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LOT 166 Outstanding Mexican-American War Era Militia Officer’s Sword - NSN, N/A , gold-plated finish. Militia officer’s light artillery or infantry officer’s sword manufactured Joseph H. Lambert of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania c. 1840. The sword generally resembles the U.S. Model 1840 Light Artillery Saber with a lighter, shorter blade. The ricasso is inscribed “J.H. Lambert” on the obverse and “Philadelphia” on the reverse. “American Swords And Sword Makers” by Richard H. Bezdek lists J. (Joseph) H. Lambert as a Philadelphia sword maker from 1839. The sword has a 29-inch curved blade with a single stopped fuller and flat spine. Each side of the blade is decorated with three, simple, gold washed, dry needle etchings that feature a stand of arms, military trophies and a floral spray. The etchings are on a brilliant fire blue panel that extends from the ricasso to the mid-point of the blade. The obverse ricasso is stamped with an unidentified round mark that contains a squirrel (later associated with Eickhorn). The gold plated brass hilt has a Phrygian helmet style pommel cap, single branch knuckle bow and down-turned quillion with cast acanthus leaf decorations. The grip is leather covered and wrapped with a double strand of twisted brass wire. The scabbard has a black leather body with gold-plated brass throat, suspension band, drag and two suspension rings. Two sword belt hanger clips are attached to the suspension rings. CONDITION: Fine. The blade is excellent and retains at least 95% of the original fire blue and gold wash finish. The bright portion of the blade is in the same outstanding condition and shows almost no handling wear. The hilt retains about 80% of the gold plated finish. The leather grip cover is complete but shows handling wear and the twisted brass wire wrap is broken. The scabbard is good. The leather body is solid with tight stitching, but the surface of the leather has flaked from age. The brass scabbard mounts are also fine and retain at least 80% of the gold-plated finish. This is a fine example of a U.S. militia officer’s saber from the Mexican-American War period with an outstanding, fire-blue and gold wash blade. Estimate: 3,750 - 5,500
LOT 167 Attractive Mounted Infantry Officer’s Eagle Pommel Sword with Scabbard - Manufactured c. 1805- 1810. This sword has an early, heavily curved, blade that measures around 27 inches and is decorated with nitre blue terminating in floral designs, with gilt accented etched floral and martial patterns. Eagle head pommel with a checkered bone grip. The brass scabbard is engraved with an eagle and floral borders. Hilt and scabbard both gilt finished. CONDITION: Fine, retains half of the attractive original nitre blue and gilt finish on the blade with some light oxidation and some patches of dark pitting. The hilt retains 60% of its original gilt finish. The grip has light handling wear and professionally replaced sections visible at the bottom. The scabbard is very good with scattered dents, more visible at the bottom, and retains strong traces of its original gilt finish in protected areas. Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 168
Fine Ames Militia Staff Sword with American Eagle Crossguard and Scabbard - High quality Ames Militia Staff Sword with knight’s helm
pommel and eagle and shield crossguard produced circa 1850. The 31 inch blade is
decorated with etched patriotic designs and has a 12 inch fullered narrow groove. The gilt finished hilt has a knight’s helm pommel, spread winged eagle over shield guard, a double chain knuckle guard, and vertically grooved bone handle. The gilded brass scabbard has cast floral designs, three suspension rings, and is marked “AMES MFG. CO/CHICOPEE/MASS”.
CONDITION: Fine. The blade has a dulled finish and retains about 85% of the acid etched decorations and some slight spotting. The hilt components are slightly loose but retain nearly all of the gilt finish. The gold is bright with some minor loss and a few slight marks. The grip is very good with some dark grain and cream tones. The scabbard has some rub wear on one edge with an aged patina but otherwise retains most of the gilded finish with
some light scratches and small dents. The blade is unsharpened. This is a fine example of a high quality pre-Civil War Ames Sword. Estimate: 3,000 - 4,000
LOT 169
Pre-Civil War Militia Staff Officer’s Eagle Pommel Sword
with Scabbard - This militia staff officer’s sword with eagle pommel and silver finished brass scabbard was manufactured circa1840.
The sword has a straight 30 1/2 inch blade with central fuller. The blade is acid-etched and dry needle engraved with a Federal Eagle with “E. Pluribus/Unum” on a ribbon along with floral and martial designs. The silver-plated brass hilt has a cast eagle and shield pommel, a chain guard extending from the pommel to the guard finial and shell-shaped languets. The grip has simple carved designs. The scabbard has two suspension bands with rings and a frog stud and is engraved with a federal eagle and shield and floral designs. The blade has no visible maker’s marks or proof marks. CONDITION: Good. The blade has a mix of brighter and muted areas with clear etched designs. The hilt has moderate wear compared to the blade with an aged patina and about 30% of the silver plating. The grip is very good with a slight chip and light aging. The scabbard is very good with about 60% of the thinning plating, a couple minor dents, and an overall aged patina. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
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