Sold for $4,200
31.25" slightly curved, single-edged spear point blade, 1" wide at ricasso with a 24.5" unstopped median fuller. 37" in overall length with a 5.75" hilt. Gilt finished cast brass English Pattern 1821 style flat-faced three branch guard with chased spread-winged American eagle motif in face of guard and chased foliate theme along the branches of the guard both on the face and the interior. Pommel set with a carved mother of pearl cameo Masonic "Square & Compass" on the top of the grip and a similarly carved ivory cameo on the pommel cap of George Washington, set in mother of pearl and surrounded by thirteen stars. Grooved wood grip covered in leather and with sixteen wraps of multi-strand brass wire with a twisted center piece and plain strands on either side. Blade etched with a 24.5" panel of martial, patriotic and foliate themes with the obverse etched To Capt Jon S Detweiler near the tip and the reverse etched Presented by Co E 9th PA Cavly. The sword is accompanied by its gilt brass scabbard with chased oak leaf themed mounts and two suspension rings. A large binder of research and information about Detweiler and his service accompanies the sword, including copies of service records, newspaper articles and historical commentary.
John S Detweiler was commissioned as the Captain of Company E of the 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry the day before his 32nd birthday on October 17, 1861. He was an attorney in Harrisburg prior to the war and was instrumental in the raising of the 9th PA. He was promoted to major on March 19, 1863 and subsequently resigned his commission on April 21, 1863. During his service with the 9th PA cavalry the regiment spent their initial service in Kentucky and Tennessee with much of their early service spent chasing and fighting with Confederate cavalry commander John Hunt Morgan. The regiment was engaged at the battles at Richmond and Perryville in Kentucky during the late summer and fall of 1862. Most of their combat was skirmishing with Confederate cavalry throughout Kentucky and East Tennessee with numerous small engagements, including Bowling Green, Glasgow and Lexington in Kentucky during 1862 and Watauga River, Mossy Creek, Franklin and Thompson's Station in Tennessee during 1863. After his resignation Detweiler served as a recruiting officer in Harrisburg and held a variety of governmental patronage postings until his death at the age of 48 in 1878.
About fine. The blade retains some of the original polish and much of the frosty etching with scattered minor surface oxidation and discoloration and some small areas of etching thinning, wear and loss. Hilt with some strong traces of the gilt finish and otherwise with a rich ocher patina. The cameos are very good to fine, with the Washington bust showing a crack running diagonally through the head. Scabbard fine with much of the original gilt finish remain and a rich, untouched patina.