Museum Collections
Luce Center
Sword, scabbard and belt in case: U.S.N., goes with "Ide" uniform
Object Number:
1967.20a-d
Date:
ca. 1940
Medium:
Steel, brass, gilding, fish skin, leather, textile
Dimensions:
Part (sword and scabbard): 38 1/2 x 5 3/8 x 3 1/8 in. (97.8 x 13.7 x 7.9 cm)
Part (belt): 42 3/4 x 2 x 1 in. (108.6 x 5
Marks:
in relief: on obverse of blade below hilt: "PROVED" (on disk inside six-pointed star)
in relief: on underside of counterguard: "USN"
etched: on reverse of blade near center: "U.S.N."
in relief: on reverse of blade below hilt: "N. S. MEYER INC. / TRADE
Description:
Sword with straight, single-edged steel blade with three-quarter length fuller and etched designs on obverse and reverse; gilded brass hilt with openwork oak leaf and acorn design on obverse of counter-guard with "USN" molded in relief on underside; grip covered in white fish skin and wrapped with strip of gilded metal; helmet-shaped pommel with oval cap (cast separately) molded with an eagle within a border of thirteen stars, and branches of oak and laurel separated by a flower; gold tassel on strip of metallic gold textile tied to knuckle-bow; dolphin head at juncture of knuckle-bow and pommel, and dolphin head finial on quillon; leather scabbard with gilded brass carrying ring mounts, which are cast in high relief and resemble knotted rope, and gilded brass drag with fish-like appearance similar to "dolphins" on hilt; shaped leather carrying case with leather handle attached at side seam, and flap cover with two straps that correspond to buckles on body of case; leather waist belt with slings and gilded metal buckle with embossed eagle inside circular wreath.
Gallery Label:
John Jay Ide (d. 1962), the orginal owner of this sword, was a great-great grandson of John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the United States.
Credit Line:
Gift of Mrs. John Jay Ide
Provenance:
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.