STUNNING TRI-COLOR BLADE. Overall length: 38 1/2". Blade length: 33 1/4". Blade has a single wide fuller with gilded etching on a blued field amongst white panel highlights. This beautiful blade has four separate areas of gilded etching on each side, separated by white (unblue) foliate-decorated panels. Etching includes a large spread-wing American eagle with a ribbon in its beak that reads “E PLURIBUS UNUM”. There is also a seated Indian warrior princess, two large sprays of arms, and four areas of foliate decoration. There is a scalloped-top banner near the ricasso that reads “WARRANTED”. The gilded brass hilt includes an exceptionally well-done feathered eagle head quillon, and both languets are embellished with oak leaves and acorns. The knuckle bow features a seldom-seen, well-articulated serpent curled around oak leaves. The eagle's head pommel shows intricate detail and flows seamlessly into a faceted backstrap. Carved ivory grip with both horizontal and vertical linear decoration. The gilded brass-mounted leather scabbard has a wreath engraved on the top mount. A large American eagle on rocks adorns the middle mount, and there is ample foliate decoration covering the tip/drag. Obviously, a sword for a very high-ranking officer, possibly a general. CONDITION: the blade has a few areas of cleaned pitting near the tip, not affecting the highly decorative blade. Nearly all of the gilded highlights remain in the etching, and the blued field is 90% and retains stunning color. The three white panels on each side of the blade serve to highlight and even accentuate the fine etching. The hilt is a bit loose but does retain nearly all of its original gilded finish. There is one notable age-related crack in the body of the grip and some minor chipping at the base of the pommel. The scabbard remains quite solid, but the body is a bit flexed and very slightly flaked. The mounts retain nearly all of their original gilded finish. (02-22673/BF). $3,000-4,000.