December 10-13, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2024
This short saber, with slotted brass D-guard and urn-shaped pommel, has been variously called a “British Fighting Sword” or “American Naval Hanger” in nearly every work on naval edged weapons written over the past half-century. This is largely due to the fouled anchor device engraved on the pommel, usually on the outer or “proper” side or sometimes on top, plus the lack of visible maker marks on the wide, single-fullered blades. It is, in fact, neither, but actually a sergeant’s sword of the Royal Marines, with a British version of the alloy "paktong" in lieu of brass mounts. With the exception of stands of arms, pikes, drums and camp equipage, the Admiralty provided the accoutrements, sergeant’s swords and sashes and colors for the Royal Marines and all such bore the fouled anchor device of the Admiralty Board emblazoned upon them. The sergeants’ swords of this form were procured by Admiralty (later Navy Board) by contract with various Birmingham makers, beginning in the 1770s and continuing until 1820, although there were minor modifications to both the blade and hilt over time. Most are unmarked, but this example has the mark of the Reddell firm struck on the spine of the blade near the guard: "JOSH H. REDDELL & COY.", a mark used by Birmingham cutler Joshua H. Reddell during the 1800s-1810s. Overall Length: 34 1/2 in. Blade: 29 ½ x 1 ½ in. CONDITION: the fouled anchor mark on the right face of the pommel worn and the grip missing the copper band wound in the grooves of the spiral-channeled, horn grip.