November 15 & 16, 2022 Extraordinary Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/15/2022
By the time of the Federal period, John Lynch had established his business in Baltimore, Maryland. He made the majority of his silver pieces over a period of 62 years. Over this time, he accumulated 12 hallmarks that are attributed to him, as well as 3 different style eagle head pommels. This sword exhibits the conventional small headed, short beak Baltimore style eagle head pommel which was made in 2 pieces and soldered together. There is no step from the beak to the forehead and the feathered outlines are crudely defined but give the appearance of layered plumage. Nice detailed stippling around the football shaped eye. Slightly offset mouth. The knucklebow connects to the eagle just below the beak and forms into the ornate open double-slotted crossguard which terminates into a short quillon which is stamped with John Lynch's "JL" hallmark using an incise strike on the front of the guard and a separate oval cartouche with an eagle on a shield. A small ferrule is at the base of the bone grip, which exhibits traces of the original jade green stain. Twisted silver wire decorates the grooves. The blade appears to be English and features a slight curve with a deep single fuller just beneath the spine. CONDITION: The blade retains a brown patina with scattered pitting. The guard shows areas of black oxidation and is bent in a couple areas. Knucklebow loosely connects to the pommel and produces a slight wobble when handled. Grip exhibits handling wear including scattered grain and minor age cracks. Wire remains tight. A nice example of a hallmarked Federal silver hilt. This sword is featured on pg. 315 in "American Silver-Hilted, Revolutionary and Early Federal Swords, Volume I" by Dan Hartzler.
Paperwork
Excerpt from Book