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PRESENTATION GRADE M1840 LIGHT ARTILLERY OFFICERS

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:6,000.00 USD Estimated At:12,000.00 - 15,000.00 USD
PRESENTATION GRADE M1840 LIGHT ARTILLERY OFFICERS
SABER BELONGING TO GENERAL THORNTON. Overall length: 38 1/2". Blade length: 31 5/8". Blade is marked at the ricasso, “SCHNITZLER & KIRSCHBAUM” on one side and “SOLINGEN” on the other. The striking blue and gold blade is exquisitely etched with various military and foliate motifs including cannons, flags, stands of arms and various military equipage. There is a 6 1/2" blued panel in the center of the blade that reads in gold script, “Capt. Thornton U.S.A.”. The blade is unblued for the first 12" from the tip. Hilt features heavy gold plating and is embellished with foliate motifs at the quillon, knuckle bow & pommel cap. Triple wire wrapped sharkskin grip. Attached to the knuckle bow is a rare general officer of artillery sword knot. Iron scabbard has a plum brown finish. General William Anderson Thornton graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. in the year 1825. His initial service was in the Black Hawk Expedition of 1832. Subsequently, he served with General Winfield Scott from 1832 to 1833 at Charleston, SC. In the year 1855, then Secretary of War Jefferson Davis ordered Major Thornton to the Territory of New Mexico where he served for 2 years as the Chief of Ordnance of the Dept. of New Mexico. Major Thornton was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in March of 1863, Colonel in Sept. of 1863 and breveted to Brigadier General in March of 1865. He then took command of the New York Arsenal at Governor’s Island, NY where he died on April 6, 1866 of a lung condition he contracted years earlier while crossing the plains. General Thornton also served as a U.S. Inspector of Arms from 1840 until his death in 1866. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: a folder containing information on the life and service of General Thornton. CONDITION: gold and blue embellishments on the blade remain crisp and eye catching. Etching is finely detailed and shows only the lightest wear. Unblued areas of the blade show a pleasing gray mottled patina. Hilt retains 85% of the original gilded finish. Grip and wire are 100% intact. Knot shows light wear. Scabbard is undented with 95% original finish. PROVENANCE: From the Renowned Collection of Allen & Robin Wandling. (02-13996/BF). $12,000-15,000