Original U.S. Civil War Model 1850 Army Staff and Field Officer Sword with Likely German Blade & Iron Scabbard Retailed by Lambert & Mast of Philadelphia
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Original Item: Only One Available. This is a great original U.S. Civil War Model 1850 Army Staff and Field Officer's Sword, retailed by Lambert & Mast of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and retaining its original-style iron scabbard with brass fittings. The sword features the distinctive half-basket brass hilt, elaborately decorated with pierced floral designs and a prominent U.S. incorporated into the guard. The slightly curved blade retains traces of its original patriotic etching, including U.S. on one side and a Federal eagle above the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM on the opposite side. Although the blade exhibits considerable oxidation, surface peppering, and wear to the etched decoration, the original retailer's marking remains faintly visible on the ricasso. The grip retains its sharkskin covering and twisted brass wire, while the iron scabbard exhibits substantial finish loss, minor oxidation, and some denting. This is an honest, heavily aged example of one of the most recognizable American officer's swords of the Civil War period.
The blade on this example is likely German, and is very faintly marked at the ricasso with:
LAMBERT & MAST
PHILADELPHIA
Lambert & Mast operated as a military goods and regalia/sword retailer in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the mid-19th century (c. 1850s–1860s). Like many prominent period outfitters, they did not forge blades themselves, but rather had high-grade blades and mountings custom-ordered or imported and marked with their retail signature. This leads us to believe that the blade is of German origin. The very tip of the blade is a bit dented as shown.
There is heavy wear to the etching though it is still easily visible in the light. The iron scabbard has brass mounts to top, center and bottom, but the top mount is moved down a little bit, though it is tight where it sits. The body is solid with some denting and minor oxidation, with almost no brightness left.
Overall, the sword remains in heavily worn, unrestored-appearing condition, with minor oxidation and staining to the blade, extensive fading of the original etching, and considerable age-related deterioration to the scabbard finish. The blade tip exhibits minor denting, and the upper scabbard mount has shifted from its original position. Nevertheless, the decorative brass hilt, sharkskin grip, twisted wire wrapping, patriotic blade etching, and faint Lambert & Mast retailer's inscription preserve the principal identifying features of the weapon.
This Civil War Model 1850 Staff and Field Officer's Sword is an interesting example of the privately purchased military edged weapons carried by American officers during the nineteenth century. Its decorative brass hilt, surviving Federal eagle and national motto etching, and identifiable Philadelphia retailer's marking establish its connection to the American military outfitting trade of the Civil War period. The probable German manufacture of the blade reflects the important role of European swordmakers in supplying American military retailers, although the precise blade maker remains unidentified. Despite extensive surface wear and the aged condition of its iron scabbard, the sword retains its original pattern characteristics and presents an informative example of the Model 1850 Staff and Field Officer's Sword as it survives today.
Approximate Dimensions:
Blade Length: 30 3/4"
Overall length: 36 3/8“
Basket dimensions: 4 1/2" width x 5” length
Scabbard length: 33 1/8”
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