"INDIAN PRINCESS" POMMEL MILITIA SWORD BY HORSTMANN

U.S. militia officer's sword. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: William H. Horstmann & Sons, ca. mid-19th century. Blade acid-etched "Philadelphia" to obverse and "W.H.H. & S." to reverse. Blade approx. 31 in. Overall length approx. 36 3/4 in. 

Complete with brass scabbard engraved with floral motifs and stamped “Horstmann” and bench number “VIII” to the reverse. The blade retains a muted patina, and its floral etchings remain clearly visible and reflective in the light. There is minor pitting along the blade and light rust where it meets the crossguard. The grip is of fluted bone; it is slightly loose from the tang but remains stable.

The pommel is cast in the form of the bust of an Indian princess or maiden, a decorative motif commonly found on American militia swords produced during the Mexican War era.

The assembler and retailer, William H. Horstmann (1785–1850), was born in Germany and trained as a silk weaver in France before emigrating to Philadelphia, where he established his business in 1815. Initially focused on silk weaving, he began producing military trimmings and equipment in 1828. The firm expanded rapidly, opening branches in New York and eventually incorporating his sons William and Sigmund into the enterprise. By the mid-nineteenth century, the Horstmann company had become one of the most prominent military outfitters in the United States, supplying uniforms, insignia, and edged weapons under large contracts with the United States War Department and the United States Navy Department.

Provenance: Frederick "Frank" Logan Collection. From the collection of Frederick "Frank" Logan. Frank Logan was a dedicated Civil War enthusiast and respected member of the collecting community. He began his lifelong passion for Civil War history as a relic hunter in the mid-1970s. Over the decades, that early interest grew into a deep passion for all aspects of the Civil War, with his collecting efforts eventually centering on Maryland-related artifacts and material culture.

A member of the Maryland Arms Collectors Association, he was well regarded among fellow collectors for his knowledge and appreciation of historical artifacts. Carefully assembled over many years, his collection reflects decades of searching, study, and a genuine dedication to preserving pieces of American Civil War history.

Note: This lot cannot be packaged and shipped in-house. Successful bidders winning items marked as being packaged and shipped by a third-party service are responsible for paying the third party directly. We are happy to offer complimentary drop-off service to local third-party packing/shipping companies in Columbus, Ohio.

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