Sword: The blade of this presentation sword is long, straight, and single edged. The fuller is shallow and broad, and extends almost to the tip of the blade. Both sides are decorated in blue, gold, and silver chasing. The obverse features a gold liberty cap and pole surrounded with floral sprays on a blue background, a gold eagle holding a "E PLURIBUS / UNUM" banner on a blue background, gold floral sprays on a blue background, and a variety of silver floral designs on a silver background. The reverse is similar, but instead of the liberty pole and hat, there is a cluster of military trophies, and there is a woman (possibly Liberty) holding a liberty cap and pole in place of the eagle. The grip of the sword is four sided and fat. There is a row of gold flowers along the edges and a floral design on the obverse and the reverse. The pommel is a casting of an eagle's head. The knuckleguard is a flat strip of gold metal with floral designs cast on both sides and a medallion with and eagle on the obverse. The knuckleguard terminates in a quillon in the shape of a ram's head. The counterguard features a figure of Ulysses half kneeling, with a female figure of Victory on his shoulder.
Scabbard: The scabbard bears one mount. On the mount there is an inscription with Brown's name on it, surrounded by floral designs. The rest of the obverse of the scabbard is covered in engravings of various scenes, like a battle with the cavalry, a large waterfall (Niagara Falls, perhaps?), and an eagle. The reverse features another inscription to Brown. There are no carrying rings on this scabbard, but there are two long metal hooks, (which presumably serve the same purpose), at the very top of the piece near the throat.
Sword: This Model 1860 Staff and Field Officers' Sword has a long, straight, diamond shaped blade. Both sides are decorated in a scroll pattern in silver chasing. On the obverse, there is also a military trophy design and a large casting reading "SCHUYLER HARTLEY & GRAHAM". A similar military trophy design can also be found on the reverse of the blade. The grip is made of sharkskin, and there is a twisted gilt wire that wraps around it approximately 12 times in a spiral. The pommel is vase shaped. It bears a casting of an eagle on the obverse and a casting of a blank shield on the reverse. The top of the pommel bears a floral design centered around the Capstan Rivet. The knuckleguard is a thin strip of brass, which modestly branches off at the very bottom to form the counterguard. The center of the knuckleguard features a casting of fairly simple floral sprays. The obverse of the counterguard bears a casting of an eagle with its wings spread and includes a number of flags, a US shield, and a cluster of laurel sprays. The reverse features an inscription to Brig. Gen. Frank Wheaton. The knuckle and counterguards terminate in a quillon that extends outward and is shaped like a horn. The quillon bears a casting of a lions head on the top.
Scabbard: The base of the scabbard is ornately engraved in an angular scroll pattern, and also features an eagle defending a US shield. There are two mounts on the piece, and each are a small ringcovering the scabbard and decorated with a thin line of laurel leaves. There are three carrying rings, one on each side of the top mount, and one on hte right side of the second mount.
This Model 1852 Navy sword and scabbard, closely resembling U.S. Army officers' swords of the period, belonged to Lt. Samuel Howard. Howard volunteered to pilot the U.S.S. Monitor on the very day she fought the historic battle with the C.S.S. Virginia at Hampton Roads in March 1862.
Sword: The blade of this sword is long, straight, and double-edged. It is also diamond shaped and decorated in blue and gold chasing. Both sides feature ornate scroll patterns and two flag and military trophy designs. The obverse also bears a "U.S" monogram and the reverse features an eagle holding a banner that reads "E PLURIBUS / UNUM". These decorations cover the bottom two thirds of the blade. The grip is twelve sided, and bears alternating vertical strips of plain silver metal and gold strips with scroll and leaf patterns. The pommel is vase shaped and covered in ornate scroll and floral designs. The knuckleguard is a thin strip of gold metal covered in oak sprays. A branch comes off about half-way down the guard, swings around the front of the hilt, and connects to the counterguard right before a quillon forms. The branch is also covered in oak sprays. The counterguard's reverse is hinged, and features floral designs underneath a medallion with the monogram "US" cast in the middle. The obverse of the counterguard features an eagle with its wings spread over a similar floral design. The knuckleguard terminates in a quillon that looks like an upside-down bouquet of flowers.
Scabbard: The scabbard is silver metal and bears three gold metal mounts, (the last of which also acts as a drag). The top two mounts are identical, and feature a medallion with a sunburst pattern in the center, surrounded by laurel leaves and other floral patterns. The top of the scabbard bears a thick gold ring around the opening that is adorned with a scroll design, and it is attached to the top mount. The bottom mount features a criss-cross design and turns into an oak spray pattern as it reaches the drag. There are three carrying rings on the sword, one on each side of the top mount and one on the right side of the middle mount.
Sword: The blade of this sword is long, slightly curved, and single-edged. The fuller is shallow and wide, and runs about 2/3rds down the length of the blade. There are floral designs and military trophies made of gold chasing on both sides. The obverse also features a scene of soldiers and cavalry marching outside of a city, and the reverse shows soldiers marching through an open desert. The grip is cylindrical. It bears a casting of a naked man on the front and of a (classical?) soldier on the back. The sides are decorated in a scale pattern. The grip turns into the pommel, which is a very large classical soldier's helmet. There is no knuckleguard on this sword. A casting of a large eagle with its wings spread make up the two quillons and the ricasso. The langet on the obverse is a casting of Zeus's head, and the langet on the reverse is the US coat of arms.
Scabbard: The scabbard has two gold mounts and a drag. The first mount bears a casting of the head of Hermes surrounded by a leaf design on top and a tile pattern below. The second mount features a similar design as the first mount, but with a blank medallion in the place of a face. The drag is decorated with scroll designs. The space above the top mount is engraved with scroll designs, and the space between the mounts is engraved with an inscription to General Shields. The space between the second mount and the drag is covered in floral and scroll designs. There is a floral/scroll pattern engraved all along the back of the scabbard. There are two carrying rings, one on the right side of the top mount, and one on the right side of the second mount.
Sword: The blade of this presentation sword is long, straight, and double-edged. It has a deep narrow groove that runs down the center of both sides, and is decorated in silver chasing with United States Army trophies and floral sprays, eagles, and scroll designs. The grip of the sword is gold mounted and encircled spirally with a long chain of laurel sprays. These leaves are set with pearls. There are 67 pearls total, (there are supposed to be 69, but two are missing), on the grip alone. The space between the sprays on the obverse is set with 13 (fake) diamonds. The pommel features a gold plated eagle fighting a snake which is curled around the end of the grip and part of the knuckleguard. The knuckleguard is decorated with oak leaf scrolls and beadwork, and the center of the obverse features a medallion set diagonally with six pearls, (there are supposed to be seven pearls, but one is missing). The knuckleguard terminates in a quillon that features and oak leaf scroll. The hinged counterguard on the obverse bears McClellan's monogram, "GBMC," in a fancy script and is surrounded by oak floral sprays. The reverse of the counterguard is more simple, and features an oak scroll branch with two acorns.
Scabbard: The gold plated scabbard bears three gold mounts and three carrying rings. The two mounts closest to the top of the sword bear a coat of arms. Under the coat of arms, the mount has been designed to look like tree bark. The last mount, at the tip of the scabbard, is the drag. It is covered in floral sprays. The top three quarters of the scabbard itself is also covered in ornate floral sprays and scroll designs. The reverse bears the maker's mark and the back of the mounts. The two mounts closest to the top are decorated like the bark of a tree, and the drag (bottom mount) is covered in floral sprays.
Sword: This presentation sword, given to Captain Edward Johnson in 1848, has a straight and single-edged blade. The fuller runs the length of the blade and is shallow and broad. The obverse of the blade is decorated with laurel sprays and an eagle. The reverse also bears floral sprays, but instead of an eagle there is a "U.S." monogram inside of a sunburst. Both sides of the blade, particularly the obverse, have significant amounts of pitting, especially at the base and on the tip. The grip of the sword is hexagonal. The center of each panel has a different military trophy, and each are surrounded by laurel sprays. The pommel is vase shaped, and is decorated in engravings of laurel leaves and scroll designs. There sits a large piece of damaged and fractured glass on the very top of the pommel. The knuckleguard consists of a thin gold metal link chain. It hooks onto the pommel and extends down to one of two quillons. The two quillons are shaped like owls. The langet on the obverse bears a coat of arms surrounded by a floral wreath, and the reverse bears a shield surrounded by a similar wreath.
Scabbard: The scabbard has two gold mounts. Each have a star surrounded by a laurel wreath atop a sunburst design. The drag is decorated with floral sprays. The space between the mounts bears an inscription to Johnson surrounded by grape vines. More grape vines are found between the second mount and the drag at the bottom of the scabbard. There is also an engraving of an eagle and coat of arms in this space. The reverse bears the maker's mark and another inscription. There are two carrying tings on the scabbard, one on the right side of each mount.
Sword: The blade of this presentation sword is long, straight, and single edged. Both sides are decorated in silver chasing, and bear an array of floral scrolls. The obverse also features multiple military trophies, including a liberty cap, while the reverse has a bald eagle. The grip of the sword is hexagonal. Each face is decorated with a unique floral scroll design, (except for the face on the center reverse, which has a diagonal striped design). The pommel of the sword is a cast of a classical soldier's helmet. The knuckleguard consists of two metal chains which connect to an eyelet on the pommel and to an eyelet on one of the quillons. The quillons are triangular, and each have two scrolls extending from the ricasso outward to the end of the quillon. The base of the quillons are decorated in palm leaves. The langet bears a cluster of weapons and a shield on a blank medallion.
Scabbard: The scabbard has three gold mounts and a drag. The top mount features a large cluster of arrows with a shield bearing an eagle in the middle, along with a liberty hat atop a liberty pole. The middle mount features a more simple cluster of arrows with a floral design. The third mount is an ornate display of flags and arrows and also includes a liberty hat atop a liberty pole, all surrounded by a leaf design. The drag features a simple oak spray. In between the top and middle mount there is an inscription to the recipient of the sword, Col. John Brooke. There are three carrying rings on the scabbard, one on each side of the top mount and one on the right side of the middle mount.
Sword: The blade of this sword is long, straight, and double edged. The fuller is deep and narrow, and extends almost to the blade's tip. Both sides are decorated in silver chasing. On the obverse, There is an array of military trophies and floral sprays. The reverse is similarly decorated, but also includes an eagle. The grip of the sword is hexagonal. Every side features the United States shield, (or two of these shields, in some cases), in the center of the face, surrounded on the top and bottom with laurel sprays. The only exception is the face on the obverse, which is decorated in a simple shingle design. The pommel is a cast of a classical helmet. There are two eyelets on the pommel and on a quillon where a chain would be attached to act as a knuckleguard, but the chain itself is missing. The quillons are triangular and feature casts of various weapons and a liberty cap surrounded by floral branches. Two of the quillons also have an eagle included in the design. The lancet on the obverse features an eagle and a U.S. shield, and the lancet on the reverse is a plain medallion.
Scabbard: The scabbard has two gold mounts. The top mount bears a U.S. shield, and the middle mount bears a shield with an inscription. There is an inscription dedicated the sword to Lieu Col Magruder between the two mounts. There is an eagle on the very top of the scabbard, along with military trophies, a liberty cap, and floral designs between the second mount and the drag. There are three carrying rings on the scabbard, one on each side of the top mount, and one on the right side of the mount In the middle.
Sword: This presentation sword, given to Colonel John Garland, has a straight, double-edged blade with a narrow and shallow groove that runs along its middle. The front and back are decorated in silver gilt with floral sprays and military trophies. The obverse of the blade also features a liberty cap. The grip of the sword features alternating vertical strips of mother of pearl and gold metal. The gold portion features a scroll design, and the strips of mother of pearl are set with gold bolts. The middle bolt on the pearl strip on the obverse is set with a severely damaged yellow stone. The pommel of is an eagle perched on top of the grip and holding a metal chain in its mouth. The chain acts as the knuckleguard and connects to one of two quillons. The quillons are decorated with palm leaves and engravings of weaponry. There is no counterguard on this sword, but there is a langet, which features small, flat medallion in between the quillons. The medallion bears an engraving of a soldier standing atop another soldier and holding him down with a spear, and there is also a liberty cap.
Scabbard: The scabbard has three gold mounts. The top mount bears a medallion with a coat of arms, surrounded by scroll designs. The middle mount features the profile view of a man on a medallion, surrounded by scroll designs, and the third mount solely consists of scroll designs. There are multiple engravings on the scabbard itself, including an eagle at the top, an inscription in the middle, and military trophies and scrolls on the bottom. The sword has three carrying rings, two of which are attached to either side of the top mount, and the third attached to the middle mount.
Sword: This Model 1840 Engineer's sword was given to George B. McClellan in commemoration of the Mexican War. Its blade is triangular, long, and straight. It has three edges. It is decorated in silver chasing on each side in floral patterns. There are some military trophies on the obverse, as well as a liberty hat and pole. On the reverse, there is an inscription reading "US Corps of Engineers". The grip of the sword is gold metal (possibly brass?). It is cylindrical and there is a casting of two rattlesnakes that wind all the way up to the pommel. The pommel is a traditional Model 1840 pommel, and has a plain Capstan Rivet, (as well as the casting of the snake's heads). The knuckleguard is a gold metal strip that extends straight out from the pommel and then turns at a 90 degree angle downwards to the counterguard. It features scroll designs on the top, and a star and arrows on both sides of the middle. The counterguard features a large castle, (symbol for the Corps of Engineers), on the obverse. The castle is surrounded by stars (above and left), a scroll pattern (below), and a large star (right). The reverse of the counterguard is plain and hinged.
Scabbard: The scabbard of this sword is broken in two. It has three mounts, and it is broken right above the third mount. Each mount consists of a gold plate with similar floral edges. There is a frog stud in the shape of a US shield on the top mount. There are two inscriptions to McClellan on the space between the first two mounts, and there are square and floral designs on the space between the second and third mounts. The scabbard has two carrying rings, one on the right side of each of the top two mounts.
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.
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.
This Confederate Naval Officers Sword was manufactured by Mole & Son of Birmingham, England and sold by Courtney & Tennant of Charleston, South Carolina. It was taken from a Confederate officer when the commerce raider C.S.S. Florida was seized by the U.S.S. Wachusett off the coast of Brazil in October 1864.