Military Dress Sword with Whistle

Artistblade by Kirschbaum & Bremskey

Artisthilt is American

Artistfurbished and distributed by M.C. Lilley & Company (Columbus, Ohio)

Date1872–1900

Mediumnickel-plated steel, gilt brass, fish-skin and brass wire

Dimensions87.6 × 71.1 cm (34 1/2 × 28 in.), 1 lb, 7 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.354.1

DescriptionSteel, double edge lozenge section narrow blade tapering from long rectangular ricasso. Both faces similarly etched with arms of the Republic, martial trophies, strapwork cartouches. Gilded brass hilt with bilobated shell guard curved towards blade. Reverse lobe folds down on a hinge, formerly secured by a now-lost catch. Face towards grip cast with eagle & flag trophies on obverse & arms of the Republic & arms trophies on reverse. Straight rear quillon formed as bos'un's pipe.

Flat knuckle guard opposite, bifurcated below & linked to obverse shell, decorated at mid-height with Romanesque lightning bolts & flower. Terminal with foliate scroll, slotted for sword-knot, fitting into inverted, truncated conical pommel with eagle on obverse & shield on reverse. Slightly domed cap at tang with leaved motifs. Spiralled grip tapering to ends, wrapped in black fish-skin & twisted brass wire with brass, acanthus decorated ferrules.
Label TextThis is a privately obtained, non-regulation weapon for an officer, based on the U.S. Army’s Staff and Field Officers’ sword of 1860. The piece is generally typical of a number of dress and ceremonial weapons of the day except for the unusual feature of a whistle built into the base of the hilt, a fad that was at its height in the 1890s. In theory, the whistle could be used for signaling, though this practical function was of limited use on a largely ceremonial sword. The folding hand-guard was held in place with a spring-loaded catch.ProvenanceMacIntosh collection (#12); purchased by the Museum in December 1970. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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