Militia officers purchased their own swords and specific design might vary by company or even individual. This is a good example of the eagle head sword favored by many. The brass mounts were gilt and mother-of-pearl grip panels are bound with twisted gild brass wire. The cast hilt designs are a mix of foliate, mythological and patriotic. From the eagle head pommel the knuckleguard descends in a series of reverse S-curves, its flat sides bearing a mix of foliate designs with a central lozenge carrying what seems to be a winged figure standing on a globe. The reverse is plainer, with stippled areas and the central oval filled with two spear points and a roundel with Maltese cross shaped central flower in what might be a round shield.

The single, down-turned counterguard continues the profusion of motifs with a US coat of arms eagle with arrows and olive branch under 17 stars, co-existing peacefully with a native figure resting with his elbow on an American shield with a large scrolling ribband. Behind and to the center is a spreading palm tree topped with a liberty cap. Overhead is a band of swirling clouds. The quillon of the guard ends in an eagle head as well. The maker obviously intended a potential customer to find something in the design he liked.

The blade is a spadroon form with strong remnants of rubbed blue on the upper third or quarter of the blade on each side that fade out toward the midpoint of the blade. Both obverse and reverse have four small engraved foliate and martial designs highlighted with gilt. The base of the blade retains its red sealing pad at the blade shoulder. The reverse shows a dry point engraved maker’s mark and inscription “in Solingen.”

The brass scabbard is complete with both carrying rings and a frog stud. The obverse is profusely engraved with floral and geometric designs down to the lower mount, then with edge designs toward the drag, where the floral coverage again picks up. The scabbard has about 90 percent of its gilt finish, now subdued, but with some rubbing near the throat, likely from being carried in a shoulder belt frog.

A nice example of an officer’s edged weapon in the “elegant elite” of America’s antebellum militia.   [sr]

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