57244: US M1840 Engineer Officer’s Sword and Scabbard Start Price USD 20,000.00 Current Price USD 30,000.00 Time Left - Bid Count 2 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Thursday, November 20, 2008 End Time Friday, November 21, 2008 Location Eisenhower Hotel & Resort See more about '57244: US M1840 Engineer Officer’s Sword and Scabbard' Description click for larger image57244: US M1840 Engineer Officer’s Sword and Scabbard Regulation US M1840 Engineer Officer's Sword and Scabbard by N. P. Ames. The emergence of one of these incredibly rare swords is universally recognized as a landmark event. This example was purchased privately 25 years ago in the New England area, has been in storage ever since, and is offered here for the first time. The great rarity of these swords is attested to by the fact that as of Feb. 19, 1840, when General order No. 7 was issued, specifying the adoption of the sword, there were but 39 US Engineer officers in the regular establishment. This example is in excellent untouched condition and conforms to the regulation in every detail. 37¼" overall with a 31¾" blade triangular in cross section. A fuller extends the entire length of all three facets. The blade is exquisitely etched, with hand engraved details, for 2/3 of its length, on all three facets. The obverse two facets exhibit scroll and leaf designs with American flags and arms panoplies at the mid-point. The reverse facet displays similar designs with "U. S. Corps of Engineers" in a central panel, above which are arms panoplies and a spread wing federal eagle with riband and rays. The "N. P. Ames/ Cutler/ Springfield" logo at the base. The blade retains 80% of the original mint luster, with just some scattered staining. The distinctive all brass hilt with the grip composed on two intertwined rattlesnakes , the knucklebow cast with the thunderbolts representing Trajan's 'Thundering Legion, and the obverse counterguard decorated in relief with the double turreted engineer castle, 26 stars and a floral/scroll terminating in a large star is near mint. The reverse counterguard is hinged and spring loaded, with very fine stippling on the face. The hinge pin retaining the counterguard is slightly bent but not broken and easily straightened. The hilt overall retains 90% of the original gold wash. Typically, the all brass scabbard retains only vestiges of the original thin black leather covering (most of the surviving specimens have, in fact, had this covering restored), there are absolutely no bends or dents. The three gilt brass mounts are decorated with incised lines at the edges. Single carrying rings on the top and middle mount and a Federal shield frog stud. The mounts also retain about 90% of the original gilt. There is just one tiny pierced hole at the very tip of the lower mount, negligible. A rare opportunity for the advanced collector or astute investor.Shipping: Books & Catalogs (view shipping information)Important notice: Heritage usually auctions material at the rate of 100-110 lots per hour. On some occasions eBay Live bid software or the Internet may not be able to keep up with the pace of the auction. We recommend placing a realistic absentee bid now as insurance to avoid disappointment. Occasionally the auctioneer may eliminate or reject an eBay Live bid, and the auctioneer may also reopen a lot after the close of the eBay live bidding (usually because we missed an audience bid), and may reject your bid even if it shows you as the winning bidder. 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Lot:57244Winning Notification and Billing: After the FINAL session in this auction is complete, Heritage will send e-mail and snail mail invoices. This process normally takes several days. All final auction and invoice information will be supplied by Heritage Auctions, and all other information should be considered preliminary. Second Chance Offers: Heritage does not make Second Chance Offers. Once our auction ends, if you receive a Second Chance Offer to buy this item DO NOT accept the offer. Please forward any Second Chance offer emails received on one of our auctions to eBay's Safe Harbor Department. This auction will be conducted on a live auction floor and over the Internet through eBay Live. If you choose to place an absentee bid, please take a moment to learn how eBay Live absentee bidding works Auction House Info Heritage Auctions 3500 Maple Avenue 17th Floor Dallas, Texas 75219-3941, United States Tel: 214-528-3500 Fax: 214-443-8425 EMail: EbayLive@HeritageAuctions.com CLICK TO Ask a Question ABOUT THE LOT OR AUCTION FOR TECHNICAL SUPPORT CONTACT EBAY LIVE AUCTIONS Terms & Conditions Please view our complete Terms & Conditions at the following web address: http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/images/TermsAndConditions.pdf Auction House Heritage Auctions3500 MapleDallas, TX United States 75219214.409.1444Terms & Conditionshttp://ha.com/common/auction/terms_and_conditions.phpShippingBuyer Pays Shipping CostBuyer's PremiumUSD 0 - USD 999  22.5 %USD 1000 +   22.5 %PaymentContact For Payment DetailsTaxesLocal Taxes ApplyContractYour bid is a contract.Place a bid only if you're serious about buying the item. 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