Collection Highlights
Old Christmas : from the Sketch book of Washington Irving
Date:
1878
Object Number:
LIB.PS2069.C4
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Museum Collections
Luce Center
Sword and scabbard
Object Number:
1939.506ab
Date:
ca. 1861
Medium:
Steel, brass, fish skin; steel, brass
Dimensions:
Overall: 39 x 5 1/2 x 3 5/8 in. ( 99.1 x 14 x 9.2 cm )
Marks:
etched: on obverse of blade near hilt: "W. H. / Horstmann / & Sons / PHILADELPHIA"
etched: on obverse of blade near center: "E PLURIBUS / UNUM" on banner
stamped: on reverse of blade near hilt: crowned male head in left-facing profile
etched: on revers
Description:
Presentation sword with slightly curved, single-edged steel blade with two fullers, one broad and one narrow, and etched designs on obverse and reverse; brass half-basket hilt with openwork leaf and scroll design on obverse side incorporating initials "US" and quillon with scroll finial; fish skin covered in charcoal gray fish skin and wrapped with wire; helmet-shaped pommel with oak leaf and acorn border centering a flower; steel scabbard with brass upper and middle bands with one carrying ring each, the upper band also with inscription, and brass tip with slightly asymmetrical drag.
Gallery Label:
This sword, identified in the accession records as a "U.S. Army officer's sword," was presented to Colonel John Stoneacre Ellis by the First California Guard Light Battery on May 30, 1861.
Credit Line:
Gift of Mrs. Augustus Van Horne Ellis
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
