guard and ivory grip with four finger grooves. The hilt is gold plated and elaborately decorated with a detailed cast eagle on the pommel eagle head quillion and highly detailed cast floral designs on the back strap and knuckle guard. The sides of the grip are engraved with an oak leaf and acorn motif. The nickel plated scabbard is fitted with highly detailed gold plated cast pierced mountings for the throat, carry rings, center fitting and drag. The fitting for the carry ring features a silver U.S. Army eagle and shield insignia with blue enamel highlights and a shield-shaped border surrounded by small emerald gem stones. The center fitting features a Texas five-pointed star and wreath with an oval border surrounding by ruby gem stones. The drag has silver crossed sabers on a pierced gold plated fitting. The saber is complete with an Army officer's dress bullion saber knot and a leather covered presentation case with purple silk lining. This is the most highly decorated Model 1902 Officer's Saber ever offered for sale by the Rock Island Auction Company.

Excellent. The blade is excellent plus with perfect etching. Wear is limited to several very minor scuff marks near the tip. The hilt retains nearly 98% of the original gold plated finish. The only significant wear is some finish loss on high points of the blackened ivory grip. The scabbard is very good to excellent. The pierced mountings retain nearly all of the gold plated finish. Two of the small ruby gem stones are missing from the border surrounding the Texas star. The silver presentation plate has never been polished and is tarnished but the inscription is crisp. The nickel plated scabbard body is tarnished but remains very good. The case is fair. The exterior shows heavy wear but the interior lining is bright and wear is limited to some torn fabric underneath the mounts. This is the most extraordinary example of a historic cased deluxe presentation U.S. Model 1902 Officer's Saber that we have ever offered at auction!