Militia Officers Sword in Peterson’s Museum Deaccession

divisor line

 

Presented is a one-of-a-kind officer’s sword
made for the American Market with a hand tooled bone grip, unusual pommel, and chain guard with a tag from the famous Phillip
Medicus Collection. It has hand patined museum accession number from where it resided for more than 50 years and various tags
signifying ownership. It was likely made to the personal design of an officer who had it commissioned with these very distinctive
features:
  • Pistol grip pommel
  • Acorn finals on the quillions
  • Shell shaped langets
  • Silver looking hilt common to the infantry,
  • Diamond section scabbard
  • Brass tipped scabbard
PROVENANCE: Purchased by Norm Flayderman, Wallingford Hall, Kennebunk, Maine on September 8, 1956; “From
the most important American Sword Collection of Philip Medicus, New York, New York”. Then to a museum, Accession number 56.3.4.
Deacession to benefit the Museum Collection Fund.
Ref. Flayderman, Norm. “American Swords From the Philip Medicus Collection”. Mowbray Publishers,
1998. Page 225, plates 109, 109a.
Norm Flayderman, one of the most wll known figures
in arms and edged weapons classified this sword on September 8, 1956 as, “U.S. Militia Officer’s sword and scabbard, 1830-1850,
white brass pommel hilt with pistol grip pommel.”

Flayderman is in good company since this sword is an exact duplicate of
what Harold L. Peterson describes on page 78 and 79 of his authoritative book, “The American Sword, 1775-1945“.
It is pictured on page 79 as illustration 70. The example in Peterson’s book was made by Ames in Cabotsville, Massachusetts.
This one is unmarked, but an exact duplicate.

 

DIMENSIONS: Length in scabbard overall 36″ Length of blade 33″ Width 1″ Thickness 1/4″ Length overall 29 3/4″ The hilt is 4 5/8″
Weight Saber 1 lb 4 1/2 oz Weight in scabbard 2 lb 1
oz


Its thoroughly documented history should appeal to a collector seeking the most unusual and highest
quality with a known provenance to add to a collection of the finest, and is prepared to pay for this privilege.

 

BLADE
DESIGNS:
The steel, etched blade has complex etched designs of American Heraldry consisting of etched American Shields
and eagle, Flags, Cannon barrels and Oak leaves with other sprayed foliage.
On
the obverse there is a banner with E. Pluribus Unum over a large, right facing, American eagle with shield, and fig leaves
and arrows in its talons. Below that is a cartouche comprised of drums, cannon and spike all profusely decorated with foliage.
On the reverse, closest to the hilt is a cartouche
with cannons, drums, crossed flags and pikes. Above that is an American shield with pikes and a cannon barrel. All are surrounded
by floral designs.
BLADE
CONDITION:
The double edged, deeply etched blade, has no maker’s mark. Both sides of the forward part have dark pitting.



American Shields and
eagle, Flags, Cannon barrels and Oak leaves with other sprayed foliage
The original silver
plated scabbard is in excellent condition with only one dent towards the tip on the reverse. Both suspension rings and its
brass metal tip and mounts are present. Nickel electroplating was prevalent by 1840 which helps for dating.
The tang comes through
the top of the pommel. The hilt is loose, but with a proper work bench can be tightened by peening the tang. The museum’s
accession number, E 56.3.4, appears on the front of the crossguard on the side with the back strap.

 

 

 


Distinctive features are Mameluke pommel, acorn quillions, and shell langets

 

 

 

 

 

Features of Hilt showing chain guard, accession number and Naval & Marine emblems

 

 

 



Diamond shaped scabbard with brass lower mount and tipped drag

 

 


A pedigreed sword made for the American Market of Unique Design

 

FLAT RATE INSURED SHIPPING to 48 contiguous States $35.00
OUR
UNCONDITIONAL NO NONSENSE GUARANTEE:
If not completely satisfied with your purchase it may be returned within
five days of receipt in its original packaging if without damage. Return items must be insured for their full value. Only
a prior email authorization from us for the return is required. Shipping charges are included in this offer if an error is
due to our fault.

 

International
buyers welcome, but you are responsible for knowing the import laws of your country.
We have satisfied customers
in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Democratic
Republic of Congo, Denmark, Estonia, England, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland,
Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Martinique, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Nova Scotia,
Panama, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, St. Maarten,
Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, USVI and the Eastern Caribbean.

 

ACCEPTED FORMS OF PAYMENT are Bank wire transfer, cashier’s
check, money order, or personal check in which case the item will be held until cleared. No credit cards or PayPal accepted
on this item.

Copyright 2014
– 2011 by Land And Sea Collection™, All Rights Reserved

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MILITIA OFFICER’S SWORD NICKLE SILVER HILT
Ca 1830 -1850

 

From the Philip Medicus Collection
Documented and pictured
in Peterson’s

Presented is a very rare sword of which only a few are known to exist. It has a hand
tooled bone grip with geometric designs, unusual pistol style pommel, and chain guard, and is made from what we believe to
be Nickel or German Silver. Even though it is unmarked, an exact duplicate was made by Ames Manufacturing Co., of Cabotsville,
Massachusetts. Both have these distinctive features:
  • Pistol grip pommel 
  • Acorn finals on the quillions 
  • Shell shaped langets
  • Nickel Silver Hilt common to the infantry,
  • Diamond section scabbard
  • Brass tipped scabbard
Norm Flayderman classified this sword on September 8, 1956 as, “U.S. Militia
Officer’s sword and scabbard, 1830-1850, white brass pommel hilt with pistol grip pommel.” This is the sword that appears
on page 225, plate 109a
of the definitive work on the Medicus Collection, “American Swords from the Collection of
Philip Medicus”, by Norm Flayderman, Stuart Mowbray, 1998. 
However, white brass is much too brittle to be used for a sword so we believe that it
is either German Silver or Nickel Silver, both of which are a copper, nickel and maybe some Zinc alloy, that dates back to
the late 18th Century in Germany. The metal became available in Birmingham, England in 1832 when it was developed to compete
with the German’s, and shortly thereafter in the United States.

Flayderman is in good company since this sword
is an exact duplicate of what Harold L. Peterson describes on page 78 and 79 of his authoritative book, “The American
Sword, 1775-1945“.  It is pictured on page 79 as illustration 70. The example in Peterson’s book was made by Ames
in Cabotsville, Massachusetts. This one is unmarked, but an exact duplicate.

 As described in detail in Peterson’s, The American Sword. 1775-1945“
His example is by Ames.

 

 

DIMENSIONS: Length in scabbard overall
36″ 
Length of blade 33″ Width 1″ Thickness 1/4″ Length overall 29 3/4″ The
hilt is 4 5/8″
Weight Saber 1 lb 4
1/2 oz
Weight in scabbard 2 lb 1 oz


Its thoroughly documented history should appeal to a collector seeking the most unusual and highest quality with
a known provenance to add to a collection of the finest, and is prepared to pay for this privilege.


 

BLADE DESIGNS: The steel, etched blade has complex etched
designs of American Heraldry consisting of etched American Shields and eagle, Flags, Cannon barrels and Oak leaves with
other sprayed foliage.
On the obverse there is a banner with E. Pluribus Unum over a large, right facing, American
eagle with shield, and fig leaves and arrows in its talons. Below that is a cartouche comprised of drums, cannon and spike
all profusely decorated with foliage.
On the reverse, closest to the hilt is a cartouche with cannons, drums, crossed flags
and pikes. Above that is an American shield with pikes and a cannon barrel. All are surrounded by floral designs.
BLADE CONDITION: The double edged, deeply etched blade, has
no maker’s mark. Both sides of the forward part have dark pitting.



    American Shields and eagle, Flags, Cannon barrels
and Oak leaves with other sprayed foliage
The original nickel plated scabbard is in excellent condition with only
one dent towards the tip on the reverse. Both suspension rings and its brass metal tip and mounts are present.
Nickel electroplating was prevalent by 1840 which helps for dating.
The tang comes through the top of the pommel. The hilt is loose, but with
a proper work bench can be tightened by peening the tang. The museum’s accession number, E 56.3.4, appears on the front
of the crossguard on the side with the back strap.

 

 

 

          Distinctive features
are Mameluke pommel, acorn quillions, and shell langets

 

 

 

 

PROVENANCE: Purchased by Norm Flayderman, Wallingford Hall, Kennebunk, Maine on September 8, 1956; “From the most
important American Sword Collection of Philip Medicus, New York, New York”. Then to a museum, Accession number 56.3.4. Deacession
to benefit the Museum Collection Fund.
Ref. Flayderman, Norm. “American Swords From the Philip Medicus Collection”. Mowbray Publishers,
1998. Page 225, plates 109, 109a.
 

 

 


  Features of Hilt showing chain
guard, museum accession number and Naval & Marine emblems

 

 



Diamond shaped scabbard with brass lower mount and tipped drag

 

 

SHIPPING this very rare item will require a secure,
insured method and will be determined after purchase.

OUR UNCONDITIONAL NO NONSENSE GUARANTEE: If not completely
satisfied with your purchase it may be returned within five days of receipt in its original packaging if without damage.
Return items must be insured for their full value. Only a prior email authorization from us for the return is required. Shipping
charges are  included in this offer if an error is due to our fault.

 

International buyers welcome, but you
are responsible for knowing the import laws of your country.
 We have satisfied customers in Argentina, Australia,
Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo,
Denmark, Estonia, England, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait,
Latvia, Malaysia, Martinique, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Nova Scotia, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania,
Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, USVI and the Eastern
Caribbean.

ACCEPTED FORMS OF PAYMENT are Bank wire transfer, cashier’s check, money order, or personal check
in which case the item will be held until cleared. No credit cards or PayPal accepted on this item.

Copyright 2010 – 2009 by Land And Sea Collection™,
All Rights Reserved

 

 

 

 

divisor line
Shipping & Packaging

The cost of shipping, packing, handling, and insurance to your destination, will be calculated point to point and is an additional charge. You may email us to get these costs. We price our shipping honestly, but we expect to be reimbursed for the nominal cost of packaging materials and handling.

Our Unconditional 'No Nonsense' Guarantee

If not completely satisfied with your purchase it may be returned, if without damage, within three days of receipt in its original packaging. Return items must be insured for their full value. Only a prior email authorization by us for the return is required. Shipping charges are refundable if due to our error within the continental United States.

International buyers welcome, but inquire first. We have satisfied customers worldwide.

Standard Forms of Payment

Bank wire transfer, cashier’s check, money order, or personal check in which case the item will be held until cleared. Our prices are quoted net to us so that the use of credit cards or PayPal incur extra charges. Terms on overseas sales are different.

Established in 2003

Celebrating 18 Years of Exellence in Nautical Antiques

Join Our Mailing List


By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Land and Sea Collection. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact