November 15 & 16, 2022 Extraordinary Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/15/2022
Very nice 18th century sword with Baltimore style eagle head pommel. The sword features a slightly curved blade with double fuller, a thin fuller at the top and a secondary broader fuller underneath. The blade is marked "PRAHL" on the left side toward the guard. The blade meets a wide sheet silver crossguard decorated around the edges with a stamped pattern which resembles delicate lace. The knucklebow tapers towards the pommel. The interior of the knucklebow is stamped with the hallmark "RICE.RUTTER" inside of a rectangle. A grooved ivory grip rests between 2 thin silver ferrules. According to Dan Hartzler's book "American Silver-Hilted, Revolutionary and Early Federal Swords", the eagle head is the Rice and Rutter interpretation that conforms to the Baltimore-style eagle. The head was formed in a two-piece mold, has a forehead molding, and is decorated on the sides. The eyes are in the shape of a football, but are each slightly different. The feathers are ornately chased with detail, as the feathering on the top and sides are short and pointed on each end with a slight center rachis. Small capstan on top. CONDITION: The blade exhibits a dark gray patina and edge has been sharpened. Silver guard shows some bending and deformation. Hilt polished with scattered dark patina, especially in protected areas. Grip retains a pleasing honey patina, shows some hairline cracks and moisture staining to left side. Guard slightly loose. This sword is featured on page 319 of "American Silver-Hilted, Revolutionary and Early Federal Swords, Volume I" by Dan Hartzler.
Paperwork
Excerpt from Book