Help identifying sword

[raleav14]

Can anyone identify this sword? Sorry these are the only 2 pics I have at the moment. In quickly looking at it, I couldn't find any makers marks.
The blade doesn't appear to ever have been sharpened. Maybe just a ceremonial sword?

 

[UCVRelics]

What you have is an early pre CW eagle head sword which dates to post Rev war to after the Mexican war. Some of these can be Id'ed by the engraving. If you get a chance post some photos of the gold inlay engraving on both sides.

 

[bobinwmass]

Nice looking sword. I think your sword likely dates between 1821 and 1830. In 1821 regulations changed, now calling for straight blades on infantry and artillery officer swords. Swords from this era do display the blued single edge blade such as yours. By 1832, it seems many of the officer swords had langets added where the hilt meets the blade, so yours would appear to predate that. In addition, since I can see some of the original gilt present on the brass, I believe it was made for an artillery officer. Regulations called for artillery swords to be finished in gilt, infantry in silver.

 

[UCVRelics]

Can anyone identify this sword? Sorry these are the only 2 pics I have at the moment. In quickly looking at it, I couldn't find any makers marks.
The blade doesn't appear to ever have been sharpened. Maybe just a ceremonial sword?

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Here is a great link that will help you out.

https://www.americanswords.com/eagle-head-swords.html

 

[raleav14]

Is there a reason it doesn't ever appear to have been sharpened? Any idea of value? I'm looking to purchase but have no idea of cost.

 

[bobinwmass]

Most swords were not sharpened. Actually, if the sword had been sharpened, its value would be reduced.

 

[raleav14]

I'm saying it was NEVER sharp.. it's totally dull.. It wouldn't inflict much damage, unless swords are only meant to poke into someone??
Am I missing something here? Aren't they supposed to be sharp?

 

[bobinwmass]

No, they are not supposed to be sharpened. Officers swords were mostly symbols of rank. I guess if you really needed to use it in a fight stabbing your opponent with the pointed end would do job. Even most cavalry sabers of the Civil War were not sharpened. The sheer force of being hit by someone swinging a heavy blade would typically split whatever it hit, inflicting damage. I would recommend getting some good sword books and doing some research on swords of the period before getting too involved in buying. It can help you make good choices and avoid costly mistakes.

 

[UCVRelics]

I'm saying it was NEVER sharp.. it's totally dull.. It wouldn't inflict much damage, unless swords are only meant to poke into someone??
Am I missing something here? Aren't they supposed to be sharp?

As @bobinwmass stated they are more for show than battle use. Below is a great book I have in my library on these swords.

 

[Glen_C]

Welcome aboard

This eagle type is associated with Osborn and most often of British assembly. The timeline ranges from the turn of the century into the 1820s as surplus (see Wolfe NYC). Known as the weeping eagle.

Two of my three Osborn eagles have no blade etchings whatsoever. Both appear to have been sharp from the get go.

Some more Osborn type eagles and my overall clipboard. The latter a general worksheet for me, so might not always directly relate in context.

Osborn

Osborn - Google Drive

drive.google.com

Eagles 2.0

Eagles - Google Drive

drive.google.com

Some more of my eagles

The Osborn type leading the thread is possibly post war 1812, as it has the deposition type of gold wash, rather than the older fire gilding/gold filled.

Cheers
GC

 

[Glen_C]

Here is a great link that will help you out.

https://www.americanswords.com/eagle-head-swords.html

Simon Rycroft put together a great (but limited) set of pages and has posted here in the past. He has often deferred to my archive of images and tenure but it really takes a world effort to catch it all. I wish I could have offered him more than support of his efforts. Other eagle head pommel books aside from the Mowbray old testament are the Lattimer titles, the Flayderman/Mowbray(junior) Medicus Collection, Tuite on naval swords&dirks, Rankin also naval. Of course the oldest testament of Peterson also has eagle content. Furr's book a must have for reference. Thillman does ok on eagles but has a real gaff in isbn 1931464316 regarding one particular plate. Even the Ames history by Hamilton has a very important set of pages re eagle pommels.

Cheers
GC