19th Century Philadelphia First Troop of City Cavalry

Philadelphia First Troop of City Cavalry saber, etched with the organizations initials "F.T.P.C.C." in a wreath on the reverse of the blade. 19th Century, probably fourth quarter. Modeled on the British 1822 pattern light cavalry officer's saber. Steel, three branch hilt with looped side guard, bird's head grooved pommel with wire binding, and quill-back or pipe-back blade. Plain steel scabbard with throat, two carrying rings and drag. Obverse etched with "Horstmann / Philadelphia" in rectangular panel at ricasso. Palmette with thick, leafy vine leads to crossed flags with superimposed American shield and pole with liberty cap in center, US eagle, with spray of stars and sunburst overhead. A conical tent with small flag and another extended leafy vine ends the panel. Reverse is etched with similar leafy vines top and bottom. Central motifs are the American eagle with ribbon, stars and sunburst at top, Indian with raised tomahawk in center and troops initials in a wreath below. Ricasso is stamped "Germany." CONDITION: Grip wrap is missing, exposing dark wood core. Plating of hilt is mostly gone and metal is turning brown. Wire binding is in place. Blade etching is very visible, with a few stains at bottom. Upper portion of blade, including sections of the uppermost vines on either side is suffering freckling to the plating, showing some gray metal and some smaller brown areas. The hilt shows spatters of white paint on the face of the counterguard. A good sword lot with one in very good shape as is and the other two worthy of some work. Blade Length: 34". Overall Length: 39 - 3/4"