December 10-13, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/11/2024
Three identical examples of this rare and desirable “monkey head” or “New England Lion Head” sword are illustrated in the late William Guthman’s Sept/October 1982 Man at Arms article, “Colonial Swords of New England: Part I – Lion Head Pommels”, pg. 38. Several variations on this figural pommel have been interpreted either as a monkey or a smooth-headed lion. This example is one of a small sub-group, three of which came from an attic in Maine, according to Guthman. They all have the same D-shaped slotted guard, cylindrical grips that bulge slightly in the center and taper on both ends, seemed feral between the guard and the grip, and pierced counterguard divided by a single cross bar. The pommels animal heads of this sub-group have pointed and turned noses, integrally cast ears, and toothless mouths. The blade is a triple fuller, probably Spanish variety, like the others in this grouping. As Guthman noted, the grip woods varied across the three examples he had, including one example with cherry, one with walnut, and one chestnut. This example appears to be walnut. While many other smooth headed New England lion or monkey pommels are attributed to this same group documented by Guthman, this is one of the very few that matches them identically. A rare example of a desirable and aesthetically pleasing early sword with a narrowly defined geographic source base and represents a genuine piece of American military folk art. CONDITION: Blade retains a light brown patina and is tight to hilt. Hilt retains a pleasing dark mustard patina. Grip very good.