Ames Manufacturing Co. Presentation Sword, Inscribed "Presented by the People of the State of Louisiana to Gen. Winfield Scott"

Ames Manufacturing Co. Presentation Sword, Inscribed "Presented by the People of the State of Louisiana to Gen. Winfield Scott"

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Description
Sword: The blade of this sword is long, straight, and double-edged. The fuller is narrow and deep, and runs almost to the tip of the sword. The blade is decorated in floral sprays and scroll designs in gold chasing on both sides. In addition to these adornments, there is an eagle and a canon on the obverse, and bells and a liberty hat on the reverse. The grip is octagonal. The faces alternate between a gold plate with a sunburst design (reverse) or scroll design (obverse), and a plate made with mother of pearl which features nine rounded gold bolts, (there are four gold plates and four mother of pearl plates). The pommel consists of a cast of an eagle. The knuckleguard is a gold chain that extends from an eyelet attached to the pommel to an eyelet attached to a quillon. The quillons are triangular and each bear two scrolls that extend from the ricasso to the tip of the quillon. There is a large yellow topaz in the center of the ricasso. The langet features an eagle eating a snake on a plain medallion that has scroll designs on its top corners. The sword knot is gold and the bottom is shaped like an acorn. The mother of pearl on the grip is chipped and loose.
Scabbard: The scabbard has two gold mounts and a drag. The top mount bears an eagle with its wings spread in the center surrounded on all sides by a complex palm spray. The second mount is similar, but the eagle is seen feeding its young. The drag bears an oak spray. Between the first and second mount there is an inscription to the sword's recipient, Gen. Winfield Scott. Between the second mount and the drag there is an ornate engraving of military trophies and scroll and floral designs. There are three carrying rings on the scabbard, one on each side of the top mount, and one on the right side of the second mount. The scabbard is heavily tarnished, and the piece on the opening is completely detached and easily falls off.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
Sword
sword
Other Terms
Sword; Edged Weapons; Presentation
date made
ca 1848
recipient
Scott, Winfield
maker
Ames Manufacturing Company
place made
United States: Massachusetts, Chicopee
given by; given in
United States: Louisiana
referenced
Mexico: Veracruz
United States: New Mexico, Mexico City
Physical Description
metal; gilt (scabbard material)
metal (blade material)
metal; mother of pearl (grip material)
Measurements
blade: 31 in x 1 1/8 in; 78.74 cm x 2.8575 cm
scabbard: 32 in x 2 7/8 in; 81.28 cm x 7.3025 cm
overall: 37 3/4 in x 5 1/8 in; 95.885 cm x 13.0175 cm
overall, scabbard: 5/8 in x 2 7/8 in x 32 in; 1.5875 cm x 7.3025 cm x 81.28 cm
overall, sword knot: 1 1/4 in x 19 1/4 in x 1 1/8 in; 3.175 cm x 48.895 cm x 2.8575 cm
overall, sword: 1 1/4 in x 5 in x 37 3/4 in; 3.175 cm x 12.7 cm x 95.885 cm
ID Number
AF.41635
catalog number
41635
accession number
152161
Credit Line
Virginia Scott Hoyt
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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