Mexican Circa 1865 Republican Army Officers Sword, British Pattern, German Mfg
This item is listed for historical interest only. It was listed on our site previously but has been sold and is no longer available for purchase.
Sold for: $995.00

Original era manufacture. This well made sword certainly fits into the modern "We Are The World" category, with its design being based on the British 1822-1845 Infantry Officers pattern sword, made by the German firm of Kirschbaum, and displaying the Mexican eagle and snake emblem on the guard and blade.All steel construction, with the exception of the fishskin wrapped grip which was bound with wire at one point. The polished steel blade measures 32 inches in length, running straight and true, with etched panels on each side.The obverse ricasso displays the makers mark of Kirschbaum, of a pattern some sources state as being discontinued around 1862, the etching design consists of floral patterns with two stands of colors, and the eagle clutching a snake at center. The reverse ricasso displays the name C. MOREL, a name recorded as being seen on a number of US Civil War era edged weapons. The etching consists of additional floral designs and more stands of arms and colors.The blade condition is quite clean, no corrosion issues with a nice luster to the surface, and only a few small nicks in the cutting edge.The cast steel basket guard has a very prominent Mexican eagle & snake emblem at center, with the reverse side of the guard folding down for wearing comfort. Steel backstrap and pommel.The scabbard has a very few small dents in its surface, with a steel patina finish overall.It is my opinion, that this sword represents the era of the French Intervention in Mexico 1862-1867, and the tragic reign of Emperor Maximiliano. A sword as used by a Mexican Republican Army officer, perhaps a foreign volunteer, an American ex-Confederate or Union officer perhaps, as a number of these unemployed soldiers of fortune went South to serve both the Republican and Imperial armies in Mexico after 1865. We purchased this sword in 2012, from a long established, and well respected collector in Southern California.