EXCEPTIONALLY ORNATE CIVIL WAR CASTLE POMMEL SWORD PRESENTED TO LIEUTENANT ABNER FLINT OF THE 8TH VERMONT INFANTRY

EXCEPTIONALLY ORNATE CIVIL WAR CASTLE POMMEL SWORD PRESENTED TO LIEUTENANT ABNER FLINT OF THE 8TH VERMONT INFANTRY.

02-16740

Overall length: 39 3/4″. Blade length: 32″.

Blade has a single wide fuller with a single 15″ fuller above. Blade is etched over 2/3 of its length with exceptionally well done foliate motifs along with 2 large stands of flags and equipment, a spray of arms, “U S”, a superb American eagle with “E PLURIBUS UNUM” banner and a central panel that reads, “For the Union and Constitution”. The ricasso is stamped, “W CLAUBERG (knight) SOLINGEN”. Original scalloped white buff pad is intact. Exceedingly ornate gilded brass, 3 branch, semi-basket hilt features a stunning 3 1/2″ high relief spread winged American eagle, with glory above, on the outside of the guard. Acanthus leaf covered ball quillon. The 3 ornate branches join the knuckle bow at the midpoint and form a laurel edged, oval medallion with “U S” in the center. The ornate knuckle bow attaches to the pommel in what appears to be the mouth of a wonderfully articulated king or perhaps a rendition of Zeus. The head is crowned with a 4 turreted castle topped by a highly decorated round nut. Extending from the castle down the entire backstrap is a semi-nude Greek or Roman goddess standing on a plinth bearing an American shield on the front. The grip is solid silver with intricate foliate engraving throughout. Scabbard body is plated in silver and the mounts are gilded brass. Throat is embellished with foliate decoration. The top mount has an exceedingly ornate scabbard ring in the form of an American eagle within a wreath. Suspension rings are both faceted and turned. The top mount also is engraved within a shield, “Presented to Lt: A. N. Flint. By the members of Co G 8th: Vt: Vols as a token of their esteem”. The middle mount has ornate decorated edges with a large spray of arms within a wreath forming the scabbard ring. The bottom mount/drag shows an American soldier in uniform standing with his rifle in front of 2 crossed American flags along with various wonderful, decorative embellishments.

Lieutenant Abner Flint enlisted in the 8th Vermont on December 18, 1861. He was captured in Louisiana on September 4, 1862 but was paroled on November 13, 1862. He rejoined his unit and was promoted to Sergeant on September 1, 1864 and to 2nd Lieutenant on November 24, 1864. He mustered out of federal service on June 28, 1865 in Washington, D.C. The 8th Vermont fought several engagements in Louisiana including Port Hudson. They also saw action in Opequan, Va., Fisher’s Hill, Va. and Cedar Creek, Va.