September 29, 2021 The Bill Myers Collection
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/29/2021
This sword was made by a Pennsylvania rifle maker in the late 18th century. It was purchased in 2004 at Green Valley Auctions in Mount Crawford, Virginia and is from the Estate of Dr. C. Sherrill Armentrout, Harrisonburg, Virginia. When purchased originally by Frank Kobilis, he consulted Bill Guthman. In Bill's opinion, it was was an American made sword and he dated it to the Revolutionary War period or earlier. The eagle head pommel of this form was used in Britain as early as 1750. Noted collector and Historian Frank Sellers did extensive research on the Armentrout family for the publication "Armentrout Family (1739 - 1978) by Russell S. Armentrout. The Armentrout family verified that the sword had descended through the family. The sword has an early blacksmith forged blade that is slightly curved and has a narrow deep partial fuller along the blade on both sides. The right side of the ricasso is engraved with a large star. The left side is signed with a large "PW" in block letters along with a large engraved star. The sheet brass guard has seven shaped pierced and a long teardrop shaped piercing along the knucklebow. Hilt is comprised of two very thin sheets of brass held together by a series of many small brass rivets or pins with punched dots in the centers. On the front of the guard, just below the blade, is also a large and professionally inscribed "PW", perhaps denoting that this sword originally was made by and belonged to well known gunsmith Peter White, who worked in both Bedford County, Pennsylvania and the "Emmitsburg School" of gunmaker's in Maryland. The engraving, straight line shading, and borders on both sides of the guard and knucklebow are nearly identical to that found on the sideplates and matchboxes of Peter White's signed rifles. As reference, there is a fine rifle dated 1794 that is signed "PW" in nearly the identical font. A portion of the original leather washer is still present between the blade and guard. Th knucklebow attaches in the mouth of the early and primitive eagle head pommel. The pommel has three deep flutes, one on top of the head and one on each side. The eyes and feathers on the neck are engraved. This is a very early and primitive chicken style eagle head. The highly figured tiger maple grip is tapered at both ends and is inlaid with spiraling deeply fluted sheet brass retained by small brass pins. Complete with an article about this sword by Gordon Barlow in collaboration with Frank Kobilis, Frank Sellers and Bill Guthman. CONDITION: Very good, completely as found and untouched in attic condition. Blade retains dark brown patina and blade engraving is excellent. Hilt retains a dark brown mustard patina, with some even heavier patina on guard and knucklebow. Grip is excellent retaining a pleasing original surface and beautiful striping. One small sliver (less than 1") of brass inlay on right side of grip, just forward the pommel, is absent. This is a very early, attractive and important American eagle head saber by a Pennsylvania rifle maker. PROVENANCE: Ex. Frank Kobilis, Gordon Barlow Collections. DMG