Recent Find Eagle head pommel sword

[john alva'e]

My new eagle head pommel sword. I would say it is from 1820-1840 . I should have it in my possession in a week. I will post more photos. Looks like it is a product of Horstman company. It has a silver wash over brass. Possably Artillery officers. It has a the U.S. coat of arms the "eagle" on the langet. A broken bone handle that looks repairable. Your opinions and thoughts.
John.

 

[Sundance]

Very Nice and great that you got a scabbard. I love swords from that period. I would imagine there are several alternative ways to fix the grip. Congrats!

 

[66Jayhawk]

You can epoxy the hilt...very carefully. Definitely a Federal period sword...congrats!

 

[Glen_C]

The form is The type VI Widmann. Widmann died in 1848, with all his stuff and employees scooped up by Horstmann. The type VI continued with parts and bits from Widmann, until they were gone. I would be hesitant to place it before 1848.

I own a Widmann VI with a copper wire grip. These are tiny swords. It gets lost amongst its larger siblings. Silver for the infantry, yellow for artillery. Militia or cadet. Mine is more cadet calibre.

Cheers
GC

 

[john alva'e]

Thank you for all the comments. @ GC I have severalgreat sword book refrences. I did not see this one in particular in tbe book. Thank you for the information Sir.
John

 

[Glen_C]

Although later than a lot of the birds n this book, there is a great chapter about Widmann.

The American Eagle-Pommel Sword: The Early Years 1794–1830

The American Eagle-Pommel Sword: The Early Years 1794–1830 by E. Andrew Mowbray Second printing. Hundreds of illustrations. Large new color section. This in-depth guide examines the most popular of American sword styles. Discusses the facts and myths surrounding this paramount and handsome...

gunandswordcollector.com

I've not read Bazelon's Widmann notes in the military goods title. Fredrick Widmann.

This almost seems painted.

Cheers
GC

 

[john alva'e]

Although later than a lot of the birds n this book, there is a great chapter about Widmann.

The American Eagle-Pommel Sword: The Early Years 1794–1830

The American Eagle-Pommel Sword: The Early Years 1794–1830 by E. Andrew Mowbray Second printing. Hundreds of illustrations. Large new color section. This in-depth guide examines the most popular of American sword styles. Discusses the facts and myths surrounding this paramount and handsome...

gunandswordcollector.com

I've not read Bazelon's Widmann notes in the military goods title. Fredrick Widmann.

This almost seems painted.

Cheers
GC

I have that book. I will look for the sword variants in it today. I recieved tbe sword. It is marked "Horstmann and sons" under the flat on the knuckle guard. The brass on the sword hilt and blade is painted. The blade is engraved under the paint. I plan on carefully removing the paint. I would say the sword was produced 1843-1859 do to the publication of the Philadelphia buisness directory having them listed.

 

[Glen_C]

Yes, if you have the eagle book, the Widmann chapter is towards the back. The guard, grip ferrule and markings are a time after Widmann passed. If you also have the Medicus Collection book, you will see this guard on a few different swords.

The blade decoration is etching. A resist covers the blade and the design literally drawn (with stencils) through the resist with a needle point steel scribe. Acid, then washed. Mowbray goes into that a bit, also towards the back. The nitre blue blades have the added bluing but previously, all the color was developed just in the process of boiling off the mercury from the gold amalgam.

I don't remember what book this is in, a couple of pages

Cheers
GC

 

[john alva'e]

I used citristrip on the blade and brass that was coverd with the grey paint. I took my time. I used a piece of cedar wood shaped into a wedge and took the paint off also. I took my time. There is some touch up to do in places to finish. 99 % of the original patina stayed. A inscribed blade with the bluing and gold wash was once covering the blade. The handle will need to be stabilized. I am a believer that the less you do is really to much so. Not much more to do but wax the blade and display it.
John.

 

[JOHN42768]

You can epoxy the hilt...very carefully. Definitely a Federal period sword...congrats!

Welcome, enjoy