May 27, 2020 Founders & Patriots
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/27/2020
Regulation pattern with 33 1/4 inch-long, curved blade that is 1 5/8 inches wide at the forte, with a long, false edge and a single, narrow fuller. The obverse or right face of the blade at forte bears the maker's name, struck indistinctly: "N. Starr & Co." , while the left face is stamped "US/1799". The hussar-type hilt is iron-mounted, with stirrup-guard and a backstrap that ends in a flattened pommel cap, with a channeled, wooden grip covered with blackened leather. Blackened leather scabbard with sheet iron throat, shield-shaped with frog stud; its sheet iron drag is missing. One of 2000 sabers with scabbards made under contract by Nathan Starr of Middletown, Connecticut for the US Army in 1798, few of which survive with their original scabbards. CONDITION: Good to very good overall. The tip of the blade is blunted, missing perhaps its first 1/4 inch of length, probably broken off and later ground smooth. The blade is a relatively uniform, bright grey with some light surface rust on the spine and some scattered nicks on the edge of blade, along with a few small patches of moderate pitting, but otherwise quite good in condition. The iron hilt has a uniform dark grey patina, with traces of the original japanning still visible, and some light surface rust. The original leather wrap is good, with moderate scuffing and abrasion, primarily on the left side, wear there are two small 1/4" holes due to wear, revealing the wooden grip below. The twisted wire wrap once in the channels is now missing, although a trace can be seen in under the backstrap, as is the iron ferrule behind the crossguard. The scabbard throat has light surface rust and the leather of the scabbard evidences edge wear and some surface flaking to the leather, otherwise in good condition (iron drag missing from end). JLK