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Fine Civil War Sauerbier Cavalry Officer's Saber

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:1,800.00 USD Estimated At:4,500.00 - 6,500.00 USD
Fine Civil War Sauerbier Cavalry Officer's Saber
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Estimate: $4500 - 6500
Civil War Cavalry Officer's Saber manufactured by the Henry Sauerbier Company of Newark, New Jersey c.1863. The Sauerbier Company produced high quality officer's sabers with distinctive hilts and top grade Solingen blades. This saber has a 34-inch flat back single fuller Model 1840 Dragoon pattern blade. The obverse of the blade is acid etched and dry needle engraved with six-inch panel that features a spread eagle and shield on a sunburst flanked by floral sprays. The reverse of the blade has a six-inch panel acid etched with "U.S." in elaborate block letters flanked by floral sprays. The blade maker's name "W/CLAUBERG" is stamped above the Knight trademark on the reverse ricasso. The gilded brass hilt has the distinctive Sauerbier Type I pommel with bent down cap with recessed spanner nut. The hilt features a heavy two-branch guard. The pommel, knuckle bow, guard branches and quillion are decorated with deep well executed chasing and foliate engraving. The grip has a leather cover wrapped with a double strand of twisted brass wire. The scabbard has a browned steel body with gilded brass trumpet throat, cast chased suspension bands and shoe style brass drag with deeply cast oak leaf and acorn decorations.
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Serial Number: NSN
Condition: Very fine. The blade is excellent with all of the original polish. The frosted portion of the engraved panels is completely intact and the engraving is extremely crisp with minimal wear. The only significant wear is several very minor traces of pitting on the edge of the blade in front of the engraved panel and some minor patches of discoloration on the obverse ricasso. The brass hilt retains 25% of the gilded finish in protected areas, the balance has a a very attractive unpolished patina. The cast foliate engraving is crisp. The leather grip cover is excellent and the twisted wire wrap is tight. The scabbard is fine. The steel body has deep brown patina with no dents. The cast brass throat, suspension bands and drag have a mellow untouched patina with traces of gilt in protected areas. This is an excellent example of a Type I Sauerbier Cavalry Officer's Saber with 1840 Dragoon pattern blade.