[MILITARIA] ID'd Sauerbier M1852 Naval Officer Sword

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Day 2: The American Civil War

By Fleischer's Auctions

Apr 25, 2026

Set Reminder 2026-04-25 09:00:00 2026-04-25 09:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Day 2: The American Civil War https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/fleischers-auctions/day-2-the-american-civil-war-22127
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• Lot Description

  IDENTIFIED SAUERBIER NAVAL SWORD OF ACTING VOLUNTEER LIEUTENANT EDWIN COFFIN

   

  M1852 naval officer’s sword. Newark, New Jersey: Henry Sauerbier, n.d. Overall approx. 36 1/4 in.; blade approx. 27 5/8 in. long.

   

  A scarce Sauerbier Model 1852 naval officer’s sword, made especially desirable by an identification etched on the obverse of the blade within a panel of 34 stars. That star count corresponds to the two-year period between 4 July 1861 and 3 July 1863. The blade is further decorated in the characteristic Sauerbier style with the standard array of Model 1852 naval motifs: on the obverse, a geometric device, anchor-and-shield, oval of 13 stars, and a stand of pikes with a flag inscribed “USN”; on the reverse, an eagle atop a carronade, a fouled anchor, a ribband reading “USN,” and a fouled line framed by oak leaves and acorns.

   

  Edwin Coffin (1808-1874) was commissioned into the navy as an acting master on 8 October 1861. Between that date and his honorable discharge on 4 February 1866, he served aboard four vessels in two squadrons and was promoted to acting volunteer lieutenant on 23 June 1865. After an initial stint aboard the receiving ship U.S.S. Ohio, he joined the crew of the U.S.S. Midnight, a blockading steamer active first in the Gulf and later with the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, and noted for destructive raids on Confederate salt works. On 16 August 1862, he was ordered to the U.S.S. Colorado, a three-masted steam screw frigate that served as flagship of the Gulf Blockading Squadron off the Florida coast. On 14 September, Coffin took part in one of the war’s earliest naval actions in Florida, when men from the Colorado, together with Marines, rowed longboats by night into Pensacola Harbor and burned the C.S.S. Judah. In October 1864, the Colorado joined the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, cruising off the coast of North Carolina in search of blockade runners. Coffin was present during the ship’s bombardment and capture of Fort Fisher, in which the Colorado was struck six times by enemy fire, with one crewman killed and two wounded. Acting Master Coffin was later ordered to the U.S.S. Adela, a side-wheel steamer with a notable record of capturing Confederate vessels, serving in Florida waters from 22 February to 23 June 1865.

   

  The sword itself remains in fine condition, complete with its leather scabbard retaining the regulation knotted mounts and dolphin drag. The blade has developed a dark patina, as have the guard and pommel, though the brass hilt elements preserve traces of their original gilding, especially at the pommel. The original leather washer, sharkskin grip, and twisted wire wrap all remain intact.

   

  A binder of additional historical research and scanned documents compiled by the consignor accompanies the sword.

   

  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.

   

  [Civil War, Union, Confederate] [Swords, Knives, Bowie Knives, Knife, Blades]

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