Civil War Period US Model 1850 Non-Regulation Field and Staff Officer’s Sword Retailed by Schuyler, Hartley & Graham

Civil War Period US Model 1850 Non-Regulation Field and Staff Officer’s Sword Retailed by Schuyler, Hartley & Graham – 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; the sword style was based on a French pattern from the 1840s. Although other sword types were allowed by the period regulations, this model was one of the most popular swords carried by officers during the Civil War. Although intended for officers of the rank of major and above, swords being available for private purchase and not government issue, there was nothing to stop officers of any rank from owning one. This example, as many Civil War swords, is of German manufacture, having been imported to the U.S. during the war and subsequently retailed by the famed military equipage firm of Schuyler, Hartley & Graham; the sword’s ricasso is marked by both the retailer and German manufacturer, as well as having the German maker term “Iron Proof”, etched on the blade’s spine. The sword remains in excellent condition, featuring an attractive, bright blade, acid etched with a floral motif and “US” on one side of the blade and an elaborate American Eagle motif on the opposite side. On one side of the ricasso is etched:

“SCHUYLER  HARTLEY

& GRAHAM

(Brass Disk Inset) – PROVED

NEW YORK”

On the opposite ricasso is inset:

“CLAUBERG

(KNIGHT FIGURE)

SOLINGEN”

The blade retains its original, red leather washer where it enters into the hilt. The grip is sharkskin and retains all of its original wire wrap. The iron quillon exhibits the typical, non-regulation, US Eagle with a riband engraved with “E Pluribus Unum” above the wings of the eagle. The iron scabbard is in excellent condition. This is a superior example of a M1850 Non-Regulation, Field and Staff, Civil War officer’s sword.