November 17, 2020 Early Arms & Militaria: Age of Exploration, Empire & Revolution
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/17/2020
This rare example of the Grenadier of Virginia saber is 31-5/8" long overall and has an unfullered, hatchet-point blade 25-7/8" long by 1-5/8" wide at ricasso that is unique to this particular pattern. The stirrup-hilt was cast in two pieces and is similar to that found on French M1767 briquet, but more robust in size. Purchased many years ago in Louisville, Kentucky by its previous owner in Louisville, Kentucky, it is possible that this saber was one of those sent by the state of Virginia to arm the troops of George Rogers Clark’s Illinois Regiment in 1782. Copies of the shipment documents and returns for such at Fort Nelson (now Louisville) are included with the saber’s documentation. These sabers were originally made at the Klingenthal Arsenal in France under a contract with the state of Virginia in 1778. Many of these Virginia grenadier sabers, which had a unique, hatchet-shaped blade, were issued out to arm volunteer cavalry during the invasion of the state in 1780 and others were given to commissioned officers of the Virginia Continental and state regulars in 1780-1781 and some had post-war usage during both the War of 1812 and Civil Wars. A good representative example of one of the rarest and most desirable of all Revolutionary War American edged weapons. CONDITION: The brass stirrup guard hilt is untouched with wonderful dark patina, just a very minor bend in the knuckle bow. Originally, this saber would have had “GRENADIER OF VIRGINA” etched on the obverse face and “LIBERTY OR DEATH” on the reverse, but the saber shows signs of extensive use and repeated sharpening over the years that have nearly obliterated all traces of the etching on this example, although the pre-1783 Klingenthal touchmark is still visible on the obverse face at ricasso; the blade is a mottled gunmetal grey with some freckling, while the hilt is a deep brownish-bronze in hue. JLK