Description
Antique US Model 1852 Navy Officer’s Sword USN 29″ Engraved Blade with Scabbard
Details:
This is an antique United States Model 1852 Navy Officer’s sword, in good condition.
The telltale sign of its type are the “dolphin’s” heads, one at the end of the quillon finial on the upper guard, one connecting to the pommel at the lower front guard, and a variant of which is also visible as the crest on the end of the scabbard’s chape.
The sword is emblazoned with US Navy symbols, such as the USN monogram sculpted into the guard, and figure 8 knots “tied” to the scabbard’s suspension rings.
The pommel cap features and image of an eagle holding what looks like rope in its talons, surrounded by 13 stars.
Though faded, the blade is engraved with various symbols, including:
- Various floral patterns,
- a mast with a USN flag in front of crossed axes,
- a 16 star oval,
- an anchor behind a shield crest with stars and stripes,
- a tassel rope tied in a figure 8 with some sort of leafy branch in front of it,
- a scroll with the letters USN,
- an anchor with a rope looped around it, and
- a shining eagle holding some kind of bell or ship piece.
This particular sword has the name Fred E. Crossman, U.S.N. engraved above the ricasso.
In the ricasso itself, there appears to have been a name engraved above the words New York, NY, but the name is too faded to make out.
This may have been the manufacturer or a previous owner.
Whether this sword was used in the Civil War or other conflicts is uncertain, but assumed.
Condition:
This sword is in fine condition for its age with signs of wear.
The blade is a good color, with minor small black spots throughout, and perhaps very light corrosion in some small areas.
The engraving has mostly worn down but is still visible in the right light.
Whether the blade has been touched up or shined in the past, leading to the wearing down of the engraving, is unknown.
The point is intact, and the edge is dull.
The sharkskin grip is mostly intact with some worn off areas, especially towards the back.
The whole grip is slightly loose, and will wiggle.
The hilt and pommel show signs of oxidation.
The guard is also slightly loose from the pommel.
The scabbard is a bit worse for wear, with clear damage to the leather, and is partially broken where the upper brass suspension ring ends.
The suspension rings are not completely attached, as the lower one is prone to slide along the scabbard, and the upper may slide out of place upwards away from the scabbard.
The scabbard’s brass pieces show signs of oxidation as well.
Dimensions:
The sword in total is about 35 inches long.
The blade comes to 29 inches, point to ricasso.
The ricasso is 1 inch by 3/4 of an inch.
The grip is 1 inch by 1 and 1/8 inches, and 3 and 1/2 inches long.
The guard is about 5 and 1/4 inches long, including the quillon finial.
The pommel cap is about 1 and 5/8 inches by 1 and 1/8 inches.
The hilt in total is about 6 inches long.
The scabbard is about 30 and 7/16 inches long in total.
The chape is about 5 and 1/4 inches long, 5 and 5/8 inches long including the crest.
