Collection Highlights
President Lincoln at Home, Reading the scriptures to his son and wife
Date:
1865
Object Number:
PR.052.52
Medium:
Paper
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Museum Collections
Luce Center
Sword w/scabbard: eagle on pommel
Object Number:
1953.3ab
Date:
1870-1883
Medium:
Steel, brass, fish skin, gilding; steel, brass, gilding
Dimensions:
Overall: 37 1/2 x 5 x 3 1/8 in. ( 95.2 x 12.7 x 7.9 cm )
Marks:
etched: on reverse of blade below hilt: "Shannon / Miller / & / CRANE / N.Y."
Description:
Sword with straight, double-edged steel blade with etched designs on obverse and reverse; blade is diamond-shaped in cross section; gilded brass hilt with grip covered in fish skin and wrapped with wire; counter-guard consisting of two shell-shaped pieces with emblems molded in relief, a shield-breasted eagle on obverse side and a shield superimposed on crossed arms on reverse side; reverse section of counter-guard is hinged and may be lowered when a button underneath is depressed; pommel shaped like a section of an inverted cone, with an eagle on the obverse side and a blank shield on the reverse; knuckle-bow decorated on either side with a pair of thunderbolts centering a flower; blackened steel scabbard with gilded brass mounts consisting of narrow band at throat, an upper band with two carrying rings, a middle band with one carrying ring, and drag decorated with crossed flags on obverse and a single star on reverse.
Gallery Label:
According to the accession records, this sword belonged to Lieutenant-Colonel William Brewster Overton of the 2nd Division, National Guard New York. Brewster is said to have worn the sword at the Brooklyn Bridge opening ceremony on May 24, 1883.
Credit Line:
Gift of Miss Clara Overton and Miss Jacqueline Overton
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
