1872 PRESENTATION US CAVALRY OFFICER’S SABER.

1872 PRESENTATION US CAVALRY OFFICER’S SABER. You are bidding on the highest grade model 1872 US Cavalry Officer’s Saber that was made. This sword has features rarely seen in swords of this era. The grip on this sword is spirally cut ivory which retains it’s original twisted gilt wire wrap. The gilted brass hilt is decorated with high relief casting and chasing not seen generally on swords since the Civil War. The motifs in hilt include an unusual large raised relief US as seen in photos. Other decorations include floral and patriotic designs that extend to pommel terminating in a fabulous 3 color enameled eagle on top as seen here. This is among the finest enameled devices seen on any sword of any era. The scabbard mounts are massive and made of gilted brass with wonderful pierced designs of patriotic and floral motifs. The 31-1/2″ blade is a beautiful piece of art most likely special ordered by Pettibone from Germany with deep relief etched panels in 3 colors. featuring decorations, various gilt and fire blue decoration of patriotic symbols including flags, shields, spreadwing eagle with e pluribus unum banner, the ricasso marked banner “The Pettibone Bros. MFG. CO., Cinti.O”, etc. One side of the sword with an escutcheon engraved on fireblue “Presented to Col. M.H. Powell, June 7, 1897 by the Enlisted Men of Co’s A.D.F.H. 11th Infantry and Troops C and H 7th Cavalry USA”. Also included with the sword in the original sword belt with rectangular gilt brass speadwing eagle clasp. Col. William Henry Powell, USA was born 1838, died 1901, he was a soldier with a long record of distinguished service, participating in many, many battles and was promoted for gallantry twice. In April of 1861, at the outbreak of the war, Col. Powell was a member of Co. E, Washington Light Infantry which volunteered it’s services for the protection of the Capital. During the war he was involved in a great number of the more significant battles including the siege of Yorktown, Battles of Mechanicsville, Gaines Mills, Malvern Hill, Second Bull Run, Antietam and Fredericksburg. He was in the Chancellorsville Campaign, the Battle of Gettysburg, and saw action at Manassas Gap. In 1863 his regiment was ordered from Rappahannock Station, VA, to help quell the draft riots in New York City. Near the end of the war, he was acting Inspector General for New York City and harbor. Lt. Powell was honorable mentioned in reports for “gallantry in front of Petersburg” in June 1864, and was recommended by Gen. Grant for the brevet of Lt-Col. for “gallantry at the battle of the Crator” in 1864. At the close of war is was brevetted a captain for “gallant and meritorious conduct” at the Battle of Antietam and major for that of Petersburg in 1865. Col. Powell’s last campaign was that of the Big Horn and Yellowstone of 1876. The last couple of years of his service from 1895-1897 was spent as Commander of the famous Fort Apache. In his latter years, Col. Powell served on Ulysses S. Grant’s staff and was even nominated as a Democratic candidate for Congress and also authored a large number of books on military history and tactics. He was truly a soldier with a long record of distinguished service, and this extraordinary sword was certainly a fitting farewell gift for an officer of such high regard. If you want a historic sword identified to a famous leader, associated with the 7th US Cavalry after Custer, this may be one of the finest Cavalry sabers of that ilk. It is interesting to note that Maj. Godfrey (a hero of Little Big Horn) served under Powell’s command and received a similar, though not as elaborate sword from his men at about the same time. A truly outstanding a rare example. Accompanied by Col. Powell’s service records and history of the man’s accomplishments. CONDITION: Generally excellent throughout. The scabbard has minor scattered pitting, but gilt brass still retains it sharp luster, the sword and knot also in outstanding condition, the blade generally in excellent condition, with the exception of the blued background of the presentation escutcheon, which now retains approx. 80% of it’s original blue luster finish. The sword belt and buckle also in excellent condition. 4-39076 JS (20,000-30,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 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
	2484	$16,675.00	1872 PRESENTATION US CAVALRY OFFICER’S SABER. You are bidding on the highest grade model 1872 US Cavalry Officer’s Saber that was made. This sword has features rarely seen in swords of this era. The grip on this sword is spirally cut ivory which retains it’s original twisted gilt wire wrap. The gilted brass hilt is decorated with high relief casting and chasing not seen generally on swords since the Civil War. The motifs in hilt include an unusual large raised relief US as seen in photos. Other decorations include floral and patriotic designs that extend to pommel terminating in a fabulous 3 color enameled eagle on top as seen here. This is among the finest enameled devices seen on any sword of any era. The scabbard mounts are massive and made of gilted brass with wonderful pierced designs of patriotic and floral motifs. The 31-1/2″ blade is a beautiful piece of art most likely special ordered by Pettibone from Germany with deep relief etched panels in 3 colors. featuring decorations, various gilt and fire blue decoration of patriotic symbols including flags, shields, spreadwing eagle with e pluribus unum banner, the ricasso marked banner “The Pettibone Bros. MFG. CO., Cinti.O”, etc. One side of the sword with an escutcheon engraved on fireblue “Presented to Col. M.H. Powell, June 7, 1897 by the Enlisted Men of Co’s A.D.F.H. 11th Infantry and Troops C and H 7th Cavalry USA”. Also included with the sword in the original sword belt with rectangular gilt brass speadwing eagle clasp. Col. William Henry Powell, USA was born 1838, died 1901, he was a soldier with a long record of distinguished service, participating in many, many battles and was promoted for gallantry twice. In April of 1861, at the outbreak of the war, Col. Powell was a member of Co. E, Washington Light Infantry which volunteered it’s services for the protection of the Capital. During the war he was involved in a great number of the more significant battles including the siege of Yorktown, Battles of Mechanicsville, Gaines Mills, Malvern Hill, Second Bull Run, Antietam and Fredericksburg. He was in the Chancellorsville Campaign, the Battle of Gettysburg, and saw action at Manassas Gap. In 1863 his regiment was ordered from Rappahannock Station, VA, to help quell the draft riots in New York City. Near the end of the war, he was acting Inspector General for New York City and harbor. Lt. Powell was honorable mentioned in reports for “gallantry in front of Petersburg” in June 1864, and was recommended by Gen. Grant for the brevet of Lt-Col. for “gallantry at the battle of the Crator” in 1864. At the close of war is was brevetted a captain for “gallant and meritorious conduct” at the Battle of Antietam and major for that of Petersburg in 1865. Col. Powell’s last campaign was that of the Big Horn and Yellowstone of 1876. The last couple of years of his service from 1895-1897 was spent as Commander of the famous Fort Apache. In his latter years, Col. Powell served on Ulysses S. Grant’s staff and was even nominated as a Democratic candidate for Congress and also authored a large number of books on military history and tactics. He was truly a soldier with a long record of distinguished service, and this extraordinary sword was certainly a fitting farewell gift for an officer of such high regard. If you want a historic sword identified to a famous leader, associated with the 7th US Cavalry after Custer, this may be one of the finest Cavalry sabers of that ilk. It is interesting to note that Maj. Godfrey (a hero of Little Big Horn) served under Powell’s command and received a similar, though not as elaborate sword from his men at about the same time. A truly outstanding a rare example. Accompanied by Col. Powell’s service records and history of the man’s accomplishments. CONDITION: Generally excellent throughout. The scabbard has minor scattered pitting, but gilt brass still retains it sharp luster, the sword and knot also in outstanding condition, the blade generally in excellent condition, with the exception of the blued background of the presentation escutcheon, which now retains approx. 80% of it’s original blue luster finish. The sword belt and buckle also in excellent condition. 4-39076 JS (20,000-30,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 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.

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