Ames Manufacturing Co. Presentation Sword & Scabbard Inscribed "San Francisco, Contreras, Cherubusco. Presented to Col. George W. Morgan"

Ames Manufacturing Co. Presentation Sword & Scabbard Inscribed "San Francisco, Contreras, Cherubusco. Presented to Col. George W. Morgan"

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Description (Brief)
Sword presented to Brigadier General G. W. Morgan for his service in the Mexican War.
Description
The blade of this sword is similar to those found in Model 1840 Artillery Officers' Sabers; it is curved and single edged. The fuller is broad and shallow, and extends about three quarters of the way to the tip of the blade. There is silver chasing on both sides of the blade. Both sides also feature military trophy and floral designs. On the obverse, there is an eagle holding an "E / PLURIBUS / UNUM" banner, and on the reverse there is a liberty cap in a sunburst. The grip is four sided. On the front, there is an inscription to Col. George W. Morgan, and on the back there are scroll designs and an eagle holding a US shield. The pommel is a cast of an eagle's head. Its beak holds the knuckleguard. The portion of the guard that the eagle holds is a casting of an oak wreath with acorns, but the rest of the knuckleguard is a thin strip of brass with laurel spray designs and two stars. The guard is also very angular; it extends almost directly outward from the eagle and makes an (approximately) 100 degree turn. It also turns at a 90 degree angle at the bottom, which helps to form the counterguard. The counterguard is a basic brass strip decorated in laurel sprays, (similar to the knuckleguard). All of this terminates in a quillon that points downward and bears a scroll design. The langet on the obverse features an engraving of a boat sailing on a river, surrounded by laurel leaves. The langet on the reverse is a blank medallion surrounded by an identical laurel design.
The scabbard is very curved, and features three brass mounts. The first features a casting of a vegetable medley surrounded by laurel leaves. The second is identical, except it is slightly smaller than the first. The drag bears oak spray castings and acorns. Military trophies are found at the very top of the scabbard, and the space between the top two mounts features a plate with a casting of a cannon and other weapons and trophies. The space between the second and third mounts bears an engraving of scroll designs under a cannon and an eagle's head. There are two carrying rings on the scabbard, one on the right side on each of the top two mounts.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
Saber
sword
Other Terms
Sword; Saber; Edged Weapons; Presentation
date made
ca 1850
recipient
Morgan, George Washington
maker
Ames Manufacturing Company
Place Made
United States: Massachusetts, Chicopee
referenced
Mexico
Physical Description
metal, gilt (scabbard material)
metal, steel (blade material)
metal, brass (hilt material)
Measurements
overall: 38 1/4 in x 5 1/4 in; 97.155 cm x 13.335 cm
blade: 32 1/8 in x 1 1/4 in; 81.5975 cm x 3.175 cm
scabbard: 33 3/4 in x 3 1/4 in; 85.725 cm x 8.255 cm
overall, sword: 1 1/2 in x 5 in x 38 1/4 in; 3.81 cm x 12.7 cm x 97.155 cm
overall, scabbard: 7/8 in x 4 1/8 in x 33 3/4 in; 2.2225 cm x 10.4775 cm x 85.725 cm
ID Number
AF.8956
catalog number
8956
accession number
37280
Credit Line
Mrs. G. W. Morgan
subject
Edged Weapons
related event
Mexican War
See more items in
Political and Military History: Armed Forces History, Military
Military
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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