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Lot 5134
A militia artillery officer's swordcirca 1825-50
11 June 2012, 10:00 PDT
San FranciscoUS$800 - US$1,200
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A militia artillery officer's sword
circa 1825-50
circa 1825-50
Narrow, straight 31 inch single edged blade with 17 inch fuller and concomitant panel etched and engraved with conventional florals; one side with Federal eagle and panoply of arms, the other stand of flags. Brass (bronze?) hilt comprising downturned shell molded with Federal eagle, scrolling knucklebow molded with florals and front-facing helmet pommel. Mother-of-pearl gripscales bound with brass wire. Brass two-ring scabbard with frog stud and engraved with panels of oak leaves, acanthus and with dot and curved line border.
Condition: Blade with dark grey patina showing generally sharp decoration with some light spotting partially obscuring the lower portion. Hilt with very dark patina and showing generous traces of gilt finish in protected areas. Knucklebow slightly bent. Gripscales showing some natural imperfections. Scabbard with a few light dents.
See Illustration
Condition: Blade with dark grey patina showing generally sharp decoration with some light spotting partially obscuring the lower portion. Hilt with very dark patina and showing generous traces of gilt finish in protected areas. Knucklebow slightly bent. Gripscales showing some natural imperfections. Scabbard with a few light dents.
See Illustration
Footnotes
Note: Modeled, like many American swords, on a French design, first introduced during the First Empire. See pages 377-83, Les Epees Portees en France, des origines a nos jours, Jean Lhoste.








