AMERICAN FEDERAL PERIOD INFANTRY SWORD, OR POSSIBLY NAVAL CUTLASS, 1795-1810

$1,395.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 2022-798

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This iron hilted sword shows the “Republican simplicity” of many U.S. swords dating to the early Republic, about 1795-1810. It is unmarked and the grip is a simple cylinder of dark wood with just a slight swell, with a wide iron ferrule next to the guard and another coming down from the flat pommel cap. The blade tang was peened flat to blend in with the cap, which also shows a small tack on the upper side, likely to keep it flat and tight. The ferrules show as smooth metal, with some dings, and more gray in color indicating they may be steel or have been plated in some fashion. The pommel cap matches the knucklebow and guard in have a slightly crusty brown surface with shallow pitting. The flat knucklebow widens to an oval to form the counter guard, with then curves for forward slightly at the quillon, which is stepped near the top to produce a slightly tombstone shaped finial.

The overall length is 35 3/8 inches. The gently curved blade measures 29 ¾ inches and has a clip point with perhaps an inch missing at the tip. The lower portion of the blade has a thin, crusty surface along the bottom indicating it may have spent some time in a now missing scabbard that lacked its lower half. The upper portion of the blade is smoother metal. The blade has a single, narrow fuller running just below the back edge and running directly out from the face of the guard with no ricasso, generally and early sign.

The overall condition is very good despite the tip. The grip has a good original finish with only minor handling dings and both wood and metal are untouched. This would fall into the general category of an infantry sword or short saber based on blade length, though it might well qualify as a commercial naval cutlass as well. Those tended to have straight blades, but the grip is somewhat reminiscent of the Starr 1808 cutlass, which also used a full-blown cup hilt, which this sword seems to be heading for, and with similar overall and blade lengths. We leave that determination up to scholars and students of the field. It is, in any case, certainly American, displays very well, and dates to a very interesting period in U.S. military, social, and political history. [sr] [ph:m]

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