Comes with Norm Flayderman’s signature on certified tag.
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Description
This very sword is featured in the book, “American Swords from the Collection of Philip Medicus”, 1998. It can be found on page 90-91 (plate 41e), and is identified as “A brass hilted Mounted Artillery Officer’s Saber with a curved, single edged blade of 28 inches. It features the usual engravings and is furnished with blue and gilt. “Warranted” is found 1 inch from the base. The grips are white ivory. On the leather scabbard is a throat with stud and ring and a tip of brass. Appears to have been made in Birmingham, England.”
The first sword I’ve ever owned described for me by Norm Flayderman!
To expound on the description the eagle hilt retains approximately 70 percent of the finish. The blade blue and gold accents is fading yet good amounts remain with a overall even wear to the blade; some blemishing and pitting occurring toward the tip. There book shows that the blade washer was gone some time ago.
The scabbard has seen some wear over the years since it was first photographed, and although the leather is still intact, weakened though (the scabbard must be held upright with hilt upward and the drag downward when the blade is withdrawn); the bridle leather finish shows a good deal of chipping. Of course this can and should be restored at not to great a cost, and will preserve the scabbard. The throat retains 85 percent gilt and the drag, with more wear showing approximately 15 or so percent finish.
The tag show wear, but Norm’s signature is clear, and dated April 16, 1956. Accompanying the tag was the original brass collection tag numbered, “595.” Another brass collection tag also hangs on the the piece, that from the collector who purchased this sword from Norm Flayderman himself.
The sword itself is not particularly rare (the knuckle guard is somewhat a different variant), yet the association with the Medicus Collection and Norm Flayderman is significant. Philip Medicus had over 800 specimens in his collection and is considered on the greatest sword collectors of the 20th Century. Following his death Norm Flayderman acquired the collection in 1955, when only 27 years old and in his second year as an antique arms dealer.
With the overwhelming number of swords purchased, it wasn’t long before the event attracted attention and Flayderman soon found himself in an article in Life Magazine, and photographed in the now famous sea of blades. No doubt this article certainly enhanced the military collecting spirit just a few years before the Centennial of the Civil War, which brought about the collecting of military objects to the mainstream.
A great find, worthy of any collection
USPS Priority $20.00
Additional information
| Weight | 18 lbs |
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