December 16, 17, & 18, 2025 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/17/2025
This sword is certainly the work of New York maker John Bailey. An identical signed John Bailey sword with this exact hilt and blade is pictured in Figure 436 on page 488 of "American Silver-Hilted, Revolutionary and Early Federal Swords: Volume I" by Daniel D. Hartzler. The sword shown in the book has its original silver mounted scabbard signed "John Bailey" on the throat mount. The blade is slightly curved with three short fullers on each side, towards the hilt. The blade is stamped with four stamped heads by Johann Wundes and has "A ND RE A / F AR AR A" on the blade stamped with a letter on each side of each stamped head. The s-shaped guard terminates at both ends with an eagle quillon. Above the ferrule on one side, there is a chased lion with a stand of arms and on the other a chased eagle with trumpets in background. The ebony grip was once wrapped with a thin piece of silver with only a remnant remaining below pommel cap. The pommel cap has a chased relief shell and a lion with the chain loop in its mouth. Silver capstan on top. CONDITION: Blade retains a brown patina with some sharpening marks and nicks to cutting edge. Some light pitting at top of blade on unhardened section. Stamps very good. Lower cross guard section is bent towards the grip. Silver shows some high edge wear. Blade is tight to hilt. Grip shows some scattered minor marks and a very thin hairline crack. A very important early American New York silver hilt.