A Very Fine High Grade Cased Statue Grip Civil War Officer’s Presentation Sword Circa 1863

32 and 1/4 inch blade with wide central fuller beautifully frost etched for 2/3rds of its length with the right side featuring “E PLURIBUS UNUM” in a riband amidst scrolls and blossoms, the American Eagle, a flag wrapped around trophies of arms.

The left side with outsize “US” framed by trophies of arms, Union shields and scrolls. The spine etched “IRON PROOF”. Stamped at the forte “FH” for Friedrich Horster. Wide blade is 1 and 1/8ths inch at forte. Elaborate gilt bronze half basket type hilt cast and chased with blossoms and foliage in relief and large pierced “US”. The single quillion is an eagle in the round. Heavy pommel cast and chased with acanthus.

The heavy bronze grip with a relief of Lady Liberty holding a sword in her right hand and a Union shield in her left under a relief stars. The detail on this statue grip is far higher quality than usually seen on these splendid swords so fine that the fingernail on her left thumb is clear. The left side is in high relief with a large gilt “US” in a reserve.

The sword has never been dismounted and even retains its original leather washer. The nickel plated scabbard features high relief chape, locket and middle suspension mounts. Even the rings are writhen, another indication of real quality. Blade condition is untouched and retains 90% bright frost etching with no wear. Point has minor rust staining but 90% of its original bright polish.

The hilt retains 30% bright gilding but no wear. The statue of Liberty retains faint traces of its silvering with little wear and superb detail. The scabbard is in excellent condition with no door pinches and retains some gilt finish on the mounts in protected areas and all the soft unpolished nickel plating.

This impressive Civil War presentation statue grip sword is accompanied by an original Morocco leather covered domed “coffin” style wood case lined in original Civil War period dark blue velvet. Case is damaged and missing wood at the hilt end but displays wonderfully.

This is a rare offering as most statue grip swords of this type lack good detail and often have later added presentation inscriptions to add value. This beauty is untouched.