Collection Highlights
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)
Date:
1805
Object Number:
1867.306
Medium:
Oil on linen
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Museum Collections
Luce Center
Sword, scabbard and shoulder belt
Object Number:
1932.131i-k
Date:
1870-1900
Medium:
Steel, leather; leather, brass; textile, brass, gilding
Dimensions:
without belt: 38 1/4 x 6 x 1 1/8 in. ( 97.2 x 15.2 x 2.9 cm )
Description:
Sword (saber) with curved, single-edged steel blade with broad fuller extending from hilt to within 8 1/2 inches of point; steel stirrup hilt with reverse P-type knuckle-bow pierced with hole for sword knot, plain shield-shaped langets and curved quillon with cylindrical finial; black leather-covered grip with ridges; bird's head pommel with backstrap extending to ferrule at base of grip; leather scabbard with brass throat with circular frog stud and brass tip with oval finial; shoulder belt made of white webbing with oval gilded brass buckle with applied eagle decoration.
Gallery Label:
This sword was part of the uniform worn by the donor as a member of the Veterans Corps of Artillery. His uniform coat, trousers, shirt, hat, and other accessories are also in the N-YHS Collection. The sword is similar to German-made U.S. Army swords in use in the early nineteenth century; however, it was probably made closer to the turn of the twentieth century and meant to replicate the earlier model.
Credit Line:
Gift of George A. Zabriskie
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
