Description:
Physical Description
Hanger-type sword of forged steel with grooved blade. Grip of green-dyed ivory with silver strip decoration. Leather scabbard with silver trim.
Specific History
George Washington wore this simple hanger as his battle sword while serving as commander of the Continental army during the Revolutionary War. Made in Fishkill, New York, by John Bailey, an immigrant cutler from Sheffield, England, the sword has a slightly curved, grooved steel blade, silver-mounted cross guard and pommel, and a green ivory grip.
The sword was inherited by Washington’s nephew, Samuel T. Washington, an army captain. In his will, Washington admonished his nephew to draw the sword only "in self-defense or in the defense of [the] country and its rights.” Samuel's son donated the sword to the United States government in 1843.
Date Made: ca 1765Date Made: ca 1778
Associated Person: Washington, GeorgeMaker: Bailey, John
Place Made: United States: New York, FishkillUsed: United States
Subject: PresidentsRelated Event: American RevolutionRevolution and the New Nation
Subject:
See more items in: Political and Military History: Armed Forces History, Military, Military, National Treasures exhibit
Exhibition: Price of Freedom
Exhibition Location: National Museum of American History
Related Web Publication: http://americanhistory.si.edu/treasures
Related Publication:
Kendrick, Kathleen M. and Peter C. Liebhold. Smithsonian Treasures of American History, National Museum of American History. Treasures of American History online exhibition
Credit Line: U.S. Department of State
Data Source: National Museum of American History
Id Number: AF.32010Catalog Number: 32010Accession Number: 68016
Object Name: swordOther Terms: sword; Edged Weapons; Hunting
Physical Description: green (hilt color)ivory (hilt material)leather (scabbard material)silver (blade material)silver (mountings? material)bone (overall material)Measurements: overall: 3 1/2 in x 36 1/4 in x 1 1/4 in; 8.89 cm x 92.075 cm x 3.175 cm
Metadata Usage: CC0
Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a2-5611-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
Record Id: nmah_434865
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