Item is in excellent condition. Blade is clean and bright. Etching is outstanding. The etchings on one side consist of an eagle perched on a cannon barrel, an anchor, a scroll with “U.S.N.” and a sword knot tied in the shape of a square knot. The opposite side has the name “S. O. COWLES” etched near the ricasso. Forward of this are an anchor with US shield and a circle of 16 five-pointed stars. The maker’s name etched in the ricasso is “J. A. FREDK. HORR, PHILA. PA.” Horr is a known maker of Navy swords from about 1905 to the 1930’s. The leather washer at the ricasso is 100% intact. The hilt of the sword follows the pattern for all Model 1852 Navy swords with fish skin grip and twisted wire wrap. All is in good to excellent condition. Attached to the knuckle bow is a sword knot that is original to the piece. The surface of the knot shows some wear but it is otherwise very good. Black leather scabbard is also excellent. The brass throat, middle band and drag all have a matching light patina. Drag has customary dolphin figure along the bottom edge while both the throat and the middle band have the knotted rope motif and ring mounts. Throat has engraved interlocking initials “S. O. C.” for the owner Sidney Otis Cowles.

Sidney O. Cowles was born February 28, 1896 in Illinois. He entered the Navy as an Ensign on September 18, 1918. In October of that year he was assigned to the USS Minneapolis. The ship had just returned from convoy duty in the Atlantic when Cowles boarded her. The ship was transferred to the Pacific and arrived at San Diego, California on February 7, 1919. Cowles was promoted to Lieutenant JG but resigned from the Navy on May 15, 1919.

Item comes with research letter from the Naval Academy Museum.

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