Collection Highlights
William Pitt, the Elder, First Earl of Chatham (1708-1778)
Date:
ca. 1770
Object Number:
1864.5
Medium:
Marble
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Museum Collections
Luce Center
Sword, scabbard and sash: Army Medical Dept. emblem
Object Number:
1941.1166a-c
Date:
ca. 1870
Medium:
Steel, brass, fish skin; leather, brass, silver
Dimensions:
without belt: 36 3/4 x 5 1/2 x 1 in. ( 93.3 x 14 x 2.5 cm )
Marks:
stamped: on reverse side of counter-guard: "L. G."
metal openwork: at center of shoulder belt insignia: "V. R."
metal openwork: within circular border of shoulder belt insignia: "ARMY MEDICAL DEPARTMENT"
Description:
Sword with slightly curved, single-edged steel blade with rounded back edge and blunted point; brass stirrup hilt cast in one piece with reverse P-type knuckle-bow, curved quillon with disk finial, and plain, shield-shaped langets; grip covered in fish skin and wrapped with wire; leather scabbard with brass throat and tip, the former with frog stud shaped like an arrowhead; leather shoulder belt with silver-plated cast brass insignia with crown atop circular medallion with openwork design incorporating monogram "VR" (Victoria Regina?) at center and inscription, "ARMY MEDICAL DEPARTMENT," in circular border; insignia mounted on plain oval sheet brass backing.
Gallery Label:
This sword is identified as a "light dragoon type" English army saber in the accession records.
Credit Line:
Gift of John Ward Dunsmore
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
