Pattern 1830 U.S. Naval Officer's Sword
Culture
American
Dateabout 1835
Mediumetched steel, gilt brass, and bone or ivory
Dimensions92.1 × 76.5 cm (36 1/4 × 30 1/8 in.), 1 lb 10 oz (weight)
ClassificationsArms and Armor
Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection
Object number2014.362
DescriptionSlightly curved single edge steel hollow-ground triangular section blade for 3/4 length becoming lozenge section to spear point. Flat back extending to end of fuller & base of false edge. Both faces of blade identically etched with once-gilded devices reading from hilt to point: foul anchor, circle of 14 stars & running tendril with leaves & acorn. Gilt bronze hilt with pair of folding oval shells; obverse larger & fitted with appliqué of crossed branches. Under the folding shell guards is a spring apparatus to allow them to remain in extended position, now no longer functional.
Quillon block has calyx-shaped arms with acorn terminals. Knuckle guard similarly treated, but not stirrup-hilt form usually seen. Well-executed eagle head pommel with back strap; the whole finely carved & gilded to represent feathers. Bone or ivory grip carved as feathers.
Label TextEagle-headed pommels were occasionally seen on European swords, but the form came into its own with the establishment of the United States, where increasingly elaborate versions were developed during the early 1800s. This model has folding hand-guards, a common feature of naval swords of this period to maintain a flat profile for easy storage.ProvenanceGift to the Museum on November 29, 1967 from Mrs. John W. Higgins. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.
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