September 29, 2021 The Bill Myers Collection
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/29/2021
This hallmarked early American silver hilt is shown on pages 252-253 of "American Silver-Hilted, Revolutionary and Early Federal Swords: Vol. I" by Daniel D. Hartzler. William Northey lived between 1735 and 1804. He was born in Salem, Massachusetts. He was a Quaker and during the Revolutionary War, he strayed from his pacifist views and joined the Patriots against English commerce. He is listed as a weapons maker for the Committee of Safety and was "read out" of the Society of Friends. The wide, tapered, double-edged broadsword blade dates to the early 18th century. It has a tapered shallow center fuller. On the right side it is inscribed "NO ME SA VIS SIN RASON" and on the other side "NO ME ENBAINES SIN HONOR". This translates to "Do not draw me without reason, nor sheath me without honor". The silver semi-basket hilt features a branch on each side of the guard and a forward curled quillon. There are two branches on the right side and one was once on the left side. At the top where the knucklebow meets the pommel, there are two "WN" hallmarks in rectangles for William Northey. The oval shaped pommel has an integral turned capstan. The ivory grip features spiraling gadrooning and has a silver ferrule at base. CONDITION: Blade retains a dark grey patina, last 9" were broken and break has been professionally restored. Branch on right side of guard has a break just below where upper right hand branch meets the guard. The left branch is absent. Silver retains a dark pewter patina, hallmarks excellent. Grip retains a pleasing honey patina, some scattered marks and a couple very minor chips along pommel and ferrule at base. Hilt slightly loose to guard. A fantastic and important American Hallmarked Revolutionary War era saber. DMG