Collection Highlights
Plan of the City of New York
Date:
1776
Object Number:
LIB.NS3.M36.1.3ab
Medium:
Black ink, with pencil additions, on paper backed with paper backed with cloth
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Museum Collections
Luce Center
Sword and Scabbard
Object Number:
X.145ab
Date:
1821-1850
Medium:
Steel, brass; brass
Dimensions:
Overall: 37 1/2 x 4 x 1 3/4 in. ( 95.2 x 10.2 x 4.4 cm )
Marks:
etched: on reverse of blade, in banner above eagle: "E Pluribus / Unum"
Description:
Sword with straight, single-edged steel blade with half-length fuller and etched designs on obverse and reverse; brass, originally silver-plated, hilt with semi-circular counter-guard on obverse side with shield-breasted eagle molded in relief, and a short plain quillon (knuckle-bow missing); brass grip with incised scroll designs; pommel in the form of an eagle's head; brass scabbard with incised decoration, two carrying rings, shield-shaped frog stud, and knob-like finial at tip.
Gallery Label:
One type of sword prescribed for U.S. artillery officers under the Regulations of 1821 had a solid, down-turned counter-guard on the obverse side, such as this one has. An example of this type illustrated in "The American Sword" by Harold L. Peterson (p. 111) has other features similar to our example, including the eagle's head pommel and the short plain quillon.
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
