Original U.S. Civil War British Import M1850 Foot Officer Sword & Scabbard by Hunt & Goodwin
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Original Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent, original condition model 1850 Foot Officer’s Sword with half basket brass hilt decorated with pierced floral decorations, and a custom ordered etched blade with lovely patriotic motifs. The brass fittings of the scabbard are engraved with gorgeous custom patriotic motifs. This sword was likely import-made & retailed by the extremely scarce firm Hunt & Goodwin of Washington, D.C.. Hunt & Goodwin retailed swords only during the Civil War years between 1861 and 1865, making this retailer quite rare & desirable. As used by all officers below the rank of major between 1851-1865. This sword was used by both Union and Confederate officers during the American Civil War.
The slightly curved blade of 30 3/4 inches is in good shape, with some lovely but faded etching in the middle, with “U.S.” on one side, and a stunning military motif on the opposite side. Truly a lovely blade, with a nice aged dark patina, which is marked on one side with the maker information:
HUNT
&
GOODWIN
Hunt & Goodwin retailed swords only during the Civil War years between 1861 and 1865. This makes this retailer quite rare and desirable. There are no markings on the reverse side of the ricasso. The hilt is heavily worn, and the brass-wire bound sharkskin grip is in fair condition, although the smaller wire wrap has come undone and is twisted around the bottom.
The blade shows heavy oxidation cleaning over the years which has made the etching rather faint. The original leather blade buffer is gone. The guard is a bit loose to the blade but is still well-retained.
The sword comes in its original brass-mounted leather scabbard, the brass fittings of which are gorgeously engraved with patriotic motifs with stars along the suspension ring mounts. The throat drag has a lovely shield which would have been used to identify the officer, but this example is just the shield. The throat fitting is no longer connected to the leather but sits fine for display. Due to the aging of the leather, it has shrunk and no longer fits the sword all the way, but due to the looseness of the throat fitting, it can be moved to the ricasso with enough leather above it to look as if it fits perfectly.
Totally honest, out of the attic after well over 100 years of storage is ready to display!
The Model 1850 Army Staff and Field Officer's Sword was carried by all members of staff departments, Field Grade officers of Artillery and Infantry, Company Grade Officers of Light Artillery, Staff Officers and Aides-de-Camp between 1850 and 1872. It was based on a French pattern. Though other swords were by regulation allowed, this model was by far the most popular sword carried by officers during the American Civil War. The Staff and Field Officers' Sword is distinct from the Model 1850 Army Foot Officer's Sword.
Approximate Dimensions:
Blade Length: 30 3/4"
Overall length: 36“
Basket dimensions: 4 1/2" width x 5” length
Scabbard length: 28 3/4”
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