BEAUTIFUL AND RARE INDIAN WAR PERIOD CALIFORNIA PRESENTATION SWORD ATTRIBUTED TO SCHUYLER, HARTLEY AND GRAHAM.

BEAUTIFUL AND RARE INDIAN WAR PERIOD CALIFORNIA PRESENTATION SWORD ATTRIBUTED TO SCHUYLER, HARTLEY AND GRAHAM. You are bidding on a most unique pattern California sword. The elaborate gilt bronze hilt has a three-dimensional “Lady Liberty” holding laurel wreath and sword which appears to represent the California State seal. This is among the highest grade and most unusual sword of this era. The wonderful fluted pommel with eagle finial clasping the world indicates America’s might. The silver-plated scabbard with ornate bronze patriotic mounts has an oval escutcheon which reads “Presented to Capt. F. X. Ebner by the Sacramento Hussars, April 26th, 1872”. The 31-1/2” blade is of the highest grade being Damascus and profusely etched with military and floral motifs on the gold background which really highlights the damascene blade details. Captain Francis (Frank) Xavier Ebner, of the firm of Ebner Bros., wholesale liquor dealers, ranked among the most active business men of Sacramento. He was a native of Baden, Germany, born October 28, 1829. His father, Charles Ebner, was a lumber dealer and butcher, also carrying on general mercantile business. His mother’s maiden name was Schmidt. He was reared at his native place (Waldshut-bei-Freiburg), where he spent the years between the ages of six and fourteen attending the Government schools, and afterward at a business institute. He was drafted into the German army in 1849, and served in an artillery regiment. He went to Switzerland after leaving the army, and from there came to America, sailing from Havre to New York. He proceeded to Chicago, thence to St. Louis, and a year later to New Orleans, where he followed various pursuits until 1853. In March 1853 he left New Orleans and came to California by steamer via Panama, landing at San Francisco about the 1st of April. He came to Sacramento and obtained employment on the first water works of the city, then under construction. The following year he and his brother Charles assumed charge of the Sierra Nevada Hotel. In 1857 they built a hotel named Ebner House (this building still stands in Old Sacramento), and ran it about six years. Mr. Ebner was one of the founding organizers of the Sacramento Hussars. Captain Ebner died on May 7, 1901. Even before California became a state, her citizens had formed volunteer military units. With admission to the Union this process was formalized in the State’s 1849 Constitution. Even after legalization many of these units maintained an informal, almost social club, atmosphere. By 1880, when almost all of the units had been incorporated into the state’s National Guard, more than 400 had been organized. Some of these units were organized around a common occupation, some a common ethnic background, and many were an extended group of friends. Almost all performed functions beyond purely military ones. The Sacramento Hussars, was one of the longer lasting and more colorful of these. They were the only cavalry unit in the county composed almost exclusively of native-born and ethnic Germans. Modeled after the light-horsed units in European armies of the time, the Sacramento Hussars uniforms and equipment followed the same patterns. These uniforms were expensive and in the four-year period between the unit formation (1859) and its incorporation into state service (1863) were bought by individual members. The uniforms cost between $50 and $100. These expenses alone would have limited membership in the unit to those relatively prosperous. The incorporation into the state’s militia forces on June 11, 1863 saw the first formal By-Laws and Constitution written and signed by the membership. Section One of the Seventh Article of California’s first Constitution, enacted in 1850, stated, “The Legislature shall provide by law for organizing and disciplining the militia.” In the next thirty years, this one sentence allowed Californians to form well over three hundred state sponsored local militia units. On March 3, 1860, because of their extremely colorful appearance, the Hussars were called upon to form a mounted escort for the first Pony Express rider to reach Sacramento. The original strength was 26 men but that was soon raised to a maximum of 62. On June 11, 1863 the Hussars were mustered into the service of the State, as an unattached company of the 4th Brigade, California National Guard; remaining so until 1874 when they voted to again become an independent military company, as the state reduced the company’s allowance from $100.00 to $35.00 per month. The company was mustered out of the Guard August 21, 1874. By 1876, costs to join had risen. Their uniforms were now procured in Germany from a dealer in New York at a cost of $150.00 each for enlisted and $400.00 for officers. Officer uniform coats were red with gold braid and the trousers were dark grey worn tucked into the boots. Each man provided his own horse and equipment. The Pelisse (short outer jacket) was not worn. The Busby (hat) was of black dyed fur with red bag and the brushes red and white. When the company was formed, boots were red with yellow trim but were later replaced, as they wore out, with regulation yellow-piped black cavalry boots. Rank insignia was as indicated by U.S. Army regulations prescribed for cavalry. The Sergeants rank is indicated by the disc on his collar and the narrow shoulder straps. Enlisted cartridge box, belts and straps were white leather. Horse equipments were privately purchased from U.S. manufacturers as were sabertaches, sabers, officer dress belts and buckles. After being mustered out of the service the Hussars remained for many years an independent military organization. Aside from being a military company the Hussars were also a benevolent organization, caring for the sick and burying the dead. This company was always given the place of honor when they went on parade, as they did on all national holidays and state and city celebrations. An account of this sword being presented to Captain Ebner appears in the April 27, 1872 edition of The Sacramento Union: PRESENTATION: the Sacramento Hussars, at their armory last evening at the conclusion of drill, presented to Captain Ebner a splendid saber and belt, recently purchased in New York at a cost of about $150, and as handsome as any in the state. The blade is very finely tempered and ornamented, the grips of Silver, the scabbard of steel, highly burnished, and the ornamental work of the scabbard and hilt gold-plated and of chaste design. A neat inscription shows that it was presented to Capt. Frank Ebner, by the Sacramento Hussars, April 26th. The presentation speech was made by Lieutenant Heilbron, who did justice to the occasion in expressing the high regards in which the Captain was held by his company. Captain Ebner made a feeling response, returning thanks in a manner, which his comrades plainly saw was heartfelt. The company subsequently visited Chas. Sillinger’s saloon, on fifth Street, between J and K, where a collation had been spread, and there passed a pleasant hour or more in proposing, drinking and responding to toast, etc. A rare California presentation sword to a colorful and famous unit. CONDITION: Silver-plated brass grip is worn through at the highest areas, otherwise silver-plate is 90%+ intact. Gilding to pommel, pommel eagle, hilt and scabbard mounts retain 90-95% of their orig gilt. There is black staining where individual members of hilt of pommel have been originally soldered in place. Scabbard body retains 90% of its orig plate. Scabbard body, in protected areas, has bright silver color and has toned on the majority of the remainder. The damascene blade retains most of its orig finish, though gilt background has lightened in some areas. 4-37661 CW4 (20,000-30,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2009

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2379	$28,750.00	BEAUTIFUL AND RARE INDIAN WAR PERIOD CALIFORNIA PRESENTATION SWORD ATTRIBUTED TO SCHUYLER, HARTLEY AND GRAHAM. You are bidding on a most unique pattern California sword. The elaborate gilt bronze hilt has a three-dimensional “Lady Liberty” holding laurel wreath and sword which appears to represent the California State seal. This is among the highest grade and most unusual sword of this era. The wonderful fluted pommel with eagle finial clasping the world indicates America’s might. The silver-plated scabbard with ornate bronze patriotic mounts has an oval escutcheon which reads “Presented to Capt. F. X. Ebner by the Sacramento Hussars, April 26th, 1872”. The 31-1/2” blade is of the highest grade being Damascus and profusely etched with military and floral motifs on the gold background which really highlights the damascene blade details. Captain Francis (Frank) Xavier Ebner, of the firm of Ebner Bros., wholesale liquor dealers, ranked among the most active business men of Sacramento. He was a native of Baden, Germany, born October 28, 1829. His father, Charles Ebner, was a lumber dealer and butcher, also carrying on general mercantile business. His mother’s maiden name was Schmidt. He was reared at his native place (Waldshut-bei-Freiburg), where he spent the years between the ages of six and fourteen attending the Government schools, and afterward at a business institute. He was drafted into the German army in 1849, and served in an artillery regiment. He went to Switzerland after leaving the army, and from there came to America, sailing from Havre to New York. He proceeded to Chicago, thence to St. Louis, and a year later to New Orleans, where he followed various pursuits until 1853. In March 1853 he left New Orleans and came to California by steamer via Panama, landing at San Francisco about the 1st of April. He came to Sacramento and obtained employment on the first water works of the city, then under construction. The following year he and his brother Charles assumed charge of the Sierra Nevada Hotel. In 1857 they built a hotel named Ebner House (this building still stands in Old Sacramento), and ran it about six years. Mr. Ebner was one of the founding organizers of the Sacramento Hussars. Captain Ebner died on May 7, 1901. Even before California became a state, her citizens had formed volunteer military units. With admission to the Union this process was formalized in the State’s 1849 Constitution. Even after legalization many of these units maintained an informal, almost social club, atmosphere. By 1880, when almost all of the units had been incorporated into the state’s National Guard, more than 400 had been organized. Some of these units were organized around a common occupation, some a common ethnic background, and many were an extended group of friends. Almost all performed functions beyond purely military ones. The Sacramento Hussars, was one of the longer lasting and more colorful of these. They were the only cavalry unit in the county composed almost exclusively of native-born and ethnic Germans. Modeled after the light-horsed units in European armies of the time, the Sacramento Hussars uniforms and equipment followed the same patterns. These uniforms were expensive and in the four-year period between the unit formation (1859) and its incorporation into state service (1863) were bought by individual members. The uniforms cost between $50 and $100. These expenses alone would have limited membership in the unit to those relatively prosperous. The incorporation into the state’s militia forces on June 11, 1863 saw the first formal By-Laws and Constitution written and signed by the membership. Section One of the Seventh Article of California’s first Constitution, enacted in 1850, stated, “The Legislature shall provide by law for organizing and disciplining the militia.” In the next thirty years, this one sentence allowed Californians to form well over three hundred state sponsored local militia units. On March 3, 1860, because of their extremely colorful appearance, the Hussars were called upon to form a mounted escort for the first Pony Express rider to reach Sacramento. The original strength was 26 men but that was soon raised to a maximum of 62. On June 11, 1863 the Hussars were mustered into the service of the State, as an unattached company of the 4th Brigade, California National Guard; remaining so until 1874 when they voted to again become an independent military company, as the state reduced the company’s allowance from $100.00 to $35.00 per month. The company was mustered out of the Guard August 21, 1874. By 1876, costs to join had risen. Their uniforms were now procured in Germany from a dealer in New York at a cost of $150.00 each for enlisted and $400.00 for officers. Officer uniform coats were red with gold braid and the trousers were dark grey worn tucked into the boots. Each man provided his own horse and equipment. The Pelisse (short outer jacket) was not worn. The Busby (hat) was of black dyed fur with red bag and the brushes red and white. When the company was formed, boots were red with yellow trim but were later replaced, as they wore out, with regulation yellow-piped black cavalry boots. Rank insignia was as indicated by U.S. Army regulations prescribed for cavalry. The Sergeants rank is indicated by the disc on his collar and the narrow shoulder straps. Enlisted cartridge box, belts and straps were white leather. Horse equipments were privately purchased from U.S. manufacturers as were sabertaches, sabers, officer dress belts and buckles. After being mustered out of the service the Hussars remained for many years an independent military organization. Aside from being a military company the Hussars were also a benevolent organization, caring for the sick and burying the dead. This company was always given the place of honor when they went on parade, as they did on all national holidays and state and city celebrations. An account of this sword being presented to Captain Ebner appears in the April 27, 1872 edition of The Sacramento Union: PRESENTATION: the Sacramento Hussars, at their armory last evening at the conclusion of drill, presented to Captain Ebner a splendid saber and belt, recently purchased in New York at a cost of about $150, and as handsome as any in the state. The blade is very finely tempered and ornamented, the grips of Silver, the scabbard of steel, highly burnished, and the ornamental work of the scabbard and hilt gold-plated and of chaste design. A neat inscription shows that it was presented to Capt. Frank Ebner, by the Sacramento Hussars, April 26th. The presentation speech was made by Lieutenant Heilbron, who did justice to the occasion in expressing the high regards in which the Captain was held by his company. Captain Ebner made a feeling response, returning thanks in a manner, which his comrades plainly saw was heartfelt. The company subsequently visited Chas. Sillinger’s saloon, on fifth Street, between J and K, where a collation had been spread, and there passed a pleasant hour or more in proposing, drinking and responding to toast, etc. A rare California presentation sword to a colorful and famous unit. CONDITION: Silver-plated brass grip is worn through at the highest areas, otherwise silver-plate is 90%+ intact. Gilding to pommel, pommel eagle, hilt and scabbard mounts retain 90-95% of their orig gilt. There is black staining where individual members of hilt of pommel have been originally soldered in place. Scabbard body retains 90% of its orig plate. Scabbard body, in protected areas, has bright silver color and has toned on the majority of the remainder. The damascene blade retains most of its orig finish, though gilt background has lightened in some areas. 4-37661 CW4 (20,000-30,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2009 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

.red{fill:#B50938;} .white{fill:#FFFFFF;} .blue{fill:#005596;}