Original Item: Only One Available. 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. Made by the firm W.H. Horstmann & Sons of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 1/4 inches is in good shape, with some lovely 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:

W.H.
HORSTMANN
& SONS
PHILADELPHIA

Under this marking is the manufacturer's logo of a Königskopf (King's Head), the logo of Gebrüder Weyersberg, Waffenfabrik, founded in 1787 by the brothers Johan William and Peter to manufacture sword and knife blades. By 1850 they were located on Kölnerstrasse in the Ohligs area of the City of Solingen. From 1859 onward they operated a factory on Hochstrasse in the same area. Called "The City of Blades", Solingen is a world-renowned edged weapon area, with a history dating back to the middle ages. The Weyersberg family itself had a history of swordmaking going back at least 6 generations. The company had numerous contacts and customers in Europe, and supplied weapons to Napoleon's army, as well as to the Prussian and Russian armies during the 19th century.

The sudden death of Hermann Weyersberg in 1883 caused a management issue, and the manufacturing portion of the company was amalgamated with W.R. Kirschbaum to form the well-known firm of Weyersberg, Kirschbaum & Co. As part of this agreement the sales and trading portion of Weyersberg continued under numerous brand names. For more information please see J. Anthony Carter’s work GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS. The spine of the ricasso has the words IRON PROOF etched on it which also confirms the sword originated from Solingen, Germany and was sold by Horstmann.

The blade shows heavy oxidation from over the years, with the final 8” of the blade showing some very recent surface rust likely due to water getting into the scabbard, which could be cleaned away easily with enough care. There is a very small bit of the original leather blade buffer retained. 

The grip of the blade is still lovely wire-wrapped sharkskin, although some of the wiring is becoming loose and the sharkskin is very worn.

The sword comes in its original scabbard. The iron scabbard has brass mounts to top, center and bottom. The body is solid, though there is not much black paint retained. There is oxidation across as shown. 

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: 32 1/2"
Overall length: 38 1/4“
Basket dimensions: 4 1/2" width x 5” length
Scabbard length: 33 1/4”