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.

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