Horstman was the manufacturer of the sword. ****** Kelley's US Sword Markings Web Site © Copyright 1998 By Kelley's Military Antiques Thank you for visiting our US Sword maker's markings page. On these pages are listed the most common maker's markings found on US Swords. Last updated 11/16/98 Sword ID Home Page Sword Restoration Services Home Choose One: Brief Background Information. Common US Sword Inspector's Markings Common US Civil War Sword Makers Common US Civil War Sword Makers Markings Common US Sword Makers Business Info. Brief Background Information. Beginning with the very first sword made under contract for the US government (Starr Calvary Contract Sword of 1798), US enlisted swords have been marked with government markings. Initially they were just marked with the letters "US" and a date, by the mid 1810's, the first marks of acceptance began to show up. Some of the first marks used were the letter "V" (Verification) and "P" ( Proved) with the inspector's initials. This practice became very common during the 1830's and continued through the end of the calvary sword manufacturing era and ended in 1919 with the Patton Calvary Saber. These markings are often helpful in identifying the maker, year and country of origin of a sword. Many maker's marks are so lightly applied that they have been totally removed by cleaning or deterioration. Since these marking are often located on other areas of the sword than the blade, they often survive to tell their story. Inspector's markings are most often found on a swords pommel, blade ricasso, or scabbard drag (see the sword terminology section for the meanings of these words). It is very unusual to find a US officer's sword with government inspector's markings. Most US Officer's were required to purchase their own swords. These were usually purchased from one of many private outfitters like Horstmann and Tiffany. ******** Elaine Researching S*L*E*P*I*C*K*A and H*R*U*S*K*A [email protected] -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] <[email protected]> To: [email protected] <[email protected]>; [email protected] <[email protected]>; [email protected] <[email protected]>; [email protected] <[email protected]>; [email protected] <[email protected]>; [email protected] <[email protected]>; [email protected] <[email protected]>; [email protected] <[email protected]> Date: Saturday, December 26, 1998 9:07 PM Subject: {not a subscriber} "CIVIL WAR SWORD QUESTION" >I am hoping that someone might be able to answer this question for me. >A family member has a Civil War sword that has the following: > >Top near base of Hilt_ _ _? and on the blade W.H. Horstmann & Sons > Phila >delphia > >Leather & Carved Hilt >Heavy embossed blade > >Other side of blade has U.S. >Side of maker Pluribus Unum > >Someone carved in with what looks like was done with a knife the name >"HOFFMAN" > >Has anyone come across a sword like this? And has anyone ever heard of W.H. >Horstmann & Sons, Philadelphia? > >Any history on the above would be very much appreciated. > >Thank You, >Lisa >