March 1-2, 2018 Firearms, Militaria & Sporting
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/1/2018
Many high ranking American officers preferred European sabers in the early 19th century. This sword conforms to the regulations prescribed to Marine Corps Officers in 1804 and is very similar to the saber of Francis Wharton, Commandant of the Marine Corps from 1804 until 119. His sword is on display in the Marine Corps Museum.
General Lafayette and General John Brooks met while under the command of General George Washington at Valley Forge in 1778. Brooks, who lived from 1752 until 1825, was very close with Lafayette throughout their lives. In 1824, when Lafayette returned to the United States, he visited Brooks at his home, where Brooks had prepared a celebratory dinner. John Brooks, Jr. was General Brooks' son and lived from 1783 until 1813. According to family tradition, he was sworn into the Marines in 1807 and he took a trip to Paris where he met Lafayette and was presented the sword as a gift for his father. Brooks, Jr. was also sent to France in 1812 as a courier for President Madison. The Brooks family swords are described in the book "Memoirs of Governor John Brooks" by Rev. Charles Brooks. The book states that "John, the son of Governor Brooks, had a sword presented to him by Lafayette in Paris. It had a rich sash attached to it. This sword and sash were on his person when he was killed in the naval battle on Lake Erie." John Brooks, Jr. carried the sword during his War of 1812 service. He was serving on deck with Admiral Perry when he was wounded on September 10, 1813. Two hours later, he died. Perry wrote a letter to General Brooks regarding his son's death and Brooks wrote back requesting his son's "best sword and sash". Brooks asked that the sword be sent to his elder son, Alexander S. Brooks, an Army officer and the administrator of John Jr.'s estate. Alexander then left the sword to his daughter, Lucy, who married Edward Livingston Keyes. They left the sword to their son, Alexander Scammel Brooks Keyes (1846-1909). The sword was passed to his daughter, Lucy Keyes Fiske, who left it to her daughter, Virginia Fiske Timberman. Virginia's son, Thomas Timberman, was the last owner of the sword and a direct descendant of General John Brooks. He sold the sword to William Dykes and there is a color photograph of the two holding this sword included.
The sword itself features a curved kilij blade with a wide single fuller on each side and a false edge extending back 11" from the clipped point. Both sides of the blade feature deeply etched 15" panels of blued and gilt decoration, including French Louis XVI Directoire motifs, wreaths, and other designs. Due to the absence of any symbols relating to the French Revolution and sparse military trophies, the sword is suitable as a Sword of Honor or for a Head of State. The panel on the left side shows six stars, possibly representing the highest ranking French officers of the period. The sword was probably made at Klingenthal, possibly a LePage, and has similarities to the French Sword of George Washington, attributed to LePage, displayed in the White House. The classic French-style hilt is made of cast brass and features high-relief foliate decoration, a semi-pistol grip pommel terminating in an elliptical disk and is engraved with a flower. The hilt features languettes on each side, engraved with acanthus leaves. Two-piece mother-of-pearl grips, which have been replaced, which is consistent with the damage that the sword reputedly suffered during the War of 1812. The brass scabbard is highly decorated and features four applied panels, in the French style, with relief scenes of Roman soldiers, arms motifs, and diplomats. Repousse foliate scrolls between panels, pierced asymmetrical brass drag. The sword is in excellent condition, overall. Brass has been polished bright and is coated with protective finish. The blade has been polished and has had some of the gilt background re-applied, retains generous traces of original blue and gilt, as well. Hilt has a small crack on left side, in front of knucklebow and a small repair on the strap under the pommel. Scabbard has some denting on the back. The sword is complete with a letter detailing the provenance and history from William Dykes Antiques. This is a very attractive and historically significant sword and is a museum quality saber!
Item Dimensions: 40"L