ID Officers Sword type

[bayonet]

Picked this up at auction recently and won it at a the lowest bid while the others like it went for 2-5 times as more. In the books I have the Scabbard, Blade, Grip, Hilt are not in question, it's the Eagle Head. No known blade shows an Eagle Head on this type sword. With all the sword makers jumping on the business during the ACW to include Jewelers I wonder if this was not made specially for someone. I do see that type Eagle Head in blades made around 1800-30 but this sword was no doubt not made in that time period. Any ideas?

 

[Cavalier]

As it happens I'm in the process of trying to order another book on American swords but came across one that discusses American Eagle Head Pommel swords from 1794 to 1830. Not sure it would interest you and I know nothing about the book myself.

John

 

[R. Porter]

At first glance I'd say that an old presentation grip and an early eagle pommel were added to an 1850's officer's sword.

 

[Glen_C]

At first glance I'd say that an old presentation grip and an early eagle pommel were added to an 1850's officer's sword.

yup

It is not something you'll find in the Mowbray book, or the later Flayderman Medicus Collection book. Someone has fitted that together quite well but unique as far as I gave seen. It does appear to once have had a silver wash overall, so I just don'know that it was a later composite. A German blade.

Cheers
GC

 

[Glen_C]

The variety of eagles is such one really has to have an open mind. Composites were sometimes a bit abstract but there are purposefully made oddities.

Here a possible entire Ames hilt but it might also have just been the pommel

So, there is an obvious Mexican hilt and Ames pommel but did they start life together. I believe the guard grip and pommel were true mates but the blade an earlier Spanish cavalry blade.

I have some other oddball examples filed but this one a prime example of 'stuff happens'.

Cheers
GC

 

[gjpratt]

Great pickup @bayonet I ran it by my vastly more knowledgeable mentor and sword expert @TLHS and here is his input:

Interesting.

In my opinion, all original.

Appears to not have been unseated.

Model 1850 Foot Officers, European, for American Market.

Like high relief casting.

Unique eagle head pommel with silver grips.

Even though it was NOT a Tiffany, that firm had produced for it's market an almost idential hilt configuration, especially the style of eagle head pommel and the narrowing of the silver grip termination at the pommel.

Very nice sword.

 

[R. Porter]

Great pickup @bayonet I ran it by my vastly more knowledgeable mentor and sword expert @TLHS and here is his input:

Interesting.

In my opinion, all original.

Appears to not have been unseated.

Model 1850 Foot Officers, European, for American Market.

Like high relief casting.

Unique eagle head pommel with silver grips.

Even though it was NOT a Tiffany, that firm had produced for it's market an almost idential hilt configuration, especially the style of eagle head pommel and the Ted. narrowing of the silver grip termination at the pommel.

Very nice sword.

And I thought the eagle pommel looked like a clumsy splice. Where the knuckle bow attaches to the pommel it looks to me as if the eagle is turning his head slightly; as if he is on a crowded bus and trying to avoid another passenger's inconvenient umbrella. Looking from the top of the eagle's head down his back; his head looks slightly tilted. I could see the grip as being part of the original sword, the eagle pommel looks like a later addition.

 

[Cavalier]

Its beautiful. Congratulations!

John

 

[bayonet]

Great pickup @bayonet I ran it by my vastly more knowledgeable mentor and sword expert @TLHS and here is his input:

Interesting.

In my opinion, all original.

Appears to not have been unseated.

Model 1850 Foot Officers, European, for American Market.

Like high relief casting.

Unique eagle head pommel with silver grips.

Even though it was NOT a Tiffany, that firm had produced for it's market an almost idential hilt configuration, especially the style of eagle head pommel and the narrowing of the silver grip termination at the pommel.

Very nice sword.

Thanks, I was baffled why I had no bid competition while numerous Foot plus Staff & Fields went for over $1000-2500. My winning bid was $500. Quite happy due to it's uniqueness. Maybe the unknown feature of it scared the other bidders. I knew the blade was foreign made. Up on the wall of the Man Cave it goes with all the others. Gosh darn it I'm running out of room!

 

[R. Porter]

Thanks, I was baffled why I had no bid competition while numerous Foot plus Staff & Fields went for over $1000-2500. My winning bid was $500. Quite happy due to it's uniqueness. Maybe the unknown feature of it scared the other bidders. I knew the blade was foreign made. Up on the wall of the Man Cave it goes with all the others. Gosh darn it I'm running out of room!

Sometimes you can pick up a real prize because it doesn't look the way it's supposed to. There may be a really interesting story behind the difference in appearance. Most folks probably would pass on by rather than explain why they bought this one instead of one that looks like the others. You'll probably start looking more carefully at period pictures now to see if you can spot it in a portrait or in the front lines at Vicksburg or Petersburg.

 

[bayonet]

About a month ago another well known auction house had numerous swords IDed and engraved to Union Officers. Low and behold there was one with the same grip and Eagle head attachment almost a complete match. Stupid me I should of copied and printed it out.