Collection Highlights
Important meeting of the African Civilization Society, at the Cooper Institute, Wednesday evening, March 7th, 1860, at eight o'clock
Date:
1860
Object Number:
LIB.SY.1860.48
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Museum Collections
Luce Center
Sword w/ scabbard: floral design
Object Number:
1942.149ab
Date:
1861-1865
Medium:
Steel, brass, fish skin; steel
Dimensions:
Overall: 38 1/2 x 5 x 3 5/8 in. ( 97.8 x 12.7 x 9.2 cm )
Marks:
etched: on obverse of blade below hilt: "W. H. / Horstmann / & Sons / Philadelphia"
Description:
Sword with curved, single-edged steel blade with two fullers, one broad and one narrow, and etched designs on obverse and reverse; brass half-basket hilt with two branches on obverse side; grip covered in fish skin and originally wrapped with wire; helmet-shaped pommel with leaf border centering a flower; steel scabbard with two carrying rings and asymmetrical drag.
Gallery Label:
According to the accession records, this sword and four others donated by Mrs. Augustus Van Horne Ellis were used in the Battle of Gettysburg by members of the Ellis family: Colonel Augustus Van Horne Ellis and Julius Livingston Ellis, who were killed in the battle, John Stoneacre Ellis, Henry Ashfield Ellis, and Samuel Claudius Ellis.
Credit Line:
Gift of Mrs. Augustus Van Horne Ellis
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
