General Washington Sword

[plymouthairrifle]

I just watched a Pawn Stars show where Rick held a hunting sword that was owned by George Washington. I was lucky enough to get to hold the actual sword that General Washington carried during the war. This was in the sword room that is part of the gun vault in the Smithsonian. In this room one wall was all U.S swords, one wall was foreign and one wall was all drawers with presentation swords. I can post some photos of the gun room if you are interested.

 

[UCVRelics]

VERY NICE.

 

[mofederal]

Something to remember. A true piece of American History.

 

[JOHN42768]

That had to be real thrilling experience for you.

 

[donna]

It is quite a photo. So many swords.

 

[FrankN]

Very cool! I'd be interested in any other photos you would share!
Frank

 

[captaindrew]

That's awesome! By all means lets go to the gun room!

 

[plymouthairrifle]

I am holding Louis XVI childs rifle and the file drawers behind me are all full of pistols. All the rows were three high. We were told we could handle anything but guns in the top row only if we really needed to. I also held Teddy Roosevelts 1895 Winchester he took on safari. Before we arrived we gave my nephew a talk on what an honor this invitation was and not to touch anything. As we entered the vault we were told we had to wear gloves and we could handle anything. This visit was one of the high points of my gun collecting!!

 

[plymouthairrifle]

Harry Hunter was the curator of the gun collection at the time I visited. We met at the Baltimore gun show and he invited me to come down to "His House" That was an offer I could not refuse. Here is a link to an article on Harry and the gun collection.

Around the Mall & Beyond

When not overseeing a collection of 10,000 rifles, swords and harquebuses, Harry Hunter and Sarah Rittgers like to go out and hit a few bullseyes

www.smithsonianmag.com

 

[James N.]

I just watched a Pawn Stars show where Rick held a hunting sword that was owned by George Washington. I was lucky enough to get to hold the actual sword that General Washington carried during the war. This was in the sword room that is part of the gun vault in the Smithsonian. In this room one wall was all U.S swords, one wall was foreign and one wall was all drawers with presentation swords. I can post some photos of the gun room if you are interested. View attachment 376182

I'm wondering how the sword got where it is now; at his death Washington willed four of his swords to as many nephews and two or three are currently at Mount Vernon. The others are what are termed smallswords, straight light weapons worn mostly as items of a gentleman's dress rather than this short but more substantial saber he wore throughout the Revolution with his uniform, and another heavier and more elaborate saber said to have been a present from Frederick the Great of Prussia. The two smallswords included one known as a mourning sword which was a simple, dark, and unostentatious one worn to funerals and other solemn occasions; and a slightly more ornate one worn at his inauguration as President.