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Identification of U.S. and Related Swords
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Militia NCO - Artillery Sergeant's Sword |
The following sword is one that I cannot 100% identify. It appears to be a Militia NCO or possibly Cadet Sword, from the period of about 1860 to 1880.
The hilt is entirely of brass with separate twisted wire wrap around grip; the cross-guard and langet are very similar to Ames-made militia swords of the 1850-1860 period. The cross-guard quillons have a framed scroll-like pattern; between the quillons on the "front side" or obverse, is a pattern which looks like an "eight-spoked wheel" flanked by a pattern resembling feathers or leaves; the "reverse" side is plain except for "textured" background (as is background on the front). The langets are in the pattern of a shield and on the front side is a single raised dot about an 1/8" in diameter,(I am told this dot is a cannonball and represents an artillery unit). The pommel is integral to the grip and is attached by method of peening and deforming the tang; the front side of the pommel bears a standing eagle (grasping a branch), wings spread (rampant), head facing right. The reverse displays a winged shield framing a smaller shield; this smaller shield is worn, so any design cannot be ascertained. Below the pommel, above the wire wrap, is a pattern encircling the grip resembling wheat; the butt of the pommel has a floral or scroll-work design.
The blade is 27 3/4" long; blade cross-section is a narrow diamond shape ~ 1/8" to 3/16" in width. The blade is un-fullered; doubled edged but edges are flat, not sharpened. The sword is obviously intended for thrusting purposes as the tip is narrowed and sharp. Blade is unmarked, so maker is not immediately apparent.
The scabbard is 29 1/4" long, including drag. It is metal with "browned" finish as opposed to "blued" finish. The drag is solid brass, retained by one screw near the top, obverse. At the bottom of the drag is a pattern which is obviously the colors (flag, whose I do not know) draped over one set of lances and possibly draped over a second set in the background. The frog stud is brazed on and is ~ 7/16" in diameter.
Further thoughts -
The "eight-spoked wheel" has significance in most religions; it is an ancient symbol representing the cycle of life - often called the "Wheel of Law, Truth, and Life" - each spoke representing the "Noble Eight-fold Path" (the path consisting of the "right faith, values, speech, conduct, livelihood, endeavor, awareness, and meditation).
Wheat because it is sown, grown, and then harvested (reaped) is used to signify the cycle of "birth, life, and death, as well as re-birth."
Because of the similarity of these two symbols, I suspect this is a sword belonging to a secret society initiated after - possibly as a direct result of - the Civil War.
It is very possible the sword has "Southern" origins and the symbols signify the "birth, life, death, and re-birth" of the Confederacy." Other symbols - such as on the scabbard - lead me to believe this is a "militant" society.
Picture Reverse of Sword Hilt
Picture Obverse of Sword Scabbard Drag
Unknown "Cadet's" Sword ? circa 1892 ? |
The following sword is another I cannot identify. It has a blunt point and I believe it was a Military Academy (or School) Cadet Sword
The crossguard, ferrule, and pommel are of solid brass. The grip is made of a dark wood; possibly walnut. All design and patterns have obviously been filed and cut by hand. The blade is German made as this can be seen on the ricasso, partially obsured by entry of the tang into the crossguard; the blade has been adapted to fit the hilt. Running lengthwise on the blade where the tang enters the hilt is "MAD..." over "GER...". Very obviously "MADE IN GERMANY;" I do not believe this stands for "Mad German." Because of this marking, the blade must be post-1892.
The blade is 24 inches long and double edged; unsharpened. The tip is very round and unsharpened. The blade at the ricasso is about 3/4" in height, diminishing at the tip to about 3/8"; blade width at ricasso is about 1/8".
The scabbard is about 26 - 1/4" in length, steel, covered with black leather; the throat and drag are brass. The throat is 3 - 3/4" long; frog stud design is a "4 pointed star" with a single dot at the center point, all super-imposed over a floral or leaf pattern; stud is oval in shape being 3/4" in height, 1/2" in width. The drag is 4 - 5/8" long and has what looks like an "up-side-down crown" at the tip. The scabbard may not be original to the sword.
Picture Scabbard Throat and Frog Stud
Picture Scabbard Drag
Miniature Cup-Hilt Rapier |
The following "sword" is another I cannot 100% identify. It appears to be a "Child's Sword" (see article "The Young Cavaliers" in "Man at Arms" #3 1997) in the fashion of an early Cup-Hilt Rapier, from the 16th to 17th centuries. I do not suggest that this piece is that old, however I have been told it may very well be.
Overall length of the miniature is ~ 16-1/2".
The steel blade is narrow diamond in cross-section and is ~ 13" in length. The blade height at ricasso (where tang enters the cup) is ~ 1/2"; blade width is ~ 7/32"; tang is ~ 3-1/2" long and peened to retain the pommel. Blade shows file marks; nothing in a "sweeping" pattern as would be seen with modern equipment.
The hilt is entirely of iron with separate copper wire wrap around grip.
Copper wire wrap is ~ 1-13/16" in length, consisting of 37 to 38 turns, and appear to be brazed at both ends to prevent unraveling;
Pommel cap is of iron and is in the shape of a crude "thimble;" it appears to be in four parts, 1) first spacer between wire wrap and second spacer, 2) second spacer between first spacer and pommel "thimble," 3) pommel "thimble," 4) pommel butt-cap onto which tang is peened.
The cup of the hilt is ~ 2-1/2" in diameter, and ~ 1" in depth. It is "scalloped" around the full circumference of the rim, 16 total scallops; within each scallop is a "cut circle;" below the circles are 18 "cut rectangles;" below the rectangles, towards the ricasso, are 8 larger "cut circles."
The cross-guard quillons exit through slots cut into the rim of the cup. Cross-guard is ~ 3-11/16" across from finial tip to finial tip. Cross-guard is flat mostly except at finials, where finials are diamond in shape and pointed at the tip. On the tang, between the inside of the cup and the under-side of the cross-guard, a "ferrule or spacer" is present.
The knuckle-guard is "twisted wrought-iron" in the shape of a "D" with diameter of guard diminishing toward detached finial. Guard is attached apparently by inserting the tang through a hole in a flattened part at the front of the guard; detached end of "D" has a finial similar to finials on the quillon.
Further thoughts -
The ornamentation cut into the cup does not appear to be the result of modern tools; there are inconsistencies in the diameters and shapes of the 16 primary circles; the same applies to all of the patterns (rectangles, secondary circles, and scallops); they all appear to be "chiseled." The cup itself has no seam, and appears to have been shaped from a single plate of iron. It is apparent the cup has been "hand-worked." Some of the scallops appear to be "unfinished" on the edges (as far as "final-finish" is concerned). They are not smooth, nor polished in appearance; evidence of metal-work is visible. It is further apparent, a tremendous amount of work went into this unique item with file and chisel!
Blade patina is a mixture iron-oxide and body salts from handling, giving it a brown with occasional gun-metal-gray finish (files marks are present). Copper wire wrap has patina like and old penny. Iron hilt shows minor non-abrasive surface cleaning of outside of cup (although aging is nice); inside of cup appears to have "never" been cleaned.
The sword has a very neat, aged, well crafted appearance.
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