FINE FIRST TROOP PHILA CITY CAVALRY SABER BY HORSTMANN POST CIVIL WAR SWORD

Description

POST CIVIL WAR CAVALRY SABER BY HORSTMANN SWORD
Original, non-government regulation cavalry saber identified to the First Troop, Philadelphia City Cavalry. Manufactured by one of the sword firms of Solingen, Germany. The blade was imported by William H. Horstmann and Sons, a well-known sword retailer and importer in Philadelphia. This handsome, slightly curved, high quality steel blade follows the Model 1833 Pattern Dragoon Saber and measures 41 1/5" long. Blade back is slightly rounded and undecorated. Blade flats exhibit beautifully acid-etched decorations with exquisite detail evident on the metal. At the blade's obverse ricasso is the Horstmann stamp.
Leather washer covers the lower portion of the stamp. Above the maker's mark is a delicate foliate design that incorporates a floral motif of leaves and acorns with script letters "F.T.P.C.C." (First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry) above. A spreadwinged eagle follows with a floral display above the eagle. The blade reverse ricasso is marked.The bright blade retains very fine, exquisite detail in its etching and still exhibits a luster and sheen to the metal overall.
The plain steel hilt is in very good condition and displays the symmetrical two-branch guard integrated into the knucklebow. Hilt retains its original washer. The grip is black sharkskin wrapped with double twist steel wire. Wire is flanked with single strand steel wire.Wire wrap tight and strong. The original steel scabbard is in excellent condition, one dent near lower tip. The unadorned steel scabbard, which is strong and tight, has a smooth hard surface that bears a bright nickel plating. Some dark spots of oxidation with scattered pinprick pitting are evident especially near the throat collar. Scabbard has both ring mounts and the mounts are tight and each secures a 1" diameter sword ring.
This fine, non-regulation First Troop Philadelphia City cavalry officer's edged weapon is an outstanding, Horstmann-marked piece imported from a well-known  firm. A truly impressive post-war specimen of an officer's saber that would easily compliment any display or collection of edged weapons.