December 10, 2019 Edged Weapon, Armor & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2019
This sword is featured in figure 38 on page 51 of "American Silver-Hilted, Revolutionary and Early Federal Swords" by Daniel D. Hartzler. Ultimate bird-head pommel with a stylized relief four-pointed star surrounded by C-scrolls with graduating bell flowers all in high relief down the backstrap. Deeply engraved knuckle bow with relief Rococo ornamentation, including military motifs and flags and a relief presentation panel. Detailed eagle-head quillion. The languette on the right side bears a sculptured relief patriotic eagle facing toward the right, clinching arrows, while the reverse languette is smooth. Line-decorated silver grip ferrule secures the ivory grip with a checkered panel on the right side. The curved single fuller steel blade is engraved with heavy floral sprays with an American flag and “US of A” on the left side, all designs are gilt washed and traced with blue finish. Black leather scabbard with embossed designed, silver mounts with embossed decoration, top mount with a Lady Liberty, the center with shells surrounding an eagle posed with military arms, and the bottom mount with coordinating sculptured shells and bell flowers with a snake drag. CONDITION: Blade retains perhaps 90% gilt finish on engraved designs on blade and 60% blue finish. Grey overall patina with large areas of heavy brown patina with some pitting and some nicks on edge. Some of acid engraving on lower end of blade pitted. Silver hilt and mounts polished and excellent, showing very light wear and some scattered light marks. Grip retains a yellow patina and has one small chip on bottom, below pommel and one chip along backstrap on left side. Scabbard good with some damage near bottom mount along edge and spine, back has been lined with glued replacement black leather over seams. A gorgeous American silver hilt. PROVENANCE: Ex. Daniel D. Hartzler Collection. DMG