Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. Received out of an old collection along with about 100 other swords! This is the standard Union Officer's Dress or Parade Sword Model 1860, as issued during the Civil War. It has a very beautifully etched 32" steel blade, which is etched on the ricasso by the maker/retailer:
PETTIBONE
MFG Co
CINCINNATI
OHIO
The Pettibone Manufacturing Company was settled in Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A. The founder James Pettibone took over John Boner's military goods store where he worked as a clerk, in 1872. Around the end of that century the Pettibone Company was described as 'the large establishment in which all kinds of paraphernalia for lodges, societies, schools, etc. are manufactured, and in which four hundred and fifty people are constantly employed'.
Like all "Military Outfitters" they offered numerous private purchase items for officers, many of which they did not produce entirely themselves. This sword is one such example, made using a blade from Solingen, the legendary "City of Blades" in Western Germany.
This example bears the manufacturer's logo of a Knight's Helmet (Ritter-helm) on the blade ricasso, the trademark of C.R. Kirschbaum, Metallwarenfabrik (Metal wares factory) of Solingen, Germany. At the time the company was run by Wilhelm Reinhard Kirschbaum of Solingen, a member of the well-known Kirschbaum family. He was the son of Carl Reinhard Kirschbaum, who died suddenly in 1862, and took over the business and the trademarks. In 1870 the company would be reorganized as "W.R. Kirschbaum". Wilhelm himself would then pass away suddenly in 1882, after which the family elected to amalgamate with Gebrüder Weyersberg, whose own family head Hermann died in 1883. This formed the famous firm of Weyersberg, Kirschbaum & Co. As part of this agreement the sales and trading portion of Weyersberg continued under numerous brand names. For more information please see J. Anthony Carter’s work GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS.
The sword measures 38" overall, and the hilt and "shell" Guard are of bronze/brass alloy and the grip is wire bound ray skin. Overall the guard is loose on the tang, though the grip is not. The guard has a lovely federal eagle design, typical of this pattern. It has a minimized guard on the inner side, to avoid irritation. It comes in its original brass mounted steel scabbard.
Condition is very good, with a great look and patina. The hilt has a lovely brass patina, and the grip is in very good condition for the age. The blade is relatively worn, and but shows the etching very well, the tip is slightly bent. The scabbard is worn but it has no major damage or dents.
Just out of the attic but ready display!
Specifications:
Blade Length: 32"
Blade Style: Double Edge Spear Point
Overall length: 38“
Guard dimensions: 5" width x 5” length
Scabbard length: 33 1/2”
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
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