May 18, 2021 Early Arms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/18/2021
This is a scarce and well documented sword made by James Potter between 1779 - 1781 in New York City. After the Battle of Long Island among others and for the majority of the war, the city was under British control. Potter produced his swords at Maiden Lane, Manhattan for the British Inspector General of Provincial Forces. They were distributed to various Loyalist Dragoon troops. Units including the Queen's American Rangers (Simcoe's) and the British Legion (Tarleton's) are believed to have used Potter swords. Blade length is 34 7/8". 1 5/8" wide at hilt. The blade is marked "POTTER" just below the hilt. Like all of his swords, it is flat and single-edged. The hilt is 7" in length. The iron guard is the typical four-slot stirrup hilt that is usually encountered. This hilt also displays the usual high-domed pommel encountered on Potter's swords. It has a spiraling wooden grip with two very small pieces of its original black leather wrap surviving. There is slight evidence of a brass wire rope protruding from the ferrule at the guard. CONDITION: Good, as described. The blade has some evidence of period sharpening. The blade retains a mottled pewter grey patina, with some pitting. The hilt exhibits a dark untouched patina with consistent pitting of various degrees. There is a 1/8" crack that runs through the entire length of its wooden grip from the pommel to the guard, as can be found on almost all authentic examples and is due to shrinkage. Potter's swords were also highly sought after by American Dragoons and Cavalry during the Revolutionary War. REFERENCE: Erik Goldstein "The Truth Behind The Revolutionary War's Ultimate Sword", "Battle Weapons of the American Revolution" by George C. Neumann, No. 166.SS. DRG